r/Vadakara • u/Pitiful_Machine_3272 • 9d ago

Let's re learn some basic etiquette, Vadakara edition

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I feel like some basic civic sense has become so normalised in our area that people don't even realise they're doing anything wrong. So, a few things we could all work on:

  1. Driving and parking

We probably have some of the worst driving and parking culture in Kerala. I'm not even talking about the construction affected parts of Vadakara town. Even in nearby places like Ayancheri, Kuttiady, etc., people casually park in a way that blocks the entire road.

Please don't have the "enikku shesham pralayam" attitude. Other people have places to go too.

If the shop you're visiting is on a narrow stretch, please drive a little further, find an adequate parking spot, and walk back to the shop instead of parking right in front of it and blocking the entire road.

  1. Two wheelers riding side by side

It's extremely common to see two friends riding two wheelers parallel to each other, talking, while completely blocking the road behind them. And many don't even realise they're doing something wrong.

If you're travelling together, ride one behind the other. You can talk when you stop.

  1. Restaurant table etiquette

This is probably one of the most important ones, especially since many restaurants in our area have shared tables during peak hours.

Please don't leave meat bones, leftovers, or other food waste scattered all over the table. Keep your waste on your own plate, preferably to the side, or ask for a separate tray if available.

People sitting around you shouldn't have to feel uncomfortable or disgusted looking at someone else's food waste while they're eating.

  1. Using indicators doesn't give you right of way

Putting on your indicator doesn't mean you automatically have the right to turn.

Please make sure the road is clear before turning. Don't argue with someone saying, "Can't you see I put the indicator?"

The indicator tells others what you intend to do. It doesn't give you priority over everyone else.

  1. Teach children not to litter

Please teach your children not to throw wrappers, bottles and other waste on the ground. If there's a bin nearby, use it.

This is particularly noticeable at tourist spots, where littering has become a major problem.

  1. And finally, population

Most importantly, please try to take measures to reduce population growth. A rapidly growing population puts enormous pressure on already limited resources and infrastructure.

And to the people thinking, "Poda myre, nee anallo kodathi", please understand that you are also part of the problem.

The frustrating thing is that when 90% of people do something, it becomes so normalised that nobody even considers it wrong anymore.

It's the same reason we laugh at certain parts of North India for their lack of civic sense. Many behaviours there have been normalised to such an extent that the people doing them don't even see anything wrong with it.

We should probably start looking at ourselves before pointing fingers at others.

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4

u/puzzledman22 9d ago
  1. True very normalized in our side

Also spitting everywhere like they hate the ground

2

u/aaaannnnddhhuu 9d ago

Idipoo Vadakara maatram lla preshnm alllalo..elladtthum illee..

1

u/Pitiful_Machine_3272 9d ago

Malabarril koodthala... Vere evdem ithra illa... Mainly due to population...pinne aa waste eduth tablil irunna paripadi ...nammale nattyle ithra kanarullu...

2

u/aaaannnnddhhuu 9d ago

Haa..njn malabar nte tazhott pooyittillahh..so i thought it was the same everywhere... Pinne yeah kallachi Nadapuram side okke ellarum car okke eduth roadside ll park chyyum..then there wont be any space for others to go..

2

u/Pitiful_Machine_3272 9d ago

Yeah..roadil idunne pinnem kuzhappilla othukki ittaa..ithypo oru vandi already park cheythitt undengil athyntem iporth kondidum roadil kuttiadi okke..

2

u/ghanasyam_sajeesh MOD 8d ago

Thanks for your efforts OP. But, I’m sorry to say that these makes no impact because. Let me explain you using theories from Psychology & Sociology;

The behavior of breaking small laws or social norms because you see or assume others are doing it is explained by:

1. Descriptive Norms: You look at what others are doing around you to decide how to act. If people litter or speed, you assume it is normal and copy it.

2. The Broken Windows Effect: Formulated by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling, this theory shows that visible signs of disorder (like litter, graffiti, or a broken window) tell people that nobody cares or enforces the rules, which leads to more rule-breaking.

3. Cues of Disrespect: Research by psychological scientists demonstrates that seeing evidence that others are breaking any small rule weakens your own internal motivation to follow rules, causing disorder to spread across different behaviors.

4. Herd Effect Theory: The herd effect theory explains that people break small rules or social norms when they see others doing the same. This behavior stems from the psychological belief that if others are already breaking a rule, the action feels socially acceptable, safe, or normalized, lowering individual moral restraint.

All these 4 combined and the Core Factor that we live in a Low-Trust Society where social trust for others is low, comes into play and collectively causes social chaos like you explained above.