Delinquent students (2)

I often take the bus from Valletta to Sliema around 8 p.m. During the summer, the throngs of language students going to Paceville to "live it up" make the bus ride almost unbearable. They may be eager to learn English (and that is surely debatable), but they certainly have not learned any manners from their parents or teachers. Every time I try to get off the bus, the mass of teenagers waiting to get on simply presses forward, oblivious to the people wanting to disembark. I have to screw up my courage and physically brace myself to avoid injury. Until a few days ago I was able to manage that.

But a few nights ago took the proverbial cake. My husband and I were returning from a delightful dinner in Valletta. A few blocks before our stop, we began the unenviable process of trying to get out of our seats and pass through the standing students to get off at our stop. Apparently, they are not learning much English, since pleas to move went unheeded. Nor do they respond to trying to push by them. I fell backwards twice while the bus was moving and not one student lifted a hand to help. I actually fell back into my seat, which (surprise of surprises) was already commandeered by two male students. When I fell, they thought it was hilarious and I had to get myself back on balance. As I pushed forward, the bus lurched and I fell backwards again. Again, no help, but a lot of giggles. We could not even reach the buzzer to stop the bus. By the time we got to the front of the bus, we were six or seven blocks past our stop. I do not blame the bus driver. He is an innocent victim.

I have seen young children separated from their parents while boarding a bus by the pushing and shoving of European teen bullies. The mother had to scream, "Those are my children, allow them on!" before they relented. And never have I seen a teen offer his/her seat to an elder. Shameful!

This type of behaviour is unacceptable. Perhaps the language schools could begin their course with a "While you are in Malta" behaviour guide, a perfect exercise in English vocabulary. Teach them the meaning of "excuse me" or "pardon" or "get out of my way!" Teach them the phrases, "Would you like my seat?" or "I'm sorry" or... well, any polite phrase is sure to be new to them. Unfortunately, even this would not be likely to work.

Today I nurse a sprained knee and as I do so I am left to ponder the question: "Where have consideration, manners and related niceties gone with the youth of today?" Well, I can tell you that you won't find them on the buses full of students. You'll just have to keep looking.