Star Diary

Manners Matter

During a dinner date with my husband, I overheard a woman shouting at someone at the next table. At closer inspection, we found out that the woman was screaming at one of the waiters. His crime was that he had accidentally spilt water. She even made the manager come to her table so that she could complain to him about the waiter. Before the manager could say anything to the hapless waiter, I said in a loud voice, "Some people don't deserve to come to good restaurants if they don't know how to behave themselves. Just because one has more money than someone else doesn't mean that they know how to treat other people well." I could see that the woman became red with embarrassment and quietly told the manager to let things be and to forgive the waiter!
Nuzhat Nazmul
Kalabagan, Dhaka

Think Before You Help

A few days ago, on my way to college, I was waiting in my car due to traffic jam. As I looked through the window, I saw two boys playing and having fun with a bottle of water. They were wearing dirty clothes. I felt good thinking that in spite of being in such a dire situation, they were still very happy.  Just after a few minutes, one of them came to me and started saying, "Madam please give me some money. My mum is a cancer patient, and I need money for her operation”.
I was not convinced and was somewhat sure that he might not be telling the truth. Instead of giving him any money, I promised him to give him more money than he asked for if he told me the truth. The boy confessed that it was his mother who taught him to lie to people so that they could earn some more.  I felt so bad thinking that a mother could teach her sons to tell such a blatant lie.  But I don't believe that they are the ones who should take the blame; rather it's the people who tend to help these children by giving them money, which actually encourages them to lie.  It's my humble request to everyone to wake up and to think twice before giving any money to the street children.
Humaira Maisha Mahmud
Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Dhaka