When we were little, we taught to be thoughtful and courteous by our first teachers, our parents. They consistently reminded us to be polite and to give respect to others especially people elder to us. It became a habit to most of us to have these teachings at home.

We grow up with this values and practice consistently through our teenage age but something happens when we reach 18 years old and above. We just forget our leanings and all those years of practice in just a few months. Why?

Well. At that age real freedom begins for most of us. We either go to college or enroll into the local universities. We are allowed to exclude ourselves from family events and activities with the excuse of being too busy. We are exposed to the real world out there and suddenly common courtesy is no longer cool and happening.

Why do you think that people just cannot say simple words like Thank You, Welcome and May I. They just lose it and that is the mystery we call “The Missing Link”. When they have to relearn all of these values in their adult years it does not become easier at all. That is because they become too accustomed to the freedom and thus develop a habit of not being courteous. Ever kept the lift door open for someone only to be greeted with a cold stare , letting someone overtake your car on the roads only to be greeted with a loud horn and what about the simple truth of buying items at a hypermart only to be the one to say thank you! Sounds familiar right?

Well that is The Missing Link at work. What do we do about it? For those with the problem, to refocus and learn the basics of courtesy. For those who noticed it , time to remind these people about it.