When Tolerance STOPs being a Good Thing

Many see one of Britains greatest cultural assets to be our tolerance. At many levels I agree but sometimes tolerance can be extremely negative. To tolerate poor behaviour which isolates individuals is an indightment of a failing society. Many organisations espouse a desire to change culture, create fantastic publicity but don't actually "walk the talk" from the top which nurtures that all important TRUST which underpins any effective change.

This week there has been a lot of press about Margaret Thatcher and her legacy. A fantastic article by Hugo Young beautifully summarises the mood (although written in 2003 and printed postumously). The Thatcher years did make Britain economically an envy of many but also left a cultural legacy of "look after yourself". This in turn has created a level of tolerance that is really unhealthy for an inclusive society "If it doesn't affect me then I don't care!"

This manifests itself in many ways but its the little things that worry me most: Saying Good Morning or hello and being looked at like you have two heads, Holding a Door and not getting a simple thanks, being willing to initiate a conversation with a total stranger like the person beside you on a train for the next 3 hours. If these little "unconditional" exchanges are missing then how can we expect people to start looking out for those who are lonely and seeking some kind of human contact.

Loneliness is complex but also very simple to start fixing. All it calls on is for individuals to start looking around them and showing an interest in their neigbour, whether at home, in the street, at work etc. Spotting when an elderly neighbours milk is left out and feeling able and willing to go and investigate or taking the time to talk to someone who is having a bad time with illness whether it be physical or mental.

Our ability to "tolerate" poor behaviours just because it "doesn't affect me" is a level of tolerance which cannot be acceptable in a wealthy, advanced civilisation. A basic level of behaviour should be a characteristic which we all protect no matter what age, creed or circumstance. Maybe then people would stop feeling alone and isolated.

Remember to an increasing number a simple unconditional hello from a stranger can make the difference between a good or a "suicidal day".

So as someone said to me "So what are you going to do about it??" Roll on the 26th!