TS,Tuesday March 15, 2011
The report “Ministry to revive a noble campaign” (The Star, March 11) stated that the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry would revive the Courtesy and Noble Values Campaign.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said there would be more television and radio programmes with positive values. Students in schools and higher learning institutes are to be instilled with noble values through various activities.
Superficial knowledge does not lead to real life practice. There must be good role models and concerted effort by all parties including parents, elders and leaders. Values can only be nurtured through training and example.
Rightfully, our august house of Parliament should lead the way. Instead, unruly scenes seem to be the order of the day, with lawmakers showing bad example and getting away with impunity.
Sadly, our elected representatives are but a reflection of society. We seem to have grown more crass than courteous. We need to be more respectful, polite and kind rather than offensive, rude and inconsiderate.
Yet we are always quick to espouse our so-called Asian values and condemn Western morals, yet much of our behaviour leaves much to be desired.
Courtesy is not a technical subject to be studied in formal learning. Everyone can learn it if they so wish in the “University of Life”.
Being repeatedly told on what is improper has little effect. Instead, students should be asked to write or speak up on what they consider to be discourtesy in society.
They should consider how they have unknowingly imitated something, and pledge to be more courteous, using their own words.
However, the exercise will be futile if carried out in a normal academic manner where notes are either distributed to the students or prepared by them through “cut and paste”.
Such compiled information may look impressive but are seldom applied because comprehension of printed notes is sorely lacking. Access to knowledge does not necessarily make one knowledgeable.
A more effective way is sharing with a group of students or within the class, each relating their personal experiences and observations.
Likewise, working adults should attend one-day training workshops to raise their level of awareness on courtesy through open discussions and brainstorming.
At the end of the day, they will be required to make a presentation on how they can become exemplary employees in the workplace.
The various trade associations can organize such workshops and sponsorship sought from the ministries overseeing their industry.
Courtesy is not only crucial for tourism but also essential for all industries, as it can raise productivity many-fold.
We have been less than competitive because the biggest battles have been fought within an organization or industry instead of in the market place or international arena.
Ultimately, we will discover that we share the same goals but needlessly quarrel over the approach. The obstacle is usually our lack of courtesy as we are often overcome by emotions.
The same scene is replayed in many homes every day. Petty family quarrels have always been a result of lack of courtesy.
It is more than greeting and appreciating one another, although this is a good starting point.
Courtesy is respecting other people’s time by not arriving late or holding up other people unnecessarily, delivering as promised, returning a phone call, replying an email, completing a job on schedule, and getting work done as paid to do so.
Similarly, organizations should demonstrate courtesy by providing facilities and information that are friendly to customers, suppliers and the public.
Courtesy determines our quality of life and productivity. It is the fabric of our society, which has been torn and tattered and is in need of urgent repair.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
No comments:
Post a Comment