It takes considerate adults to inspire selfish youngsters

Having seen the disgraceful amount of litter and vandalism at the Cultural Centre following Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, any citizen who cares about the world must be asking: 'Why?'

There is, perhaps, a simple explanation. Those involved wanted to enjoy themselves to the fullest. They clearly did not consider the damage to the environment or the rights of other citizens to enjoy the Cultural Centre the following day. They did not care that a massive cleanup operation would have to be mounted afterwards.

Anyone who has been observing life in Hong Kong will not be surprised by this behaviour. At arts performances and in cinemas, inconsiderate people talk on their mobile phones. Those who ride on buses and trains hear their fellow passengers bark loudly into their phones on a daily basis.

We also see people pushing their way on to trains the minute the doors open, despite announcements urging people to first let passengers disembark. At shopping centres, we rarely see people holding doors open for others. And, of course, we see incredible amounts of rubbish left behind at barbecue sites or beaches after almost any event where large numbers gather.

I, therefore, am not surprised by the rubbish left behind at the Cultural Centre. But I do wonder why it was so.

Hong Kong has always been an everyone-for-themselves society. Ironically, this attitude is also at the core of its capitalist success. Time is money, and if it is necessary to push and shove to save time, no accusatory finger-pointing is warranted.

Such selfish and self-centred behaviour and practices are rarely condemned. Hong Kong can only become a less selfish city if every individual thinks twice before acting in such a way.