The empty food wrapper value check | Life

What comes to mind when you see an empty food wrapper?

While driving along the highway, an empty McDonald’s bag blew past my car. It filled me with disgust at the thought of someone casually tossing their trash onto the highway. As I contemplated this disturbing behaviour, my mind drifted back to a recent trip to a country I had visited, recalling conversations and events that took me back to my childhood.

Growing up, my siblings and I eagerly anticipated the long bus rides from our hometown to our family’s ancestral home. Those journeys, though lengthy, were enjoyable, filled with food and beautiful natural views as we navigated winding roads lined with trees and glimpses of daily life along the streets. One of the highlights was always the restaurant stop, where we indulged in delicious meals and treats, often bringing some back onto the bus to savour as we continued our travels.

Years later, I wanted to relive that experience. On my most recent visit, I took the same bus ride back to my hometown. This time, however, the bus was more luxurious and spacious. Despite the upgrades, what truly mattered was enjoying that restaurant stop. What struck me during this trip was how much the world—and people—had changed.

When the bus finally halted, I was eager to head to my favourite eatery. Naturally, there was a long line of fellow travellers, all eager to eat. In front of me stood another gentleman from the Western world, and we struck up a conversation about various topics, including the differences between East and West. We touched on civic responsibility and cleanliness. I posed a straightforward question: “Do you notice anything wrong around us?” He looked around in confusion and replied, “What’s wrong? Everyone’s here in line for food.”

I clarified that I wasn’t referring to the crowd or the wait but rather something else entirely. He still seemed oblivious until I pointed out the litter scattered on the ground. People were buying items from stores and carelessly discarding wrappers instead of using trash bins—if there even were any nearby. His inability to recognize this as a problem astonished me; it highlighted how indifferent society has become toward civic responsibility.

This indifference extends beyond littering—it encompasses behaviours like cutting in line, pushing others, and a lack of kindness or respect for personal space. Such issues aren’t merely reflections of one’s upbringing or economic circumstances; they reveal deeper deficiencies in core values. If individuals lack courtesy, politeness, and respect for their surroundings and others, and if they view such behaviours as acceptable norms, then humanity is in a troubling state. It’s disheartening to think that many may need to return to the basics of civility and learn fundamental lessons about respect and kindness.

I’ll be back with more next week.

Stay tuned.

Razak
CommonInterest