''Go to hell'' – a lethal expression that has found an enhanced frequency in the day-to-day verbal interaction among people in Pakistani society. Of course not all, not even a majority of them, use the same expression and wording, the variety that comes in use in the sovereign vituperation while chastising others can be, for purposes of communication, encompassed in this single expression of English language – not amply though. 

The privilege of being the sole authority over the control of words uttered in conversations formal, informal, direct, indirect or by the way, has been misused exactly the way a dictator abuses his de-facto command and supremacy.

For example; whether you request the driver of the local transport to drive a bit carefully, inquire unknowingly a shopkeeper about a not-so-profiting article which he doesn't trade in, humbly ask a clerk at a government office a question which he deems outside his sphere of responsibility or beg a bank official, sipping tea out of a mug to work a bit vigilantly as you are running out of time on the last date of admission/job application; they think it their sole discretion to behave towards you in the manner they think fit; a discretion which often concludes at the most rigorous punishment.

From then on it’s your own luck. You can be directed to mind your own business, shut your mouth; asked to not be a brain-eater or called a dumb, dunce, ignorant, ill-informed and lazy chap leaving your application till the last date. At very fortunate instances, you may have the luxury of being responded to politely or the opportunity of witnessing the weird aberration of someone humbly surrendering to your demand. To be on the safer side, always be prepared for the worst.

When it comes to the antipathy towards the public, Policemen stand in a separate asterisk of their own. The police never has any problem going out of bounds in their addiction to power and its misuse. In the performance of their duty, the usage of harsh words, embarrassing remarks, vilifying gestures and the like are claimed by them as a matter of right. The driving force behind this abnormal action of the police is easier to diagnose. They erroneously misconstrue ''authority'' for ''power'', ignoring the fact that the word power carries with itself a certain degree of illegitimacy as opposed to lawful authority. Authority, meanwhile, gives rise to responsibility which most of us try to avoid.

There are a number of factors behind this collective behavioral chain. Generally, a lack of quality education due to which positive moral values such as politeness, selflessness, honesty, truthfulness, etc are not only ignored but are ruthlessly mocked at.

Poverty and humble finances, propelling the poor to pour out their frustration in one way or the other; feeling of self-importance and materialism; lust for power and wrongful exercise of authority; taking pride in disrespecting others; annoyance with the prevailing social structure; grievance related to one's job or social status; feeling threatened due to social insecurity; frustration due to lack of opportunities or self-confidence; holding the society at large responsible for one's deprivations and an urge to exact revenge on whoever comes in the way; are factors leading to abnormal and flagitious behavior.

In our society, however, the lack of education as a factor contributing in this regard is a half-truth. The ubiquitous and all-prevalent disrespectful behavior isn't specific to the uneducated masses. The educated lot contributes equally in this regard- with an alarming degree of self-righteousness, pride and arrogance.

Finding instant solutions to the aforementioned problems is no more than wishful thinking. In the long run, it’s for the government to provide people with enough opportunities and social security; mitigate their worries and annoyance; provide quality education and media campaigning on moral norms and values and to put an end to their frustration and deprivations in order to establish a healthy and mutually constructive society.

For an abrupt change, as a basic unit of the society, we, individually, need to change our perception and efface the aura of class-difference in our mind while communicating with others. Those in the offices and public positions must act as servants of the public. Everybody should be dealt with the same degree of dignity, indiscriminately.

The formula is simple; give respect and earn respect. To avoid being disrespected, primarily we should stop disrespecting others. Too much of palaver and ''go to hell', lets spread smiles by our friendly and cordial behaviour towards everybody.