HEY… Yes - YOU. Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself, “Hindi kaya, ako yung mali?” or you never did, and you were always, “Parang ‘yon lang eh!.” Which of the two are you? Honestly, this doesn’t wholly reflect who you are, but it does say something about you. 

     Intellectual and emotional intelligence are always discussed, while social etiquette is never given importance and is always set aside by people. But should it be? I always ask myself this question: Would I still have the same reaction when I'm put into their position?

     People should be aware of many social etiquette rules, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” being on time, learning to say sorry, etc. But if you ask me, we should all be aware of four basic social etiquette rules as we socialize every day. It’s the 5PCS: 5 seconds rule, privacy, consent, and space. 

     Many people are not aware of the 5-second rule. It states that you should comment on someone’s appearance only if they can change it in 5 seconds or less. If they can’t, you should keep the comment to yourself. In privacy, some things can be said, and some are left to be kept to oneself. Closeness does not mean you can take a person’s privacy for granted. 

     “Hey, can I hug you?” - it’s so simple to ask permission, right? Consent shows respect not only to others but also to yourself. An absence of “no” doesn’t mean it’s a “yes.” All individuals have their own space that makes them feel safe and comfortable. If this is disrespected, they usually feel uneasy and stressed. Sometimes, try reading between the lines; not all things are supposed to be expressly stated. 

     Normally, proper social etiquette is taught so that we can be prim and proper. Some say it usually indicates how a person is raised or well-educated. But should it even be indicative? 

     In modern times, where socialization happens personally or digitally, proper social etiquette is a behavior that we all should possess to create healthy relationships. 

As I chose this topic, I felt irked. It is very bizarre that something like this should even be pointed out. Shouldn’t this be basic human decency? I asked myself. From the moment we all came into existence, we were and are constantly surrounded by other people. So, how do some people fail to interact with other people respectfully? It is such a wonder, indeed.

     You might be asking: “How do you even observe this ‘5PCS’ in every single interaction that you have?” Honestly, this is a no-brainer. You just observe, listen, and perceive while you socialize. As the infamous rule said, “Think before you speak.”

     This opinion is written so you can take a step back and rethink your actions. Stop giving yourself the benefit of the doubt. Doing the ‘5PCS’ may sound easy, but let me ask you.

     Have you ever done it before?