Gone were the days....

Hi torchablazed

Your discussion reminds me the good old days when we were made to listen to fairy tales where the chivalrous prince or even a poor blacksmith was so full of courteousness and respect for the elderly or ladies! Gone are those days! We hardly come across ppl who actually practise this. Many seem to confuse good values and chivalry towards omen as opposed to gender equality. But senior citizens, irrespectively of genders, need this care from us! After all they are the ones who have shaped our future!

Thanks for a beautiful post!

I agree that the values and practices before were better than these days. But given the chance, I still try to keep and practise some of them. When in transit, I usually offer my seat to pregnant women, old people, kids and disabled people. As for my child, I keep on instilling the value of respect for the elderly as this is really a good value that should go on and on for generations.

Hi torchablazed

Yes, my grandparents too used to say a lot of stories. And I made sure my kids didn't miss this, they also used to hear stories from their grand parents, particularly grandmother.

I remember when, for some reason, my parents were angry at me, I used to give them a slip and take shelter under my affectionate grandfather. I felt so secured. wow, it was really wonderful time.

I tried to teach my kids that way. Let's see what'll happen in future.

hello.i just want to share a story.i was in singapore last week to visit my aunt.one day we went for a stroll.on our way home,people are rushing through trying to catch a bus.it was very crowded and people started to become impatient.together with us was a 4year old boy,my nephew.when the bus came,we luckily manage to find a seat while others were standing on the aisle of the bus.i tried to talk to my nephew if he could give the seat he's occupying to an old lady standing next to our seat.at first he don't want to.i told him that i could let him sit on my lap and that, i have a story to tell.maybe he was curious about the story and so he let the old lady sit on his place. the lady was so happy. she couldn't stop saying thank you to my nephew and was really keep on shaking my nephew's hands. my point is,if we don't want to let go of our good deeds,then don't.let's make our part in teaching the ones because what they will learn and will practice depends on us.and in teaching them,let's also try to live what we teach.you know, the best part of teaching is becoming an example ourselves...there's a sincere smile on my heart as i read this.i'm glad there's still people who cares...thank you..

Yes, ist certainly seems so " Gone are the good old days". People have become too selfcentric now and seem to be forgetting the good old values.

Having said that I'm a firm believer in those values and extend the meaning of them beyond helping and being chivalrous to even giving respect and following the right etiquette in the presence of elders or a lady.

I do agree that the values, good deeds etc are in a declining trend but .. i cant agree that they are a thing of the past. In fact, while coming back from college, i saw a young guy of about 16 give his seat to a woman as it was crowded and most of us were standing.

I know such things are hard to find nowdays. But its not like we wont ever see something ike that again. I know i did, and i think i am willing to give my seat, or open a door or help someone cross the street in case i am not late for something. I guess its a personal choice.

I really do think manners are a thing of the past. Sadly, people no longer seem to respect others, nor are they willing to make time to smile at someone in the street. Last time my husband and I used a train to get home from the airport, we both stood up for over an hour, although the carriage was half full of young people - some in school uniforms. We are middle-aged and not disabled, but it would have been nice if even one young lad had offered his seat. We were pretty tired after a long journey, and it would have been nice to have had a sleep!

I ride the bus and I still practice that. I offer my seat to the elderly and people with heavy/many bags. I allow the elderly to step on the bus before me and I hold doors for people. I think there are still many people out there who still practice these good manners.

One thing that bothers me is when people eat with their mouths open. I'm an Asian American that grew up with Western manners. I find it hard to enjoy my food when my sisters or friends chew with strange noises while their food is clearly visible in their mouth. I can understand when we're at non-western restaurants where slurping your soup was proper. But in my house CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED.

You're quite true..... "gone are the days"...when guys give seats and many other practices taught to us.I've got one experience years ago.It's a 45 minute travel to the bus terminal.I was sitting in front with my mother and a kid.Then one pregnant lady came up.Nobody gave her seat so i gave her mine.Maybe the guilt stroke one of a guy passenger he offered me his seat.Even the simple (mano) kissing grandparents hand are gone.Or the respect of saying "po" and "opo".I can see some kids in here they just say hi or hello.As with my kids i never failed telling them to give respect to an adult.If the parents now would forget all our practices then surely all these will be left to past.But if we keep on practicing it ourselves our kids will carry/pass it on to their kids to our grand children to the next generation.

My father used to talk about his good old days. I was kinda irritated by this most of the time. He always tell the the children before was so obedient and helpful, unlike with my generation. Now that I am a aunt, I am experiencing what father used to complain. My niece is so much different from my generation.

I still do the blessing of the hand, prioritizing old people when it comes to having a chair, I still obey with what my parents tell me even though I really hate it, I still do tradtional stuffs.

My niece however, does not even know the word "sharing". Anyways, I do still try to educate my niece with traditional must to do things. And all I can say, that it is really hard. Because she usually spends most of her hours in school.