Imagine a world that without courtesy. Chaos at the bank or supermarket counters because there are no lines; cars bumping into each other at intersections because no one follows stoplights; people trampling on each other's rights. It would definitely be mayhem. There would be no need for courts or judges since there would be no respect for law because that's what courtesy is about: RESPECT.
Where does courtesy stem from? I figured that it must have started with love, as in Adam and Eve loved God and each other so they respected His law. They did, until that wily old serpent came into the Garden and destroyed whatever respect (courtesy) they had for their Creator, and eventually doomed the entire human race to Original Sin. Yet, when they came to their senses, they asked God to forgive them, and tried in their sinfulness to respect and give courtesy once more to His laws.
So courtesy is respect, and respect should be given out of love. Many times I stand in line at the cafeteria for food and look at people trying to get ahead of me in the line and I ask myself, "Am I an idiot or what?" Why am I standing in line patiently waiting for my turn when others do not?" I guess the answer is courtesy, respect for the laws and rules. But courtesy has to start with oneself. If it does not, nobody is going anywhere and I too would be heading nowhere. We should learn to give courtesy to everybody whether it be the beggars in the streets, our little brothers or sisters who pester us, or people who many not have the same privilege we grew up in. We should trust that once courtesy is given, it will also be returned. We should try to follow the Golden Rule that states "Do unto others what you would have others do unto you."
But the practical question here is, does it work? Have you ever tried being courteous to your teacher, like not yawning in his class and instead listening to his lecture with full attention? Didn't he like you better and give you back that courtesy you had extended to him and listen to your problems? And let's face it, didn’t you learn more? You should show him courtesy. After all, he went to college to learn to teach you, he knows more than you, he is older than you and most of all he is a person. Try it, it really works.
So, I guess I should always remember that there are people out there who are courteous and respect the rules and love each other as human beings. Never mind those others who don't seem to follow any of the rules because as I said earlier, it's got to start with me and maybe, just maybe, if they see that I’m doing it, they’ll follow too.
MOTTO: Courtesy has to start with oneself; if it doesn't, nobody's going anywhere and I too would be heading nowhere.