Because of what happen yesterday got me thinking about what is the meaning of courtesy in Today's world. A world where we have Meetup and the likes. All these online events entails one basic courtesy from us - RSVP. If we sign up to join this event and we have something last minute, courtesy entails us to change our RSVP to a 'No' (I will not be able to attend). And should we join this event but decided to leave halfway, the organisers had repeatedly mention that out of courtesy, please at least inform one of them that you had to drop out because something crop up in the middle of the event etc. I was constantly reminded of this word 'Courtesy' and how much it is valued in events like this. Why? Because it had been a rather large turnout and while the organisers are not responsible for our well-being, out of goodwill they would like to still be able to account for everybody by the end of the event.
So what if we turn the situation the other way. A letter was sent to us to inform us that a house visit will take place at a stipulated date and time. To me that is like making an appointment with me. And obviously knowing that these people put in effort and sincerity, the least I can do is to just stay at home and welcome them right? But what if they did not even turn up? And there was no notification or explanation why they couldn't make it and we were left waiting wistfully for them? Is this what courtesy entails in Today's world?
Isn't it like Chinese New Year visits where your relative calls you and let you know that they will be visiting you. Obviously time tends to be fluid because they have stagger a couple of visits along the way. And of course if they really cannot make it, they will call you and let you know so that you will not be waiting for them the whole day. That to me is basic courtesy because you could then go on with your own errands and not wait fruitlessly.
And while I do express my thoughts aloud, I know that their response will not mollify my disappointment. After all I know right from the beginning they will not make another house visit, and besides I no longer trust them to keep their promise. And I really wonder how much can I trust the next house visit letter notification I received in Today's World.
p/s: I would like to re-iterate that I appreciate the efforts of the volunteers (students & teachers & grassroot leaders) for putting the effort to deliver the package. I know that in other constituencies, people has to personally collect their own funpack. To me, I don't mind if I have to self-collect it either. My issue here is on what courtesy entails in Today's world when we receive a notification letter that a house visit will be made. And to put it into another perspective, if for e.g. the volunteers really did visit my house but I choose to ignore it and had gone out, likewise, have I been courteous and respectful of these people who made the efforts? It seems that respect is getting harder and harder to earn in Today's World.
