POOR SOCIAL GRACES CAN RUIN YOUR CHANCES
Ben Udechukwu
In my interactions and dealings with most young people and unfortunately some adults, I observed that many exhibit poor social graces.
Let me put this in proper context. Young people are perfecting the art of discourteousness, entitlement mentality and overflowing ingratitude.
Many of them find it difficult to apply common telephone etiquettes. You hear things like: “who be this?”. This is response to a “Hello” coming from a strange caller. At other times, you hear, “Omo, please be fast, I don’t have time”. This is response to another strange caller who called from a Logistics Company, apparently holding a gift for the person.
These people drop calls they didn’t initiate; they talk to people rudely on the phone, they are those who can never put away their phones no matter the circle they find themselves (they will annoyingly tell you, ” I can’t stay without my phone”), use very irritating and annoying cliches, not minding who they are communicating with.
Wait for it! You ask someone to help you or mostly “dash” you money. Your ‘entitled impression’ is that the person must have and must give. He graciously transfers money to your account and all you could reply, sometimes after hours or days is: SEEN, THANKS. Others in that category are those who wait for you to still call them after you had sent them call credit.
Few days ago, a friend had called to inform me he received an urgent call to attend an interview in Enugu. This friend narrated how fare to Enugu could deny him an opportunity he had long waited for. I transferred money, I was certain would take him to Enugu. After some hours, the message I got from him was “RECEIVED”. Really?
I don’t know who needs to hear this, if gratitude was nothing, Jesus Christ would not have been particular about the man who returned to say THANK YOU. Many of those who you think are not interested in THANK YOU feel awful when you don’t say it. It is not even enough to say thank you. This must be said properly and promptly.
The man who “dashed” you money is not owing you. The man who shared data with you is not under any compulsion to do so. Quit that feeling of entitlement. Lower your wings and show proper appreciation. Stop wondering why people have not been helping you.
You don’t know what Social Grace is? Here is it: “The ability to fit into polite society and behave properly and with etiquette”.
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