MANNERS ON CARS.

Evening Star, Issue 22632, 26 April 1937, Page 11

MANNERS ON CARS.

TO THE HEITOR.Sir, —“ A.J.C. ” asks in' Saturday’s issue; “Are the present generation losing their respect for the elderly and aged?” The answer would appear to bo in the affirmative. There is evidence of this if one travels on the trams any morning about 8.30. On the South road tram from the Glen road it is customary to find the majority, if not all, the oiitsidp seats occupied by secondary schoolbtfcs. Some immediately arise in favour of standing adults; others, I regret to say, remain glued to- their seats with heads down. Conductors frequently have to ask them to stand, but matters reached a climax last week. The motorman pulled up the tram, and if he- didn’t try to drive some manners into the lads it’s only a shame, So much for the present generation—now for the older. In the early afternoon last week three passengers occupied the outside seat of a tram returning to the city—an elderly gentleman and two ladies. The gentleman occupied- a minimum of space at the edge, while the ladies (?), busy probably, in a discussion as to which picture show they would go to, spoilt the remainder of the seat. I say “ spoilt ” seriously because there was ample room to scat another, and to spare. A lady of between 65 and 70 years boarded the tram at the Glen read, and, as the cabin,was fairly full, she stood on the platform- Do you think these women made room for her? Not they. They sat there in smug complacency and allowed the_ old lady to stand hugging the rail right to the Exchange. I noticed a similar occurrence on the 5.30 car the same day. This time while ladies were standing inside the tram, another lady (?) occupied a scat with 9in each side of her. Do you think she would move either way to make room for another? Not she. She was busy gaping at everybody and chewing stick-jaw or something as if she had had nothing to eat for some weeks. Then, again, there is the common case where one arises and offers a seat to an older person who curtly refuses to sit down, and allows the seat to remain empty while both parties continue to stand, causing no little embarrassment to the polite person, but exposing tho sheer ignorance and lack of courtesy of the other. How frequently may one see His Worship the Mayor strap-hanging on a hill car, a toe on tho step, one Txand clutching the strap while’ the other controls an armful of books. I know we are a democratic counti’y where one is as good as one’s neighbour; but would it not bo a polite and courteous gesture to offer a seat to tho chief magistrate of our city, whether it be the present reverend gentleman or another mayor? It is surely not beneath our dignity to do this. There is no need for me to instance more cases. One can see similar occurrences on any tram route a dozen times a day and every day in tho week, three occupying a seat to hold four, or eight or nine talking up seating space sufficient for 10, while others stand. While I hold no brief in this matter for the younger generation, and freely admit that many are sadly lacking in manners, there is some excuse for them. They are young as yet, and perhaps a little thoughtless; but, like the wine, they will improve in time and become a real good vintage. For tho latter type of person I can find no excuse whatever. They are sadly lacking in even the rudiments of common courtesy; selfish, self-centred people considerate of nobody’s comfort or feelings but their own.

In conclusion, I feel that it is high time some of we adults put into practice, ourselves, what we would have the younger generation do. Believe me, the pleasure and. satisfaction one derives by practising the common courtesies of life, and feeling for, and helping the other fellow is still well worth while. It is not only the younger generation that is at fault.—l am, etc.. D.M.li. April 26.