"Be kind to a new friend on Common Courtesy Day"
March 13
On Common Courtesy Day, Harnoor Gill, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, urges us to take the time to smile and offer kindness to those around us, especially newcomers.
“Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American lecturer, essayist, and poet who was seen as a champion in what he did for America through individualism as well as common courtesy.
I’d like to reflect on what Common Courtesy Day is all about, how you can be a part of it, ways of telling others about this amazing way of gaining and giving respect, and how newcomers to Canada can learn from these perspectives as well.
Common Courtesy Day is a day where you are considerate to everyone, whether a family member, stranger or an immigrant to Canada. This day, celebrated on March 21st of each year, is to promote respect in this fast-paced culture of ours.
One easy way to participate would be to say hello to everyone with your very best red-carpet smile. Or another simple way to show courtesy: be gentle and hold the door open for the next person in a supermarket or movie theatre. If people around you are trying to listen to something, try to remain quiet. Moreover, if you ever happen to have the need to speak, try to keep your voice down respectfully for the greater good of everybody.
You can take part in this amazing day by doing the generous acts that I have mentioned above towards newcomers in the area, family members or even a new best friend. As a representative of Peace Welcome Club (PWC), I can confidently say that newcomers entering Canada are generally shy because it’s a brand new place for them. So, on this year’s special day, why not get into the spirit and be courteous towards a newcomer in town for the greater benefit of the community? This mutual respect will soon engage that very same youth to do the same for a “new” newcomer that comes into town next time as well. This is just one of the many ways and chances for you to participate. Thus, you will create a good atmosphere that will bring out the best in everyone.
Now is the moment for your task of getting everyone to be courteous to each other on this extraordinary day by spreading the word about it. In order to accomplish this in the best way, take a moment to communicate via internet with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and even through constant e-mails. This is about getting people to know what you’re achieving through Common Courtesy Day. People all across this world will start to give each other respect, as well as gain respect at the same time.
My main point is that newcomers, who are a part of Canada now, should be thoroughly surprised on this day to learn how nicely Canada can treat them on this exuberant Common Courtesy Day. These newcomers will then appreciate the amount of respect they are given no matter what they look like, where they are from or what their life experience has been thus far. The point is that newcomers will feel welcome and will want to give back one way or another by showing the respect that they were given as a “new” newcomer.
On this special day, I must commend one of my community heroes, Mr. Iqbal Mahal who is a veteran and versatile broadcaster, and a literary author living in Canada since 1968. I had the opportunity to interact with him and to no surprise he is the perfect example of being “courteous”! It was a pleasure meeting him and knowing him while promoting the volunteer opportunities through my initiatives on Peace Welcome Club.
I believe that this holiday should be celebrated each and every day across this great nation of ours. You can help make that happen by going that extra mile to stay courteous to others around you on Common Courtesy Day.
So, let’s celebrate the best Common Courtesy Day that has ever been!
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About me: I am a student in Georgetown, Canada, and founder of the Peace Welcome Club. I love to volunteer, read, write, and play basketball. I volunteer with local environmental and youth organizations and am dedicated to raising awareness about youth volunteering. My writing has been published in Indo-Canadian Voice, Asian Journal, Times of India, The Independent & Free Press, and in Amazing Kids! Magazine.
https://www.facebook.com/PeaceWelcomeClub
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response.
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/
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