When it was your grandparents making comments like this about 'the state the world has come to', they were old farts, out of time.
But I'm guessing that now it's you saying exactly the same thing, it's down to an actual decline in moral standards, and certainly not suggesting in any way that you are becoming an old fart, right? :frown2:
My Mom used to say, what has the world come too. On the other hand my Dad (WW2 vet) would say it was going to hell in a handbasket. Clearly though, FUBAR would cover it.
Whether you view it as bad manners or as people who seem to have a "me first" attitude, much of it seems to stem from an increasing prevalence of a general lack of empathy and situational awareness. By whatever lucky reason of chance (upbringing, military career, etc.) I think I'm usually alert to what is going on around me and how it might be affecting other people. It definitely drives me bonkers when people seem to be totally oblivious to their surroundings and the impact(s) they're causing. To wit:
- I'll bet the guy at the condiment counter wasn't trying to be annoying but likely had no effing clue as to how his actions were impacting Kitty
- Same with blocking the grocery store isle or a store front
- The guy sitting at the green light had no idea he was holding up Ronnie and so he over-reacted to the stimulus (i.e., horn) although there was no excuse for his acting like an a$$
- The parents letting their ankle-biters run amok in the restaurant probably have no clue how annoying it might be to the other patrons
I fly frequently, and the examples are endless:
- The person who carries their bag over the shoulder while walking down the aisle, not realizing that they're smacking every single person with an aisle seat in the head
- The person in front of you who goes into rapid seat recline mode, almost snapping your computer monitor in the process, and leaving the seat reclined even when they are leaning forward to eat their snack
- The people who grossly ignore the carry-on bag size and number guidance
- The people sitting in the rear of the plane who just so happened to fill up all of your overhead bin storage as they passed by
- etc., etc.
Honestly, more often than not I don't think folks are intending to be mean or annoying. But they do seem to lack some fundamental societal skills that are only partially associated with moral standards. Perhaps it's an unfortunate by-product of the new information technology age?
Some have wondered where all this came from: How does 'do your own thing', 'let it all hang out', 'don't trust anyone over 30', 'if it feels good, do it', and etc. sound?
With a large portion of the population having raised their children with many of those ideals, are we perhaps now reaping the rewards of thier misdirected energy?
You 'young-uns' !! I just say "EXCUUSSSE ME", and push around them... it is amazed at their looks are as if they were oblivious to being anywhere, much less in the middle of the lane/row/traffic...!!
What really gets me is their answers.."not a problem" ... 'HEY!!' or just the dirty look!! LOL that opens up the chance to say some thing about their mother, or dad , or cousins..or just smile and hope they got the message!!
I say... stop and look at YOUR kids, and YOUR actions..lol
Merry Christmas..
Just me..............................( old school disapline)
