whatever happend to politeness?

[Winter Wolf]

not directed at anyone in particular (and certainly not at people on the board, you guys are way more polite than most people i've encountered), but what happend to things like "please", "thank you", and "excuse me"? they seem to have been replaced by things like "gimme that", "get outta my way", and "hurry up and die already".

does it skip generations like some recessive genetic defect? i mean, i've met older people (60's) that have been *generally* more polite, and also some of the younger ones (16-30) that understand basic niceties. ....and then you've got those little brats (under 16) that have mouths dirtier than sewers, and those middle aged bitter ice-holes that seem to be trying to pick a fight. (i'm 27, if anyone wonders.)

unfortunately it seems that good manners don't rub off nearly as well as bad manners. i'm guilty, i know. but i still feel bad about it. i dread the day my descent into rude MF territory stops bothering me! but you know, you can only take so many snide comments and cold stares before ya just look 'em right in the eye and say, "oh yeah? well bring it, if you got the cajones, you bleeping-bleep-bleee-eeeeee-eeeee-eeee-eeep!!" (fishermen always did have a way with cursing! hee)

anyone else notice this happening? or am i just "mr. lucky" and need to relocated to a more mellow region?

[wellard]

Strewth top post Winter wolf!

I try hard with my kids, they may grow up thugs but damn they will be polite thugs if I have a say
On a recent trip back to England I used public transport a lot and was saddened by every time I offered my seat to a older person or a lady the lack of thanks I got or in some cases just plain shock as if I was from mars many times I offered and was just snubbed! Leaving me embarrassed and sad.

Yes manners have decayed, a sign perchance of civilisation disappearing up its own arse?

[Sigmar]

Originally posted by wellard: Yes manners have decayed, a sign perchance of civilisation disappearing up its own arse?

Hah! That ship sailed a long time ago my friend.

As a people we're getting more selfish and rude, perhaps it's always been that way in every generation, I dunno.

What I do know is that most people wouldn't know good manners if they walked up to them and poured gravy on their heads.

[johnny]

Excuse me ?

[Winter Wolf]

good one, johnny! only took me three read throughs to get that joke.

and wellard, i hear you. i've more or less given up on givng seats to people. the thing is, here the people you're trying to help get pushed out of the way--literally-- by some selfish prig who's getting off at the next stop anyway. as for thugs, heh, just make sure they're *honest* thugs, not those weasly trickster types. ^__^;;

[Mack_Attack]

Well I have to say that things have changed and will keep on changing. It his hard to pin point where the problem is. I still feel as parents we need to do are part to try to keep your kids on track. Our big thing with Sydney is to make sure she always says please and thank you and excuse me(she can fart something fierce). [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 03-19-2005, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Mack_Attack ]

[johnny]

Originally posted by Mack_Attack: Well I have to say that things have changed and will keep on changing. It his hard to pin point where the problem is. I still feel as parents we need to do are part to try to keep your kids on track. Our big thing with Sydney is to make sure she always says please and than you and excuse me(she can fart something fierce). [img]smile.gif[/img]

She takes after her daddy then eh ?

[Mack_Attack]

Originally posted by johnny: quote: Originally posted by Mack_Attack: Well I have to say that things have changed and will keep on changing. It his hard to pin point where the problem is. I still feel as parents we need to do are part to try to keep your kids on track. Our big thing with Sydney is to make sure she always says please and than you and excuse me(she can fart something fierce). [img]smile.gif[/img]

She takes after her daddy then eh ? [/QUOTE]I was going to say Mom. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Cloudbringer]

I know what you're saying Winter Wolf! It's funny, I'll see a dozen really rude people in a day and then one person breaks the mold and is polite, bringing back my belief that they're out there, just not always the most visible.

The other day I'd had several rude people in my office but on my way out the door a young man in a wheelchair actually held a door open for ME! I thought he was incredibly polite and thoughtful, as I was carrying several bags and struggling through the first set of doors I got to when he opened the second one and held it. Just restores your faith in humankind to have one nice deed in a day.

I try to remember that when I'm driving too, and let someone in when we're at a crossroad or highway onramp.

[ 03-19-2005, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

[Bungleau]

Many folks don't quite get it. I think it's an extension of the "not my fault" attitude that seems so prevalent -- why use manners? It's not my fault... must be someone else's.

My kids are being raised to be polite. And while my son doesn't fart all that much, he can sure belch with the best of 'em