In my own opinion I think manners are declining. When I was growing up we always said yes sir or yes ma'am. Now I hardly ever hear that. Also if I acted the way alot of parents let their kids act in stores or in public at all, my parents would whoop my butt.
It kinda seems so at times. The world is becoming less personal with technological changes speeding the pace and manner in which business is conducted. You still find a lot of people making an effort to conduct their social interactions in polite and respectful mode.
Good question. I'm not sure if good manners are declining or have leveled off at a steady low. Of course manners, I've noticed also depends on location. I live in an area that has a high religious community. I've noticed that the manners here are better, for the most part, then the area I moved from. Here, doors are often (not always) held open for ladies, where as, my old neighborhood, the door might just be closed in front of a lady on purpose.
But then, just to be contrary, there are exceptions in both areas that make you re-think your position.
Yes, no one returns calls, you get service with an attitude in many places, too much loud cell phone users, people texting on cell phone while you are talking to them on landline, people eating while talking on phone,people not introducing one another, and I could go on and on. During my career selling high end industry specific products, I always talked to my customer politely, never cursed, and told them the truth about deliveries and mistakes. My honesty made me one of the most popular in the company. You don't see that anymore. You are told what you want to hear, not the truth, which is the ultimate rudeness. Keithold, you have the best manners on this site. I'm too lazy to greet each person by name as you do, but I do try to give an honest answer.
Quite possibly. Perhaps it is connected with the death of proper grammar lol It might also be a relative concept for each generation. I do not do things previous generations did but it is not for lack of respect. It is just not normal for people my age. I just try my best to be polite, hold doors and say thanks when warranted :)
Sad but true. I miss the good old days where certain things just WERE. Manners were a must & although you dont see as much of it anymore i know i'm doing the right thing in using mine at all times its necessary. All i can do is instill it in my children & hope it continues.
In general, good manners are definitely lacking. I am SICK of seeing men SPIT and seeing the guys come in restaurants wearing tank shirts. I prefer NOT to look at hairy armpits while eating. There are thousands of other examples of bad manners. However, I am fortunate to live and work in an excellent part of town so I do not have to bare witness to this very much. I really cannot tolerate cell phones in the dining area or people making huge clonking noises while stirring their tea. Don't they hear their noises? If people would only stop to listen to themselves---walk, talk, slam cabinets, etc---many bad manners could be eliminated!! Anyway, thanks Keithhold for an EXCELLENT question!
In my opinion not the manners are declining but the society's interest on next generation. The modern educational system relies on parents to educate their children and here comes the gap.
* Most of parents work long hours spending less time with their youth. The booming of technology increases family's expenses and therefore parents try to keep the fast pace by working much more than the previous generation * Not all parents have the knowledge about the manner code. They come from different backgrounds with different style of eating, sneezing, greeting, so on.
Yes ! No One Says Please, Or Thank You Or Excuse Me.People Cut In Line, Cut You Off In Traffic, Burp Like Cavemen.. Anywhere They Please And Just Laugh.. I Say Yes Ma'm And No Sir And Yes Sir. Yes Ma'm.. I've Seen People Flip The Bird At At Elderly People Just Because They Weren't Walking Fast Enough..I Guess It's Just Not " Cool" Enough To Teach Good Manners
I live in a more affluent, less crowded part of town, and I have not found good manners lacking. The people here are very pleasant and well behaved, even at the mall.
All my grandchildren, nieces and nephews have been taught, and use, good manners.
