Though they are important, a building and its infrastructures do not make a good school. Similarly a house does not become a home by virtue of its material components. It’s humanity, which breathes life to what otherwise would only be barren material structures.

Some types of behaviour are unfortunately threatening the human culture of mutual respect and consideration. Some people seem to discard the latter as a waste of time or a wrong investment which threatens their immediate egoistic motives.

If one goes to the public beach to relax to the tune of waves dying on the beach and the wind playing in casuarina trees, one’s plans are likely to be spoiled by some ice cream seller, who will not hesitate to play his carillon unceasingly to indicate his presence to would-be buyers. This inconsiderate attitude is also displayed by those who would deliberately transform the beach into a football ground, discotheque or tavern.

If one comes across a man stuck to a wall and looking downwards while giving his back to the road, chances are he is relieving his bladder, inconsiderate of passers-by. Just imagine how a similar behaviour from his female counterpart would have been interpreted! In any case, civilization has long invented toilets for such needs and it’s a shame some people choose to live like animals in 21st century Mauritius.

At the bakery, it’s not rare to see fellow citizens feeling the bread painstakingly before choosing the best for their home, leaving their sweat and germs on the ones left behind. The same ritual applies when they choose vegetables and fruits. Their only motive is to get the best while worsening the rest for others...

Some unscrupulous people do not hesitate to help themselves from other people’s fruit trees. While drug abusers are often suspected of plundering fruits to quick sale them for a fix, some children deficient in education and leisure are also out for this type of activity especially during school holidays.

Some people engaged in construction, unscrupulously mix their mortar on the roads rather than on their premises. Some might even be puzzled at the sight of a disapproving grimace from road users who try to avoid the mixture of wet cement and sand. Others may even request a waiting time pending the loading of the mortar in the wheelbarrow…

Words like ‘thank you, please, good day and sorry’ together with a smile seem to be unknown to some uncultivated people who wrongly perceive courtesy as subordination.

Together with the difficulty of finding a fellow driver who will give way to you on a main road or coming across one who will make a sign of thanks following courteous behaviour towards him, these are but few examples of discourteous and inconsiderate behaviour. They should be addressed as quickly as possible before they insidiously come to be accepted as the norm.

There should be no place for disrespect and impoliteness in a country renowned for its multicultural harmony, legendary welcome and warm culture. It’s only through fraternity and courtesy that we will keep the flame burning.

<B>Alain JEANNOT</B>