The End of Courtesy - Almost!

Perhaps my experience of living in Canada is somehow shaped by my own personality and place of origin. Growing up in a small city in Eastern Canada I seem to remember that people were friendly, made room for you on the sidewalk, said "Hello" or "good morning" when you passed on the street, and were ready to give you a hand when needed. I don't think friendliness and courtesy have totally disappeared, it has just become more complicated to practice as our towns and cities continue to grow.  Then of course, many of those moving into our surroundings come from cultures that have different traditions.

Sometimes a local event will bring out the best in people. The recent record rain storm in Toronto actually provided an opportunity for people, especially those trapped in a rail car, or on the subway, to  reach out to one another. As one gentleman said he has been travelling with the same people on the GoTrain for years and never spoke to anyone. The day after the 'great rain' this week he declared he knew everyone in his carriage! 

Living in a condominium in a large multicultural city is also an opportunity to study what happens in a community of strangers. Since everyone depends on the elevators to get to their unit, the elevator carriage provides a locus for meeting neighbours in our vertical village. At first people were shy. It was not uncommon to step on the elevator and the only thing passengers had in common was standing mute, heads stretched back, staring at the flashing floor indicator above the door. All it takes is for one person to say something and conversations will begin. These past few years I have been making an effort to speak to people every time I get on the elevator in our building and I think there has been a change. You see the same folks frequently, and a few words will bring them out...well most of the time. There are a few who still grunt or don't even respond to a greeting. So the elevator becomes, at least in my mind, a simple example of what takes place in the larger community. After all, we are social beings and as such have a need to feel part of the society around us. Making the first step is always the hardest as you are never sure just what to expect. Most of the time the reaction is positive. 

I recently set out on a mini-cruise with some friends. I had first planned for just one overnight and so the boat was short on provisions. The other boaters in our little fleet reached out to me and I was well cared for and fed. It may only be one example, but some of the old traditions I grew up with were alive and well, at least among this small group.

As world weather patterns change, as populations grow, as resources are depleted, as governments fail to properly plan for the future the need for people to work together, to reach out to one another, not just for their own selfish needs, but for the greater common good, will become of paramount importance.

It goes without saying that the future of our great nation depends on our efforts, at this very moment in time, to care about, to respect  and to understand the importance of the common good and not just our own selfish goals and pleasures. Living for the greater common good always brings about the betterment of the individuals involved. If we allow courtesy, respect for others and a sense of community to die, our lives will end in violence. Just look at the history books.

And that's Dicks View of the World this Week.