ETHICLESS

"You are a manner less imp." My mother often shouts these five words to me when I a was child. And as
a child who grew up with a very strict slightly perfectionist and typical Filipina mother, I'm used to being
scolded even over a tiny mistake. It's kind of typical if you are a Filipino in my assumption. Moreover,
Philippines have a lot of beliefs, norms, and practices that we tend to put a lot of attention in our manners and
politeness. I guess it wasn't just here in the Philippines, probably in a lot of part of Asia. That being said a single
mistake can turn you into a "manner less brat", ethic-less. Nevertheless, I wouldn't say I'm a person who doesn't
have or know any manners, I may have forgotten it sometimes, but I'm not a completely unethical person.
Because "A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world" as what Albert Camus said.

Growing up, I was surrounded by a lot of people, all of different kinds. Mature, smart, shameless,
goody-to-shoes, and rarely but not impossible, manner less people. But I still consider all of them as person who
needs to be respected regardless of their personality. My own code of ethics, respect other people opinion,
personality, and beliefs, because I also have my own. Although this doesn't always lined up to what my mother
taught me or what my schools taught me. For instance, my mother always told me to not lie, but lying is kind of
part of our life, and I've encountered a lot of people whose good at lying, even though their teeth. Though I
respect them because they must have a reason for doing it, I don't agree that it's the right thing to do. As I said
my mother taught me not to lie, so I don't. And I have probably only lied about my weight and personal
feelings, but nothing more. However, I don't judge people just because they lie, although it's wrong it doesn't
mean that they are a bad person. And just because you don't lie means you are a good person. My mother also
taught me to always say "opo" and "po" when talking to older people. And also not to eat loudly, or walk
straight with your head up. Saying "excuse me" when I need to talk to someone, or "please" and "thank you"
when you're asking for a favor and thanking someone. And I always keep these lessons of manners with me
whenever I go. It helped me build my image as a nice obedient girl, although I know I'm not really. But what
I'm most grateful for being taught of these manners and ethics is that I didn't end up ruining my life like other
people. I at least grew up as decent person, who have a decent manner, and a decent dream.

The world is full of different kind of person, and that’s what makes the world beautiful and colorful, but
all of us should have one thing in common, and that is living with morals. Because that’s what distinct us to a
beast who does not have any control to himself, an ignorant beast. We aren’t a beast and we should never be.

— Jazzmine M. Dalangan
ACC 201