By Dave Breakenridge,Edmonton Sun
Copyright edmontonsun
Article content
Public spaces like parks, libraries, transit systems, and communal facilities are fundamental to civic life. They serve as places of connection, reflection, and shared experience. And yet, an observable erosion of considerate behaviour in these spaces hints at a broader issue: a weakening of the civic consciousness that binds diverse societies together. Everyday encounters are increasingly marred by disruptive behaviours, blaring music in buses, loud phone conversations in quiet zones, queue jumping, and intrusive stares. These are not isolated incidents; they represent a growing disregard for social norms that enable peaceful coexistence. One such intervention could be the formal introduction of a public etiquette and conduct module in primary and secondary school curricula. Students would not only learn practical norms such as respecting personal space or engaging politely in shared settings but also explore the values underpinning those norms: empathy, mindfulness, and civic engagement.
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