Social Discourse on Gratitude and Apology

Topic: Social Discourse on Gratitude and Apology

Social Discourse on Gratitude and Apology

I. Outline of Social Discourse on Gratitude and Apology (Standard)

1. Introduction:

- Introduction of the issue for discussion

2. Body of the Essay:

a. Elaboration:
- 'Thank you': an expression of appreciation, respect, and affection towards those who assist us, love us.
- 'Apology': a statement expressing regret, remorse for making mistakes.

b. Significance and Manifestation:

- Significance: it's a moral principle, a reflection of education, communication skills, behavioral culture, ...

- Expression:
+ Gratitude: towards parents, teachers, those who have helped us, soldiers, ... through actions: giving flowers, showing appreciation,...
+ Apology: People who make mistakes, ... by taking corrective actions, ...

c. Current Situation:

- The culture of gratitude and apology has not been well promoted in a segment of people:
+ Very few people express gratitude when receiving items from a shopkeeper,...

d. Root Causes:

- Due to the advancement of technology, humans communicate less directly with each other.
- Parents are preoccupied with earning money and have no time for their children.

- Examples:
+ On Facebook, an account posted about celebrating a grandchild's birthday without receiving thanks.
+ On Weibo, another account shared a story about damaged cosmetics without receiving an apology.
+ However, there are also appreciative gestures worth cherishing: a boy expressing gratitude for being given way by a car while crossing the road.

e. Consequences:

- Children not being educated in the culture of gratitude and apology may easily become uncultured individuals.
- Being shunned by friends and others.

f. Measures:

- Children should be educated from an early age about the culture of gratitude and apology.
- Parents must set an example for their children.

3. Conclusion:

- Affirming the role and significance of the culture of gratitude and apology.

II. Sample Essay on Social Discourse about Gratitude, Apology (Standard)

Whenever receiving help, what will you do to reciprocate? When making mistakes, what actions will you take to acknowledge your faults? What actions speak to your moral character, reflecting your behavioral culture? They are expressions of gratitude, apology. Expressing gratitude, apology may seem simple, but not everyone can do it. The culture of gratitude, apology is an essential cultural aspect in life.

'Thank you' is a statement of gratitude, respect, affection towards those who willingly help us in difficult times. Or simply put, that expression of gratitude is uttered to acknowledge the kindness, sincerity that others show to us. Gratitude can be directed to everyone, to all those whom we cherish and love. While 'apology' is a statement expressing regret, remorse of ourselves, it is admitting our mistakes when we err. A gentle apology can dissipate anger, help people understand each other better.

Gratitude and apologies seem easy to say, but nowadays people are saying fewer and fewer words of thanks and apologies. Have you ever noticed how many people say thank you when receiving items from shopkeepers? Or simply when we receive excess change from a service? Saying thank you is simple, it's not grandiose, but how many people can do it? Because we always assume that buying something means paying for it, so we don't need to thank them. Or in minor accidents, people in the car just check the damage, rarely do they send apologies to the victim. They are ready to get back in the car and continue the journey without caring about the person who was hit. These are behaviors that 'lose points' in behavior and communication, making us judged as uncivilized or more seriously, lacking culture.

Expressing gratitude to parents for bringing us into this world, thanking teachers for guiding us, providing us with knowledge, thanking those who have helped us in difficult times, expressing gratitude to the generations before us who sacrificed blood and sweat to preserve our homeland, ... Apologizing when we unintentionally make mistakes causing anger from our parents, apologizing when we are still naive and don't know what is right, what is wrong to avoid, to fix...

Expressions of gratitude and apology seem easy to say, but nowadays people are saying fewer and fewer words of thanks and apologies. Have you ever noticed how many people say thank you when receiving items from shopkeepers? Or simply when we receive excess change from a service? Saying thank you is simple, it's not grandiose, but how many people can do it? Because we always assume that buying something means paying for it, so we don't need to thank them. Or in minor accidents, people in the car just check the damage, rarely do they send apologies to the victim. They are ready to get back in the car and continue the journey without caring about the person who was hit. These are behaviors that 'lose points' in behavior and communication, making us judged as uncivilized or more seriously, lacking culture.

In Vietnam, the culture of gratitude and apology has not truly fulfilled its role and significance in a part of the population. Some Vietnamese people, especially the youth, do not have a natural reflex to thank when receiving help and apologize when making mistakes. Parents tend to 'let go' when their children make mistakes with phrases like: 'he/she is still young, what does he/she know?' without educating them to apologize when they make mistakes. Then when receiving gifts from adults, they also don't know how to say thank you and receive with both hands. Or parents themselves hesitate to admit their mistakes in front of their children. These things make the culture of gratitude, apology increasingly 'worn out' in today's society.

The main reason for this situation is the development of technology in the world. Smartphones are considered a great leap forward for humanity, helping people satisfy entertainment needs, communicate over long distances but behind that, it causes very large side effects. Instead of meeting and communicating with each other, people choose to text, call, video call at home. On the road, in cafes, in conversations, everyone is just staring at their phones, forgetting that we have to communicate with each other, have to talk to understand each other. Furthermore, as society changes, money is valued, parents also spend a lot of time earning money to take care of their children but forget to teach their children necessary life skills. Recently, on the social network Facebook, there have been many situations that make us contemplate during the past New Year. Specifically, an account posted a story celebrating the birthday of a grandchild during the New Year. That grandchild not only did not thank when receiving birthday money but also immediately opened the red envelope and complained that the birthday money was too little. This is perhaps direct evidence for the need to improve the culture of gratitude and apology education. Or on the Weibo account - a social network of China has posted an article about the story of a young friend when the cousin came to play at home. The child mischievously played in the aunt's room without permission and broke more than 103 million VND worth of the aunt's cosmetics. But in return, the aunt only received an apology from the child's mother without from the child with the excuse that 'he/she is still young, doesn't know anything'

However, alongside that, there are also expressions of gratitude that make others admire, agree with, and love. It's the action of a fourth-grade student in Can Tho who bowed in gratitude when a car gave way to them while crossing the road. That action was praised and respected by society.

Expressing gratitude and apology at the right time and place will make our lives more comfortable and gentle. Just with those two simple words, we can resolve arguments, increase love and care for each other. Conversely, when we 'save' those two words, it will leave unpredictable consequences. Children not taught to express gratitude and apology will not know how to appreciate what they have, not know how to apologize for mistakes, not know how to correct their mistakes,... gradually turning into ungrateful, uneducated individuals. Not only that, it also makes us estranged, not receiving help when in need,...

Therefore, from an early age, educating children about the culture of gratitude and apology is extremely important. We need to be role models for children, knowing when to express gratitude when necessary and knowing when to apologize for mistakes. Only then can we teach our children an essential culture in life, while also helping them understand the importance of expressing gratitude and apology. That is the necessary baggage for them to grow up in society.

'Words cost nothing to buy' so when speaking, let's 'choose words' so that everyone feels comfortable, happy, satisfied. The culture of expressing gratitude and apology will make our lives more peaceful, happy, so why not implement it and pass it on to the next generation, so that each of us can always live in joy, happiness?