Courtesy and tolerance

Eassay Outline

1. Introduction
2. Importance of courtesy
3. Choice of language
4. Economic influence
5. Smile a great gesture
6. Climax of tolerance
7. Effects of courtesy
8. Conclusion

Courtesy and tolerance are the two main features of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) demean our, which distinguished Him from the other noble people. These twin traits of His personality, with innumerable others, made His preaching agreeable and acceptable for the followers of divergent ways. He also asserted that courtesy would outweigh the other virtues in someone’s account before God. This is the pith that we have consigned to the abyss of oblivion and consequently lost the balance necessary for an ideal society.

Courtesy doesn’t cost anything. It’s only the matter of language which we choose for our responses and reactions. A society lacking in intellectual element seldom uses choosy words in matters of everyday life. Often they express their mind in rough tones and get entangled in mighty rages over trifles which can be avoided only with a slight change of diction. No one likes to be disagreed while disagreement is a common thing in routine life. In this dilemma, one may avoid any untoward situation by skipping the expressions of strong disagreement. Instead of saying “totally wrong”, “rubbish”, “nonsense”, it is advisable to say, “I’m afraid, it may be otherwise “and “I don’t feel inclined to ...“

Similarly, saying “no good” in place of “bad” is euphemistic. A harsh response is always remorseful. Only a few people know that many a negative and provocative expressions can be said in positive and pleasant form and that’s always a shrewd diplomatic gesture. With substantial exercise of tolerance you may make a rude realize his/her mistake and seek forgiveness while paying in the same coin certainly aggravates the matters to irreparable extent.

In social context, courtesy and tolerance appear more a matter of economy than behavioral science. The proverb “a hungry man is an angry man,” says a lot in this regard. The expectation of courtesy and tolerance from a penniless, in the scorching heat of June/July or from a weak and sick body is useless unless something soothing and refreshing slips down their throats.

That’s why the dinner table serves as negotiating table in Chinese culture. One may hardly find a person unkind at the wicket of a cashier in a bank while receiving remuneration. Likewise, after a hearty meal, one may not have the vigor to create a fuss.

Courtesy generates courtesy. Smile is a substantial part of courtesy and both courtesy and smile are not only contagious but also create a pleasant atmosphere. Did you ever ponder that we prefer to buy all the stuff from the shops where we come across the courteous staff.

Once a person asked the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that how often we should forgive our servants. He (PBUH) replied eighty times a day. Under this direction, I don’t think there is any clearance for maltreatment to anyone. And this is the climax of tolerance.

Being courteous is undoubtedly an innate charactistic yet it can be assumed and made the part and parcel of one’s bearing. When a family visits the members of another family first time to establish a new link the thing they particularly note and frequently refer to is their courtesy and sociability.

There is no dearth of such souls who are deprived of pleasant words at home and seek this treasure outdoor and hence spend a fair part of their day away from their so-called home. Ironically enough, their household complain about their aloofness and disinterest in home.

Generally, if this miracle occurs with a common man, he feels intoxication of courtesy throughout his life and refers the incident to everyone with great elation wherever he finds some chance to relate it.

To have a different approach or views is one of the basic human rights. All the religions of the world respect this right and preach to the mankind to honor it but the people harbored, on their own, a sense of hostility against one another in the name of religion.