A recent video, doing rounds on social media, shows 12 naked male tourists with their pants down, sitting on a ledge in St Julian's and waving at passing drivers, reveals the rock bottom level of mannerisms this country is facing. This liberalistic mentality is taking Malta by storm. This prompted me to take a cursory look at civic education in Malta in the early 1960s.

During the 1960s, civic education for the general public in Malta was introduced by means of a booklet dated January 1963, entitled Kif iġġib ruħek sewwa (How to behave well). This booklet was compliled by Emilio Camilleri, M.L.A., and approved by the Civic Education Committee. It was published by the Ministry of Education.

In 1963, Malta was moving swiftly along the path towards independence from Britain, preparing to take its place among the world's emerging democracies. As part of Malta's preparation for this event, Dr Antonio Paris, M.D., M.L.A., Minister of Education considered appropriate, given this context of an emerging free nation, to publish a booklet on civic education.

Interestingly, and although no document exists affirming this, it is said that during Napoleon's visit to Malta in 1798 (after the French occupied these Islands), he expressed disappointment at the behaviour of the Maltese man in the street. He went to say, "the best cooks are the French, the best soldiers are the British and the rudest persons are the Maltese". If Napolean truly stated this, what prompted him to exclaim such a statement is very unclear; but it is no perception to state that at the time, civic education and education in general was lacking among the poorer strata of Maltese society.

Undoubtedly, a nation, which is generally well-educated in a moral, civic and ethical sense, is a nation that earns respect. Bad behaviour, especially in public and in human relationships is visually and emotionally irritating and degrading.

In his introductory remarks to the booklet, Minister Paris did not mince his words in stating that Malta's image is at stake and in upholding such an image, the Civic Education Committee was publishing the booklet in order to pinpoint common shortcomings in behaviour that required correction. He also hoped and wished that the committee would find the cooperation of the general public in following these guidelines.

What follows is a translation of the contents of this booklet which should give a general overview to those areas that were addressed. Some of these manners may sound outdated in our time and age. Still, they reflect the Maltese culture of those days. It is also fair to state that many suggestions, if not most, are still relevant and are still badly lacking in Maltese society, not only by some members of the Maltese population but by many foreigners who visit our country.

How to behave well

Every person draws love and respect from his/her neighbour judging by an educated and gentle countenance. We can call an individual educated and polite judging by the respect shown towards others, irrespective of his status in society. Those who avoid upsetting others or do harm to their neighbours are worthy to be called educated.

The educated person not only shows respect to one and all but is always ready to help his neighbour when time and need arises.

Street behaviour

This means keeping a clean and well-groomed body and in garb, especially when you are in public. This also means that you should be decently dressed and not offending others in what you wear.

When meeting an aquaintance in the street, salute the person and your manners should reveal that you are happy to meet the person. Do not speak with a high tone of voice and there is no need for gestures that might irritate others. It is not polite to keep your hands in your pockets or to whistle.

A person accompanied by a woman or another man who is elderly, or who occupies a high position in society, should walk to the left side of them; if walking on the pavement the person should always stay on the left (to the side of the road).

A male who meets a female, or a person who is of a higher status, should salute by removing his hat and if not wearing a hat, bow slightly his head as a sign of salute.

A woman who needs to adjust or pull up her stockings in the street, should never do this manifestly, but should find a discrete corner or recess to do so.

It is bad manners when walking in the street to walk carelessly, push others with one's hands, block pavements, or bump into others carelessly or cross the road recklessly.

It is rude to peep into other persons' windows or other people's property, especially through open windows or doors, as well as minding other people's business.

It is uncivil to write on walls, scratch walls, doors and street furniture by means of a sharp instrument; breaking and damaging government and private property are all prohibited as well as the littering of streets and beaches.

It is a sign of rudeness, when during a procession, someone crosses the road through the procession. Likewise it is rude not to bow one's head in front of a holy image.

Behaviour in society

Do not look fixatedly at someone, especially women and young girls. The behaviour of an educated person in public should be reticent and exercised with restraint and reservedness.

Behaviour between males and females, male and female youths, irrespective of age, should not offend the sentiments of others.

Before shaking other people's hands, make sure your hands are clean and dry.

When meeting a friend on the street who is younger than yourself, you should be the first to shake hands; if you are wearing a glove remove the one in the right hand. A woman can leave the gloves on.

When a man meets a woman or a person who occupies a higher status in society, he should allow them to present themselves first for the handshake.

When coming across a number of people at the same time, salute them with a smile and after start shaking hands with those you know, unless someone introduces you with people you never met before.

When introducing other peopole to each other, you should follow these steps:

• If they happen to be two people of the same societal status or of the same sex, you can introduce their names without following any order;
• When one person is the eldest introduce the youngest to the eldest;
• When introducing one person who holds a lower status than the other, introduce the lowest to the highest;
• Between male and female introduce the male to the female;
• Between a priest and a secular member of society present the secular to the priest.

When speaking to someone, show interest in what they are saying and do not interrupt and do not try to say only what you want to say.

When speaking to someone, do not use an attitude of excess curiosity about their private matters. And when disagreeing about something, be calm and speak with a soft tone. Never use inappropriate words or words with double meanings; do not insult, offend or try to make fun of people. Do not brag about yourself.

It is not ethical or polite when asked a question to reply with an arrogant and presumptuous manner.

When you are sweating you should never wipe the sweat with your hands, but this should be done by means of a handkerchief.

When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief.

After using the handkerchief to clean you nostrils do not open it to look inside, but fold it and put it in your pocket.

Do not use rough or dirty jokes, which could hurt or irritate others.

After being served in a coffee shop, do not linger near the counter but make space for others in the queue to be served.

It is impolite for a man to remove his jacket in a public place, theatre, bar, coffee shop, restaurant, especially so, when accompanied by his wife or girlfriend.

When going up a stairway together, the man should allow the woman to go up first; when descending the man takes precedence.

When a man and woman are entering a place, the woman takes precedence both in coming in and exiting.

When a man goes to the cinema, cafeteria or restaurant, he should not let the female pay the bill, and when being presented with the bill, which he considers excessive, he should never complain in front of the female.

When accompanied by his wife or girlfriend who wants to remove or put on her coat or raincoat, he should help her with gentleness and prudence.

It is a sign of lack of education when, in public, you put your finger in your mouth or your nose, scratching your head or any other body part, clicking fingers, cleaning your nose using noises, spitting, yawning loudly, grinding one's teeth, giving your back to someone who is conversing with you, speaking into one's ears, intruding into people who are conversing with each other, when not using the words, "please" or "thank you" and when chatting loudly during a film or other representations.

It is rude to remain seated or not to stand in an upright position, when talking to a women or to your superior. It is also impolite to put your hands in your pockets or rest with your back against the wall or place your elbows on the table or chair.

Educated people, when addressing others, who occupy a higher societal status or people with whom one is not acquanted with, should always address such persons with the titles: Sir or Madam, Mr or Mrs, Dun or Father, Sister or Mother.

It is impolite to address people with whom you are not aquainted with words such as, "Aah", "Ġbin" or "Sieħbi".

It is impolite for children to call theirr parents, xiħa or xiħ.

Good manners in cars and other means of transport

When purchasing a ticket, or before boarding a vehicle, keep your position in line with the queue.

When boarding a char-a-banc, or other means of transport, do not occupy more than your seating space, by opening your legs or crossing them, or using any other position that upsets the person seated next to you or behind you. This applies also to places of entertainment.

When accompanied by children do not let them stand on the seats or messing the seats with food; it is important to teach them by example, such as giving up their seat to women, the elerly, the disabled, and persons from religious orders and priests.

A woman, before seating, should not lift up her skirt from behind and should keep her legs closed and touching each other and makes sure that she is not being observed by those seated in front or next to her.

When a man notices a woman boarding a vehicle holding a child, pram or any other weight, he should assist her, even if he does not know the woman.

Good behaviour should be used with the conductor of the bus, even if he does not merit it.

Do not throw anything from the bus onto the road (paper material, cigarette ends and other objects; do not spit in the vehicle or on to the road).

Before opening or closing a window, or before smoking, make sure that you are not upsetting other passengers. Do not speak with a loud voice or in any other way that bothers those around you.

Do not converse with the driver while the vehicle is moving.

Behaviour in the home

Good behaviour should not be reserved only with outsiders and outside the home, but should primarily start at home between the members of the family. Children should be courteous with their parents, with their siblings and with relatives. Parents should always use exemplary behaviour in front of their children, even when correcting them.

Outsiders, who are helping in the home should be treated with respect and education. The words, "please" and "thank you" should not be in short supply at home, between members of the family, as well as between family members and outsiders working in the home.

It is bad behaviour to keep loudspeakers, rediffusion or television on a high volume. This also applies to other instruments which could upset neighbours.

The booklet also provides useful behaviour guidelines during meals, such as table manners. Other tips include behaviour inside holy places (churches), behaviour between the public and employees, especially those in private and public employment

Biographical notes

Antonio Paris: During the First World War, Antonio Paris was a civil surgeon. He held several government posts until he retired on pension in 1949. He successfully contested the 1953, 1955 and 1962 elections. In 1954 and 1962 he was nominated Minister of Education.

Emilio Camilleri: He was involved in several governmental, cultural and religious committees and organisations, besides political associations. He was a member of the executive committee of the Labour Party (1921-23) and in 1962, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly for the CWP (Christian Workers Party). Among other roles, he was a member of the University of Malta Council (1962), the Advisory Board of Education (1963), the Malta Arbitration Tribunal (1964) and the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce Council (1974-70). He was also a prolific writer in the Maltese language and apart from Kif iġġib ruħek sewwa, he published Iġjene populari (1963).