Long-time back I saw an English war movie, where a Colonel in anger raised his hand, on one of the solders. A displeasure started breeding among the solders. The General called the Colonel, and said that not only what he did was wrong, but was also on a wrong time! The unit was preparing, to go to the war front, and in such time, the unity of the solders, a must for a good war. He further ordered the Colonel that, he should call that soldier, and in privacy, should apologise for his mistake.
The Colonel, a good soldier, understood his folly. He called a large meeting of all the soldiers. Standing on a platform, he addressed all the solders, apologised profusely, for breaking the rule of the Army and also hurting the sentiment of a good soldier. He said it so sincerely, that the whole crowd raised a cheer, and the battle was won.
The reason for writing this story is, I find many of the younger generation think, saying the simple word “SORRY” is demeaning. One of my friends said he will never ever say sorry, as he had not done any wrong, and had been taught that, saying sorry is like going on your knees and begging. I was really shocked.
The word sorry, is not for a crime we committed, but it is a pleasant and positive way, to carry on a conversation, to avoid hurting others sentiment. If you by mistake, bump into someone and say “Sorry” it is not, that you are apologising for a crime. It is good manners of handling a situation.
In fact, when the child is just around 10 months old, and start uttering their first words, we teach them to say three words, Thank you, Sorry and Please! We use them a million times in our conversations every day. Being polite, is a sign of humility, and not demeaning. We have to teach our kids the importance of this.
With the Virus Corona dancing for 2 years in the country, the schools were conducted online and sadly, most of our children have forgotten good manners. Most of them, by habit, talk very rudely to teachers or elders, hardly even realising that their conversation was not polite
I strangely met a friend here, who said that he had not and will not ever say SORRY, as it is owing an error which sometimes you had not done or it is demeaning to your self-respect. I tried my best to explain, that saying Sorry is not accepting, that you are wrong, but many times, we use Sorry, just to diffuse the tension breeding in the situation, or sometimes, to maintain our relationship with our dear ones. If your dear one is angry, and not understanding what we are saying, it is better to say Sorry, and cool the situation. Later, the person will realise their mistake and will come back to you to apologize.
Dear friends, I request, one and all of you, please watch the language of the younger generation, around you. Even as elders, you please choose your words, and language carefully so that you convey the point, but do not sound rude.
As your children learn more from your actions, than what you preach, always be polite even to your help at home, like a Driver or maid. If they are wrong, explain to them the facts politely. Never be aggressive, and use abusive words, to show that you are their master! This will produce a great learning situation for your kid. They will talk to you too, politely and never give a back answer.
Please parents, teachers or elders, use polite language with everyone. Especially to children around you, whether yours or children of the neighbourhood, and in this way please teach them that being polite and humble is the true way to success.
From a teacher, to the parents 