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SCMP Reporter

Treat friends well
Everyone needs friends. In order to make friends, we need to be cheerful. Smile at someone, and you are sure to get a smile in return.
Try to remember people's names. It makes a new acquaintance feel happy when you use his or her name.
If you do not agree with someone, do not argue but discuss the issue.
Finally, don't make the mistake of treating people as if they are any better or worse than you. Respect is the basis of real friendship.
Ho kin-leong, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
Desperate struggle for high grades
More and more students are taking tutorial lessons after school.
They hope by studying with 'star teachers' they can get higher grades.
This practice is becoming widespread. Even top students in top schools are taking extra lessons, and these tutorial schools are big business.
What appalls me the most is 'video lessons'. Being taught by a machine and not getting the chance to ask questions seem strange.
The government says not to aim only at high marks, but our education system only allows those with high marks to survive.
The popularity of tutorial schools, in my opinion, is caused by our education system.
Cheung Tak-hang, Hang Seng School of Commerce
Smoking in public bad for everyone
I strongly agree smoking should be banned in public places.
Everyone knows smoking not only destroys smokers' health but also affects  non-smokers.
By spending time around smokers, non-smokers increase their chances of contracting lung cancer, throat cancer and heart disease.
Secondly, the vast majority of smokers are teenagers.
They start smoking because of peer pressure, or because they think smoking is cool and helps reduce stress.
With a ban on smoking in public places, young people will have fewer opportunities to smoke.
Thirdly, the smoking ban will help send a message that smoking is neither fashionable nor smart.
Schools, teachers and parents should raise teenagers' awareness of the dangers of smoking through education and communication.
Let us join hands and create a smoke-free environment for the future generations.
Yvonne Chu
History creates a language barrier
Learning Putonghua seems to be a problem for many Hong Kong people even though we are Chinese.
I think this is largely because Hong Kong uses Cantonese as our official language instead of Putonghua.
I am not sure why Putonghua was not used as an official language in Hong Kong, as it is in nearly all of China, even Taiwan.
I think it is because Hong Kong was a British colony.
The result is we have a language barrier between  Hong Kong people and other Chinese.
Tony Wan Chun-ho
Do your bit to help the disadvantaged
Many employers are reluctant to hire disabled people or rehabilitated convicts.
Most people think of the disabled as too weak to work, and think they would be a burden as employees.
Similarly, few companies are prepared to employ ex-convicts, as they fear they are likely to be dishonest or even dangerous.
Therefore these people have a hard time finding work, which lowers their self-esteem.
If we continue to ignore them, the result will be social problems such as higher suicide and crime rates.
So please, consider giving these disadvantaged people a helping hand.
Help to break the cycle of despair.
Suet Chan
Grab every chance  to help someone
Our English teacher recently discussed apathy with us, which got me thinking.
Some people criticise the youth of today for being cold-hearted and lacking sympathy, and I can see their point.
For example, one seldom sees people aged 14 to 25 giving up a seat to an elderly person on a bus or train. It is mainly people aged over 40 who do so.
However, often the elderly do not want help. I live with my grandma, and sometimes she will push my hand away when I try to help her.
Old people have their  self-esteem and may refuse help.
It is sometimes hard to decide whether to help people or not, but this is no excuse for not trying.
I am still a bit unsure about when to help, but I know it is the right thing to do and I will keep trying and learning.
Siu Wing-yin, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School
No excuse for  Mong Kok attack
I am writing in response to the recent terrible incident that happened in Mong Kok.
Dozens of Christmas shoppers were hurt when a person threw two bottles of acid from a rooftop in the busy shopping district. Forty-six people were injured and taken to hospital.
I am wondering whether the culprit did it for fun or to hurt pedestrians intentionally.
Some say the person might have a grudge against the government because of the serious noise pollution in  the area.
Whatever the reason, we cannot excuse his actions. He hurt many innocent pedestrians.
I hope the police catch him as soon as possible.
Maggie Au Yeung, Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School



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