Being considerate is a lesson we all need to learn
There should be a criminal charge where people could be hauled before court for not being considerate
Someone commented the other day that South Africa has the best constitution in the world as it protects the rights of everyone: from tree huggers to Tasmanian mountain goats to every colour and hue and every persuasion this side of Uranus.
Like a football team and some cricket sides, currently struggling for form, on paper it is wonderful. Nothing can possibly go wrong… can it…?
There is one little word that these great thinkers left out when drawing up that mighty document: consideration.
Rights are worth less than an old glue tin discarded by Lucky on Beaconsfield Street if no one gives a hoot. Those in the wrong are quick to shout ‘but it’s my right to litter, party until 4am etc.’ but what rights do the victims have?
Nowt. Because everyone has forgotten about good old consideration. Consideration is like the kindly grandmother you once had, who you visit on a Sunday afternoon for tea and those delicious biscuits only she can bake. What we probably need is a group called the Consideration Police. Like the Smoke Police, who raid pubs and clubs (not shebeens) to ensure no one is smoking within 100 yards of anyone and the Fashion Police who check on any failures, the Consideration Police need to check on manners.
A bit like the Grade 2 teacher but these guys are armed with stun guns – not plastic rulers.
There should be a criminal charge where people could be hauled before court for not being considerate.
It could go something like: “You are charged for gross inconsideration for leaving behind six bottles of Johnny Walker Black in the park and 100 KFC packets. I hereby fine you to 100 days of community work which will comprise of standing on the Gladstone Street traffic circle on Friday afternoons with a placard around your neck, bearing the words:
“Please forgive me as I am an inconsiderate ass’. If you think that is harsh, try going for a walk in the park and tripping over a discarded bottle of expensive liquor. That’s harsh.
This would also go on your criminal record and every time you go for an interview your potential employer can quickly ascertain if you are one of those inconsiderate people who never wash the dishes in the kitchen and/or put back an empty milk carton in the fridge. You are fired!
