The annual general meeting of a listed company is an opportunity for shareholders who are concerned about the companys performance to find out about it firsthand and to give useful feedback.

Yet more often than not, crowds of shareholders would attend it for all the wrong reasons, most irritating of which are to bash the directors and management for not giving out door gifts or to help themselves to the free food provided.

Well, heres some news for these people: The company is not obligated to 'reward' them with lavish door gifts and sumptuous food just because they have 'supported' it by buying its shares.

The makan (food) or gifts some companies give are simply a gesture of hospitality and thanks to the shareholders. After all, its not often that the company directors meet shareholders. It is also part of our Asian culture that when we host a gathering of people, we welcome them with food or gifts to show our appreciation for their presence.

And while were known to be a nation of food lovers, its really too much for some shareholders to tah pau (take away in Cantonese) the food while others are still eating! They didn't even bother to wait for the leftovers, if any, as they should.

Shareholders should be educated and made aware that owning shares in a particular company comes with some responsibility.

The question is who should educate them? The company concerned? The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange? The Securities Commission? Or stockbroking companies as part of their public relations exercise?

If some entity were to conduct or disseminate information about responsibilities of a shareholder, please broadcast it far and wide. (However, I'm not sure if these people will take heed since they are so thick-skinned.)

This raises another topic, i.e. human behaviour and mentality. Can education change these people since such behaviour of theirs is triggered by some inherent selfishness, narrow-mindedness, greed, etc.?