Sri Lankan (Lack of) Etiquette -Outtta My Way Everyone!

Ever since I started writing these blogs, my fellow countrymen have been most obliging in giving me more and more encounters of their absolute lack of etiquette. I am thoroughly pleased as each person gives me an opportunity to expand my blog. Yet the side of me that is ‘Full of Etiquette’ sighs in despair as I amble along through these discourtesies of life.

I was waiting for the traffic to subside to get back home and thought of having dinner while I wait. (I eat early in an effort to stay healthy) As I needed to use the washroom, I placed the order and walked to the washroom. This particular restaurant grants you ample exercise in your quest to answer a call of nature. So much so that you need to exit one building and enter another. I went my way, did my thing and was on the way back to my table. As I was about to exit the building in which the washrooms are I noticed a family of five approaching to enter. I reached the door a second or two before the party on the other side. Being Full of Etiquette, I thought I will hold the door open for the first person as a courtesy. Soon I found that I was the self appointed doorman of the restaurant. One after the other all five of them trooped in. Not a single one of them even looked at me let alone thanking me.

Was I vexed? Certainly not. This blog was swimming in my head – I was thrilled. 

Let us look at this from a ‘Full of Etiquette’ perspective and appreciate the right thing/s to do.
01. The person exiting ALWAYS has priority over the person entering. In this scenario, the family should have stepped aside as I opened the door to let me exit. Therefore, they should have rightfully stopped at the entrance. Since I was willingly holding the door open, they (maybe one of them) could have entered while thanking.

02. If someone in your party does not do the right thing, please do the right thing yourself. You need not join the wrong clan.

03. If someone has helped you in any way or form, acknowledge, thank and if physically possible, do smile. 

04. Teach your children the correct thing; don’t make them oblivious to other people.

We think we are pleasant and hospitable, but my dear Sri Lankan friends, we are far from it. There are many aspects of our behaviour and etiquette that require improvement. Let’s be conscious from today and make good etiquette habitual.