A couple of tourists stop near the brew pub to take a photo by its sign and ask a local resident to capture the image of their trip to Squamish. Do we say yes, take the photo then politely inquire whether they need more information about our town?
A man holds the door for us as we’re exiting a building. Do we make sure to say thank you for the show of courtesy?
A new person shows up at a meeting. Should we greet this person to welcome him?
A family is crossing the intersection where we’re turning right. Do we let them safely cross all the way, instead of rushing and shaving our car past their legs?
Of course, all the correct answers are yes, as we live in Squamish, a town that cares about its residents. But it seems as the town is changing, respect and dignity for other people are starting to fray.
Fortunately, it’s not pervasive. In fact, the community has shown its spirit and positivity this past week in many ways – from the last hurrah for the Test of Metal after the organizers’ 21 years of incredible dedication, to the donations toward Balding for Dollars, a cancer fundraiser by young children at Valleycliffe Elementary School. It has been a positive week for many, especially at Howe Sound Secondary, where the gleeful graduates flung grad caps on the weekend to celebrate their success.
But kindness and courtesy are best revealed in the small moments in life, not the momentous ones. Something as simple as not waiting at a roundabout for a fellow human being to cross safely is uncharitable and unkind. What the motorists are saying is that the pedestrian’s life doesn’t matter as much as their need to get to their destination 10 seconds earlier. If that pedestrian is a tourist, you can bet he won’t be keen to return to Squamish or recommend it to his friends.
The poet Maya Angelou once wrote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Let’s hope Squamish never loses its sense of community, respect and courtesy for others. Because, in the end, no matter how much money one makes or how powerful one becomes, it’s how we make others feel that matters, and that is how we will be remembered.
