Public conduct is much, much more than mere words

Really, what constitutes good behavior? In schools and at home, we tell our children to be kind, polite and considerate. As adults, we remember being reminded again and again as children that how we communicate in public and with strangers sets the tone for subsequent interactions and as such, care must be taken to cultivate an attitude that is welcoming and open. Also, as adults, our conscious social and professional interactions are underlined by an instinct to demonstrate empathy and civility.

Most of us have been raised to know that cursing in public constitutes extreme bad manners and that use of expletives in course of an exchange, whether heated or amicable, is not only a sign of a limited vocabulary but also a bad upbringing.

At the same time, we all perfectly understand that the huge repositories of colorful expressions, which every language has, have cultural connotations. Also, the fact that most adults in all cultures, irrespective of upbringing and range of vocabulary, usually understand the meaning of such colorful expressions without the aid of a dictionary suggests that irreverence is accepted, even indulged to the point that it does not become offensive. In other words, we all understand the need to set a limit while exercising free speech and to instinctively follow a code of behavior that enforces civility.

What does one then make of a reported plan of the MTR Corporation to become more tolerant and relax curbs on abusive language by passengers on trains? As per recent media reports, under the proposed changes, the penalty for swearing will be reduced to HK$2,000 from the current HK$5,000.

One newspaper report quoted an "MTR source" as saying that the rail behemoth with a global presence sees the need to conform with changing times. Really? Is it a reflection of deviant behavior becoming more dominant, even acceptable in society?

Hong Kong's public transport is availed by commuters ranging from preschoolers to nonagenarians. In these combustible times, what signal would the MTR send to Hong Kong's young people if its proposal to become more tolerant toward abusive language is passed? Because there is a spike in people's tendency to pepper conversations with expletives, is it okay to routinely expose our children and grandmothers to such abusive language?

There is a difference between contemporary permissiveness and dereliction of duty. When it comes to public transport, each commuter has the right to enjoy a ride, which has been paid for, with dignity. And it is the duty of the vendor to ensure an experience that is not only seamless but also free of abuse, both physical and verbal.

If the pervasiveness of deviant behavior encourages an equally deviant culture of permissiveness for the sake of "changing times", sadly, has then the time come for Hong Kong to rewrite the codes of civility?

(HK Edition 04/24/2017 page1)