Young people today

You know how young people are supposed to be wicked, knife-carrying perverts, good-for-nothings with no respect for the rest of us?

I was sitting in my local cafe having my lunch when I spotted something happening in the street outside. A very elderly man, a wee bit unsteady on his pins, was making his way back to his car from the newsagent's. A boy in a maroon blazer, about 15 maybe, took his arm and led him across the street. By the time he had helped him into the car, I was worried the old guy probably wasn't fit to drive. It was a few minutes before I realised this act of kindness by a young person was something we don't see or hear much of.

Till the other day.

I was in Whole Foods having my lunch. As my faithful readers know I'm not too well these days. It wasn't a very exciting - or heavy - lunch. Just coffee and a croissant - butter - no jam. As I went to lift my tray, a young man in a maroon blazer said:

- Can I get that for you?

I was so surprised, I couldn't give my normal answer, probably something crushing like: What? Do I look feeble?

Instead, I let him carry my tray over to the table I wanted to sit at and thanked him as he walked away.

After the first incident, I wrote to the headteacher of the school - St Ninian's High School. Fair dos. Young people are often criticised, so it’s good to be able to give some praise where it’s due.

I don't feel I should write again, although I could. I told my sister about my wee incident and she reminded me that this has always happened: 20 years ago, her boy and his friend saw an elderly woman fall in the street. Her shopping fell all over the street. They picked her and her shopping up and saw her safely home. She too wrote to their school to thank them: that was Woodfarm High. 

I could deliver a wee homily now about how people are basically good, etc. But I won't. I'm sure everyone has come across random acts of kindness by young people. 

But it would be good if all of us made sure parents and teachers know when these things happen. Schools and families must be doing something right.