So you don’t murder, pillage or harm anyone. You even recycle, donate loose change to charity and give your seat to that old lady when you are not busy pretending not to see her. But that doesn’t necessarily make you a good person if you neglect the people around you. Of course, we don’t mean bending over backwards for anyone. But it’s relatively easy to be a better person because all anyone wants is some attention.

Say it
Whether it’s love, anger or frustration, tell it to that person. Suppressed emotions, when they do finally explode, often morph into bigger problems than they originally started.

Stop talking
Are you one of those people who, like, have this amazing story about how you once met this fortune teller in some exotic Bornean village who told you that you have some sort of ability but then you had a dream that told you otherwise and it was, like, wow? Well, that story sucks and you talk too much. So hush, and learn to listen more. People will love you for it.

Remember birthdays
This is the simplest and most important one at that. People expect to be remembered on this day, more so than ever. Download software such as MiniMinder (www.vellosoft.com/miniminder) onto your desktop or make use of the online Google Calendar and it’ll do the difficult job of reminding you of upcoming birthdays so the least you can do is make a call. Or send an e-card.

Beat it out of you
We are a generation with issues. And it’s better to take out our anger on an object or sport than our friends and family. To vent out frustration, we recommend Muay Thai (Allied Martial Arts Gym, Desa Sri Hartamas, 03 2300 1429/TNT Kickboxing, Desa Sri Hartamas, 03 6201 2342/www.tntkickboxing.com). This ancient martial art, also referred to as Thai boxing, utilises eight different points of your body instead of just those two fists as is the case with traditional boxing. So it really will keep you fit both physically and mentally.

Bake your brownie points
Your co-workers are among some of the people you spend the most time with. But it doesn’t always have to be about work. Bake this easy peasy peanut butter chocolate brownie (tinyurl.com/TOKLbrownies) and share them at the office. Grease the wheel a little and it’ll be easier to ask for favours later on.

Stop blocking the escalator
It’s as simple as stand on the left or walk through on the right. When the sign says stand on the left, it means it. Especially at train stations. Don’t be the inconsiderate idiot who causes people to miss their train by a millisecond because you were blocking their only way through.

Learn something new
You’re never too old for, well, most things really. Go for Spanish classes (Inter Cultural Language School 03 5635 0393/www.icls.com.my), learn to scuba dive (Scuba Dynamics, 03 2800 1489/www.scubadynamics.com.my) or pick up an instrument other than that Wii controller (The Music Room, www.themusicroom.com.my). Whatever it is, it’s bound to boost your self-esteem and make you a better person overall. New skill sets will breathe something fresh into your life.

Stop at the zebra crossing
Sitting in the comfort of your air-conditioned car, it’s easy to forget how terrible the pedestrians have it. Having to walk in the heat and the smog is bad enough without having to dodge all the cars coming at them even on a zebra crossing. You would curse too when one day the tables are turned and you’re at the mercy of the drivers on the road. So give the pedestrians a break.