Whatever became of good manners, common courtesy and breeding? In this global community of ours rudeness seems to have become the order of the day. I happened to read an article in Huffington Post a couple of days ago and noticed there were more than 100 comments. It was appalling how many readers resorted to foul language, name-calling and Barbarian behavior in their responses. I think political correctness has boomeranged. The gender-specific "ess" has been banned. One is no longer a stewardess, she is a flight attendant. A waitress is now a server. But the idea that the population has taken sensitivity training is absurd. People are getting meaner and ruder.
In my youth, parents, teachers and older siblings often reminded us to say please, thank you, never speak with a mouthful of food, never to slurp soup or make that annoying sound through the straw, sit up straight and never to hold the fork like a caveman. They warned that if you couldn't find something nice to say, it was better to remain silent. While standing in the checkout line at Walmart a few days ago I was nearly knocked over by a group of rowdy children. They circled their mother screaming, grabbing candy and demanding that she pay for it. The demands became ear-splitting. The mother was too busy texting on her cell phone to discipline them. It was bedlam. The gentleman ahead of me turned to me frowning and said, "I'd rather go back to VietNam than stand in this line." I told him that I'd never been there but it was beginning to sound pretty good to me too.
The following day I was stopped at a red light in Marina del Rey. When the light changed the driver behind me honked twice and passed me on the right. What a glorious comeuppance when the next light turned red. That didn't stop him from continuing on his mad dash to the head of the line. At each light, he repeated his routine until he was four cars ahead of me. Unfortunately for him and his new black Porsche he pulled to the right and got stuck behind a row of parked vehicles. Nobody would let him out. I stopped and gave him the Queens' wave, allowing him to maneuver back into the lane ahead of me. Being polite to a jerk always makes my day.
Rudeness does seem to run rampant these days. Responding in kind to these folks only brings us down to their level. Politeness to a jerk always seem to make me feel better too.
Many thanks for your comment. I appreciate you.
Talking on cell phones in public places needs to be added near the top of the list. How terribly annoying to be eating in a restaurant and have to listen to other people discussing all manner of things without any regard for those around them. The Wal-mart kids without manners are the adults of tomorrow without manners. But you are absolutely once again on target when you smile and wave to a perp thereby frustrating the hell out of them and giving you the satisfaction of having won the mental battle. Keep up the good work.
I always appreciate your astute comments. Thank you.
You are a very smart person to realize the inherent dangers of this great technology, Chloe. I'm flattered that you took the time to comment and added your own perpective to this issue. I wish you much success and many blessings. Thank you.
I observe the occasional rudeness, but for the most part I find most people to be quite pleasant. I'm sorry you've surrounded yourself with such rude individuals or visit places where rude people congregate. I hope life and the people around you improve. Cheers!
Thanks for all you give back to the community. The force be with you! xoxoxo
Yes people are becoming meaner. I haven't noticed a problem with younger people though. It seems to be the middle aged men who are too loud on their phones and women who let their kids run around like little brats. This isn't a sexist thing to say, only my personal observations. Drivers are the worst though (and I do mean men and women both). I love the people who drive so close to your car that you have to weight stopping for a light or going through so they won't hit you. As far as people like this SoCal Man? You don't owe anyone an answer. He is only trying to rile you up so pity his lonliness and move on. You don't have to respond to every loser and besides don't you have to get over to the WSJ now?
No, I do not actually work at WSJ. I enjoy contributing because it's fun. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I'm glad to see that you use your name instead of going under the guise of a fictitious name like "SoCalMan". I have my suspicions about his identity but I may never know for sure.
I would respond to your negative theory but I choose to see the good in the people and choose not to focus on Negative Nancy behavior that you are exhibiting. I hope you find a way to navigate out of such negativity. It must be depressing. The world is a wonderful place. Life is far too short to focus your energies on searching out the bad apples. Biting from the sweet apples is so much more enjoyable. Cheers.
Well done, Ms. Irene!
As to my name, it's not really relevant. Most of you comment with your real names and frankly it hasn't improved the quality of your comments or your manners. But, if you'd like to know my name, just have the courage to ask directly, irene. Passive-aggressive isn't cute on a date and it isn't cute in a blogger, either. It's amazing how many people can be so rude yet demand manners from others. But, I guess it's how Americans have operated for centuries, eh?
Everyone exhibits bad manners was the point of my comments. Most of you proved it with how quickly you each resorted to nastiness, mob mentality, and innuendo with your comments. Hopefully, it will serve as a reminder that we are all rude from time to time and that we all need to improve our manners. Cheers!
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