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Most of us like to think that we have good manners. We regularly say, 'thanks' and 'thank you', let others exit lifts and trains before entering them, and say 'sorry' when asking people to move out of our way. Sounds good, right? The Cambridge English dictionary defines manners as "ways of behaving toward people, especially ways that are socially correct and show respect to their comfort and feelings". By and large, we are treating others the way we wish to be treated, so aren't acting rude, right? I certainly don't think we are. However, an experience at work made me realise that we can and should always try to be better. Photo: Tim Mossholder, Unsplash Last week, as I exited the office on my way to the loo, two visitors approached me and asked whether a particular colleague was around. I'm ashamed to admit this, but in the past, I'd have replied something along the lines of, "Does she know you're here?" or "Have you called her?" and they said yes, I'd be on my way. We're so geared towards doing what needs to be done that we tend to either ignore things that don't concern us, or we just do the bare minimum so we can quickly be on our way. Anyway, I asked them to wait in the pantry while I called my colleague over. On my way out, I mentioned to them that my colleague "will be right out". Minutes later, I was surprised to discover that the visitors were still standing in the pantry, while my colleague was nowhere to be seen. Moments later, she appeared with her laptop, but went straight into a meeting room. I asked her if I should usher her guests in, but she said she'd take care of it. Not exactly rude, but... Now, I don't know if she had greeted the visitors and told them she'd need a few minutes before their meeting could begin. All I saw were two guests who looked like they were unattended to. Not that I have a background in hotel management, but visitors to the office shouldn't be left alone, especially if they're waiting for someone. We should not risk letting them feel ignored or worse, unimportant. This feeling of wanting to have better manners came about after visiting Taipei last month. During my holiday, there were several instances when I kept hurrying to pay as I ordered in a restaurant. However, there are many places - even small establishments - that don't collect payment till you're done eating. So, there were numerous instances when I was told "吃完饭再付钱" (finish your meal first before paying) as I was counting notes from my wallet. I don't think I was impolite, but somehow, this rush to whip out cash seemed unrefined. Photo: Brooke Cagle, Unsplash I also realised that because we always rush to do things and go places, we often fail to acknowledge people in our presence. Think about the last time you thanked the staff in a shop as you left after browsing. Typically, as we leave a store, we are only accompanied by the sound of our footsteps. Surprisingly, in many shops in East Asia, the staff will thank you as you leave even if you leave empty-handed. Perhaps they are better trained. Or maybe, it doesn't matter whether you bought something or didn't - your presence was still appreciated. It's these niceties that make shopping overseas pleasant. I don't expect the same type of service in local shops because I think this sort of thing isn't in our culture. And frankly, perhaps most of us also don't expect such treatment, since kind/nice words won't convince us to buy things that hold zero appeal. Be better "How can I be polite?" is now a recurring question in my mind. But it doesn't mean I'll dash across the road to approach people who look like they're lost. I'm not about to introduce myself to every new face in the office either. What I will do is pay more attention my personal interactions with people, and to try and ensure that I don't hurry through every interaction so that I can just go back to whatever I was doing. And while I'm at it, I should probably give a nod or polite smile to colleagues I see in the pantry, even if we're not actually acquainted. - Jeremy

As above. How will you react in such embarrassing moments in the public? Farts are natural and sometimes we cannot control when it just come out suddenly. Whether you are in office, shopping mall, crowded bus, home or in the lift, what will you react if this happens to you? Quiet, tactical, make a big fuss, etc?

Feeling digusted by some drivers with very bad road manners. Witness a deliberate queue-cutting by a female driver in the morning even though I was not the affected victim but just feel that some drivers has bad road manners. Travelling on Bukit Timah Rd towards Bukit Timah Shopping Centre where there is an exit out to PIE (Tuas), saw this Honda Ody cut into the exit when others are lining up properly with smooth traffic. Then when we are beside Ngee Ann Poly where the 2 lanes will merge, she refuses to practise courtesy and came closer & closer to my bike, but since it was crawling speed upon entering into e'way (and I've got plenty of time), I just maintain my slow speed beside and eventually end up in front. Instead of lane splitting (squeezing) in such a situation, I choose to take up a lane. Then she switch to lane 2 (middle) & when almost reaching Ave 6, she cut into the queue again. Also witness another Toyota Wish using the road shoulder all the way from the exit all the way until Ave 6. Sometimes I dunno if these drivers ought to be shot or we should give them the benefit of doubt that something urgent is happening to them, but when we look into their cabin, they are laughing and chatting happily. Another day along Commonwealth Ave West towards Commonwealth MRT, a Toyota Estima/Previa making a U-turn turn into the road when my car was not near in comfort for a U-turn. Gave that aunt a lou horn and saw her on the phone. As I was turning into Holland, she was going straight towards Ghim Moh direction and she turn her head and look at me, since she likes to look so much, I also just stare at her sideway with a stern expression. Sigh.. when will we move up the charts in term of road manners?

While driving sometimes we encounter all sorts of people. Once in a while we may encounter some unpleasent drivers . Public transport drivers (taxi, bus drivers) are more often on the road than average road users who drive only to and from work place. Do you think they should have better manners and patience?