Basic etiquette should be expected from students

More often than not at school, one might find trash on the ground, swear words in the air, or simply students disinterested in a teacher’s efforts to teach. The sheer disregard for others is a common occurrence in students, often caused by various reasons. It is not difficult to practice some common decency, and basic etiquette should be expected from all students at this age. 

First off, high school students in particular range from the ages 14-18, meaning they are generally regarded as young adults. With this in mind, one should expect some maturity from these students. They are set to enter society as the next generation of adults, setting high standards on how they should act. 

Furthermore, once a person begins exercising showing respect or courtesy to others, it will come along like second nature. Even if one’s parents do not teach them such basic manners, it shouldn’t be difficult for them to practice etiquette. One doesn’t need to show the utmost respect to everyone they meet, they simply need to show some signs of respect at the least. 

On the contrary, students often lack basic etiquette simply because they feel they are not given proper respect by those in their lives. As these students do not feel like they are being treated respectfully, they see no reason to bother showing respect or practice basic courtesy to others. It could also stem from negligence or the absence of a parental figure, something that students cannot control. While those reasons could explain the behavior of certain students, it does not excuse the lack of basic etiquette. Students should not let others dictate their character and continue to exhibit good manners. 

At this age, students should demonstrate respectful behavior at the least. It is not too difficult to throw away trash, listen to teachers, or politely thank others. Basic etiquette is not difficult to incorporate into your life, and it should be expected from students.