Letter: Zero tolerance

By Letter to the Editor on March 24, 2026.

Dear editor,

At 63, I am comfortable I’ve learned a few things over the years. It’s never been about diplomas and degrees. Call it life experience. Lessons of great value ingrained by living life.

I am aware “times have changed.” Very few of us, as seniors, arrive at this stage of life without having dealt with change frequently over the years. Actually, change has pretty much been the constant. And so I chuckle to myself when I attend facilities in the city where signage is posted in full view: “Zero Tolerance.” The additional content on the signs goes on to ask that people behave respectfully, or else.

I am befuddled this even has to be addressed. A plea for voluntary compliance. Are there really so many bad actors among us making it their duty to create misery and discomfort for personnel at hospitals, car dealerships, the bank or recreation facilities?

The fact that someone in a workplace had to chat amongst the group, print a sign, have it approved, then post it on site, might simply demonstrate a high degree of hyper-sensitivity among the personnel. Or, for some reason, perhaps too many facility users or customers feel entitled to choose ranting and raving over common courtesy.

I imagine the latter is more likely the case. I am of a proud generation where, as a youngster my ball cap was slapped off my head because I had not removed it at an event during the national anthem. Yes, it was embarrassing for me, but even as a kid back then I had the constitution to be able to understand the context and how to deal with it appropriately.

In retrospect, I am thankful my wonderful father took that action. I’m also thankful for those who supported how he chose to handle it. It was an effective means to make the point. Can you guess how many times my ball cap was a problem? That’s right. Once. Message received.

That these “Zero Tolerance” signs have become commonplace throughout our fine city is, I think, unfortunate. It seems like so many among us simply haven’t gotten the message. Must be a sign of the times, eh?

Glen Erickson

Medicine Hat

11
-10