When we don't use respectful words like 'Sir' and 'Madam' for our own teachers or officers before their names, it gives the impression that we don't respect or obey our own community members, but instead show deference to outsiders.
Interestingly, I've noticed that older individuals sometimes address younger people informally, without using respectful titles like 'Babu,' 'Tongo,' 'Poranya,' 'Chitti,' or 'Dangubi.' Incorporating these honorifics into our speech not only shows respect and gratitude but also reflects our values as compassionate and thoughtful individuals.
Unfortunately, manners and disrespect is limited not only to uneducated individuals but also even educated people exhibit this behavior. I struggle to understand why our community's mindset is so mannerless.
Recently, I visited Bhujayanti Bana Vihar to help with decorations for the celebration of Venerable Bana Bante's birthday. A younger woman, who is a teacher's wife and neither a friend of mine nor anything else, addressed me by my name. Although I didn't feel offended / bad as a civilised and an educated person, I am thinking about her children, who may adopt her behavior and address their elders disrespectfully like her. So, instead of addressing someone by their name, it would be more respectful if we can used the words like "Brother, Sister, Uncle, Aunty" or by their child's name as a title, such as 'Sita Bap', 'Sita Maa' and so on.
As parents, it's our responsibility to teach our children values and good manners. Instead, this woman is inadvertently teaching her children to be mannerless. Although, she is a wife of a teacher and a graduate by qualification but she seems to be mannerless in people's eyes.
I'm sharing this publicly, as both she and her husband are part of my friend list, and I hope one of them will come across it.
