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?
I've reached some point in my philosophy of how I lead my life where I now, for the most part, find stupid people that seemingly should know better, entertaining. I find I smile a hell of lot more than I used too when stupidity annoyed me.
Gil-galad, you are more then likely correct. The lack of manners, as I would call them, is a product of the current times. They are no longer stressed or taught, so most people do not know that they are missing. They would have no idea what I was talking about if I told a male person, it was not proper to wear a hat in the house or at the table (pet peeve of mine). Nathan, you are correct too, but I'm too old not to let it annoy me. I earned the right to be a grumpy old man. D Jim
I'm a door holder... it's something that my partents instilled in me when I was younger and I still do it. Last week, a family was walking behind me as we were heading into a department store at a run down mall and I held the door. Mom and the 3 kids all said a full "thank you" and Dad gave me a 'thank you, sir." At least 2 of the kids made eye contact and their voices were sincere. I was bowled over! There are a few people raising their kids right! It was very sweet and heartwarming. At one of Dallas' high-end malls, I once held the door for 8 people (most women). Not one of them even acknowledged my presence. This is much more often the norm in my recent experience. I'd love to say that it was a recent decline, but when I was in high-school, one of my teachers railed against the loss of manners. She asked for the women to raise their hands if they had had a door opened for them in the past week. Only one or two raised their hands. I raised mine and asked if that teacher and two of the other girls in the class (who hadn't raised their hands) how they had gotten into that particular wing of the school that day. I had opened the door for them and none of the 3 had said 'thanks'.
I like to think that the stupid and inconsiderate people were placed on this earth purely for my entertainment. I've been entertained a lot lately.....
So many great thoughts here for us all to ponder. Each very well stated for sure... I too am on the sidelines being entertained by those whom I believe are typically less aware of society's expected standard(s) of behavior. For one to be able to play well with others, regardless of the level of play, simply seems too much to comprehend for an ever increasing number of the populous... While I do find it amusing, for the most part, I will admit that my patience has grown much thinner over time. Before leaving this earth, my parents knew they had taught me the difference between right and wrong. They insisted that I have respect for another's viewpoints, background, posessions, methods of organizing and/or completing a task, etc... I believe I maintain a behavioral characteristic which focuses on having true compassion for another person, and will always offer a helping hand to anyone in need. All that said, and even with considering all of the above, I'm confident there's an undetermined number of a**holes, and they know who they are, standing in line awaiting their turn to hear what I and thousands of others have to say when they've earned their right to be targeted. Simply put, fail the attitude test, and we've just gotta open up the can..... Until then, I wait patiently. The moral of the story is, as has been stated numerous times by Ron White, "You can't fix Stupid."
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) Thumper