A Recluse Out of the Hinterlands

While fashion may change with the times, having the right attitude never goes out of style!


Being Respectful - Politeness doesn't fade with time, while being rude or disrespectful to others has never been cool. Bear in mind that a harsh word can spell the difference between having a good or bad relationship with others. Respect begets respect---when you are considerate to others, they will show respect for you as well.

Say "po" and "opo" to elders, including your household help, the village security guard, and those who serve you lunch at the canteen/cafeteria. When you feel like you're about to have a brat attack (whether big or small), hold it right there. Think of the possible consequences your words or actions might create.


Being attentive to others - Giving your undivided attention to the person you're with shows that you're genuinely interested in what he or she is saying. Using your cellphone or checking your watch all the time while talking to someone can give the signal that you are bored and you wish you were somewhere else.

When talking to someone, look the person in the eyes and pay attention to what the person is saying. If you absolutely need to text or answer a call, excuse yourself. Think it this way---you wouldn't want others to listen to their iPod while you're speaking, would you?


Being Courteous - Remember when your parents told you to say the "magic words" when asking for something? Well, what you learned in kindergarten stands true until today. Saying "please", "thank you", and "sorry" are basic units of courtesy. These words show how much you value a person or an object.

Just because you're all grown up doesn't mean you're exempted from saying these simple yet often forgotten words. Whenever you say "please" or "thank you", accompany them with a smile. If you are saying "sorry", make sure it's a genuine apology.

Being Punctual - Don't you just hate it when you spend so much time waiting for people who are late? Being punctual shows that you respect other people's time. If your group agrees to meet a certain time for an activity, for instance, one person's delay creates a ripple-effect. Thus, the activity ends later than expected.

Being punctual is an attitude you must develop because it fosters professionalism, which you'll need in college and when you start working.

Avoid being labeled as the perennial late-comer by taking concrete measure like setting your watch in advance. Get plenty of rest at night so waking up early won't be such a chore. If you really have punctuality issues, seek help from others. Perhaps your friends can set up a reward system that will encourage you to come on time, every time.


Being Honest - An honest person shows courage by standing up for the truth or facing the truth despite the possible repercussions. just when you thought a little lie was harmless, it has already evolved into a rumor that can wreck a person's reputation. As the timeless saying goes, "Honesty is the best policy."

Unless absolutely necessary, stick to the truth at all times. But be careful not to confuse honesty with tactlessness.

If you want to tell you friend that she/he needs to improve her/his attitude, you can always do so in a nice manner. Being too up-front and argumentative might just her/his feelings.


Being Generous - Studies show that generous people are happy people. Why? It's simply because generosity invokes a sense of fulfillment that you were able to make a person's life better. It also gives you the idea that you have more than enough and your supply is full---that's why you are able to give. People also say that being generous attracts more blessings!

Do not wait for Christmas or a special occasion to feel the spirit of giving. There will always be someone waiting to receive what you have to share, so why not be generous now?

Generosity is not limited to material things either. Spending you time with others despite your busy schedule is also a selfless act. try going out and share an afternoon with a classmate who thinks he/she has few friends.


Being Patient - In this era when nearly everything is delivered faster than you can say "yes", the value of patience has become almost a thing of the past. The influx of everything "instant" has diminished the value of patience, when in fact, this understated virtue is a hallmark of maturity and perseverance.

Don't throw tantrums when the waiter takes forever to give your order. Even if you're entitled to good service, it doesn't give you the license to stomp your feet and be mean to the people serving you. Instead, focus your energy on telling the service crew nicely what they need to work on. In the same way, don't act out when your parents don't grant your requests right away or when you don't get what you want in an instant. Do away with the "I want it right here, right now" attitude, and remember that good things come to those who wait.


Being Kind - If an "unlike" button were among Facebook's features, nitpickers or judgmental people would be delighted. But who wants to hang-out with people who keep criticizing what others do? Kind people attract more friends because they look beyond the flaws and zero in on the positive.

Go easy on the nasty comments. Though you may be making a witty or funny remark, resist the urge to bash a certain celebrity or even what your crush's partner. Michael Jackson;s song says it best: "Take a look at yourself and then make an change."
Sometimes, being overly critical of others exposes the nitpicker's hidden insecurities. So remember, when you don't have anything nice to say, it's best to keep you mouth shut.