One morning at the school I am currently undergoing my teaching practicum in.
I was walking towards a group of students who were training for an upcoming competition when suddenly one of them said something like this, "Hey, it's Shorty!"
Mind you, the term Shorty here does not refer to a hot chick like the way the rappers and the RnB singers used it. When that kid addressed me as Shorty he was referring to my height. (Yes, I am quite short.)
Imagine how angry I am! I mean, I am short but I am still a teacher for God's sake! Even if I'm not a teacher, what right does he have to mock me like that?
But I tried to remain calm. If it was my little brother calling me by such names, no doubt I will beat the hell out of him. Luckily, it's not. Still this fella needs to be taught to respect other people, just not by yelling or cursing at him. Beating him or even canning him is definitely out of question - in Malaysia, even qualified teachers are not allowed to cane students, let alone teacher trainees like me. Only certain teachers are allowed to cane students (I can't remember who, but among those are definitely the Headmaster and the Discipline Teacher). So no, I ain't gonna yell, but I ain't gonna go smooth either.
So I definitely nag the hell out of him. But no, no vulgar words are used. I could have told the Discipline Teacher about what he did because mocking teachers is a serious offense in Malaysian schools, but I didn't do so. Why? Well, for all we know, that kid might have no idea that what he's done is not morally right. Besides, if the Discipline Teacher ever know this has happened, there will be no way out for that fella.
I just took down his name and which class he is in. I warned him that the next time he does anything like this there will be no mercy for him. I told him that he'll gonna hope that the Discipline Teacher have some mercy on him next time. (Which seldom happens - my school's Discipline Teachers are not the ones who let people off easily, man. If he gave you a good bashing and that's it - you're lucky.)
Well, I definitely learn something today. Yes, there's nothing wrong in respecting students, but never let them end up not respecting teachers.
