BOTH the public and students feel that young people nowadays seem to show less consideration and respect for others. Speaking to Young Post after a recent talk show with the theme ''Manner and Modes'', fourth-former Cheung Sing-tak said: ''I feel that Hongkong students often neglect manners.'' She said local schools paid too much attention to the academic arena, which might be why students ignored the importance of manners. ''Furthermore, teachers cannot spare the time to talk about the issue in class as they have a heavy work load.'' The science student from Kei Yuen College said students should learn about manners on their own. The talk show, part of the ''Living English Essay Competition '93'' programme, was presented by RTHK disc jockeys Clarence Yang Kut-si and Donald Tu Ka-bo. They talked about the links between manners, behaviour and culture and the contrasts between Chinese and western manners. Yang told Young Post that the topic was very meaningful. ''Teenagers nowadays are a bit spoiled. They are breaking away from Chinese traditions.'' The competition's organising committee chairman, Mr Phileas Fok Kwan-wing, said: ''Generally speaking, today's youngsters show much less respect to their parents and teachers. There are also less channels to teach the topic as there is barely enough timefor academic subjects.'' This was the reason that the committee came up with an essay competition with the theme ''Manner and Modes'', Mr Fok said. The contest, organised by the Lions Clubs International District 303, is aimed at developing students' interest in writing and building up their confidence in using English as a communication medium. It is divided into senior and junior sections. Participants are required to write about a topic in line with the content of the talk show. They can choose their own topic or use one or more of the suggested topics, including ''Why are Manners Important?'', ''Why is our programme called Manners and Modes ?'' and ''Why do nations, as well as individuals, need to have good manners?''. The first three winners from each section will each receive a trophy and a round-trip ticket to the United States to take part in a one-week Lions Youth Exchange Camp in the summer. The essay should be submitted to the School Activities Section of the Education Department, Room 934, 9th floor, Wu Chung House, 197-221 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai on or before Tuesday.