Social values are on decline
Social values are inherited from past generation to next generation and over the time these social values, sometimes, are reformed or take other shapes or sometimes, are eliminated by new-age generation.In past, we had some social manners which stand for respect of elders whether they were relatives or strangers and some of them are as follows.
- That no younger person could sit on the headrest side of the bedstead or cot if an elder person would be sitting on legs-rest side/ lower part of the bedstead or cot. This social etiquette is on the decline. We have almost forgotten it now because the cot which was commonly used to rest and sleep upon at home is gradually on extinction. However, in villages, this social practice still exists. Elders are being seated or laid on the headrest side and younger ones sit by their legs. It looks good to me.
- If an elder person is standing all younger members will not dare to sit until he will also be seated. Now it's also on the decline.
- We would pay salam (vadakkam) to our elders and we never shook hands. I never shook hands with my father or elder brothers or uncles in my whole life.
- My wife still follows all old social etiquettes. If any woman/ relatives visit our home and suppose she is doing any household work she will leave it and will sit with her.
- If a group of few young boys is standing somewhere along the road, talking or joking or laughing, if an elder person passes by them, they will stop talking or joking or laughing and after paying greetings they will keep on silent until the elder person has passed them. This manner still exists in my town.
Such social values and etiquettes are still followed in remote areas but gradually, these are on the decline because TV, internet have their effect on people, especially, young generation. A young boy or girl does not care who has come home when he/she is engrossed in mobile.
