From a young age, students in many parts of the world are taught how to behave in public places because everyone has an equal right to them. Children are raised with the understanding that their actions in public affect others too.
But the situation in Pakistan reveals a different upbringing. There is too much noise, frequent fights, and, unfortunately, unchecked public harassment.
These behaviours are not just small problems; they reveal something about the mindset of our society. They are windows to how we think and how we behave when we believe no one is watching.
Our public actions reflect our values. If we don’t learn to respect spaces we all share, it means we have not been taught the basic ethics of living in a community where you respect others’ presence and rights.
It’s time we start asking ourselves: what are we teaching our children about public behaviour? What kind of society are we shaping if public spaces become places of discomfort, noise, and fear? We need to change the current mindset. We need to raise awareness, start conversations, and most importantly, set examples, because public places belong to everyone, and everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in them.
Alia Asad Ullah
Tump
