GOOD MANNERS - J.C.HILL

GOOD MANNERS   - J.C.HILL

J.C.Hill is one of the popular essayists of the 20^th century. In all his essays, he talks about the good qualities which are necessary and needed for human beings. In this essay ‘Good Manners’, he stresses on the importance of thoughtfulness and courtesy towards common people.

Hill begins the essay with the story of a young man. He was strong and healthy. He was proud of his strength. He had no sympathy for the old and helpless people. One day he got an attack of influenza. He became weak and meak. He felt very tired and life became difficult. Gradually he recovered. Thereafter, he gave up his seat for the weak and the aged in the bus or train.

Then Hill advises the young cyclists not to made fun of old man, because at present, the old man may not be able to see or listen well but in the past, he might have been a famous soldier in war.  Moreover, after some days the young cyclist may face a similar situation, so they must respect grey hairs.

Hill warns all the boys and girls to learn that they are all fragile little things in a dangerous world. The parents and the teachers would know about the world, through their severe blows. They won’t complain about it. Instead they accept everything for the welfare of their children. So it is the duty of the children to make life easy for them.

Hill says, one must speak less and listen more. While speaking we must give chance to others to speak. We should not talk too much. A good listener gets enough time to think so that when he speaks he can speak clearly.

According to the American writer Thoreau, Truth differs from person to person. What we think to be true need not always be true to others.

Hill suggests that, we should train ourselves to remain calm even if some persons ask us annoying or irritating questions especially dealing with elderly people. Once an old lady asked a little boy whether, he was a boy scout. He was irritated and answered that he was two eggs on toast. Such rude and impolite behaviour is incorrect.   

Hill advises us to avoid gossip. Such remarks will usually find its way to that person, because even walls have ears. So one must avoid talking ill of others. Most of the people look at everything from their own perspective. Hill gives an example. Some students at a university were shown a picture of a bull-fight. Then, they were asked to write about the picture from memory. One said, a bull’s tongue was out. Actually, the bull’s mouth was closed but its head was turned the side. Its ears had looked like a tongue. Hence we should think twice before we speak, so that a lot of unwanted argument could be avoided.

Finally Hill concludes that good manners come from having sympathy for others and from understanding our own limitations. We should understand that we are unimportant little creature on this earth. In the given sort span of the time we should be humble and try to help the world as much as we can.