What Ever Happened to Common Courtesey?

This happens all of the time to everyone. Not much you can do so move on. don't let mean people bug you. The guys were a jerk, about the door I made a point to be able to do things on my own, when people try to help sometimes it makes things harder on me. People may not have realized you were struggling.

Also we all have bad days. I know I have said or done things that I later felt bad about.

I know how you feel. I had a very full shopping cart, 4 kids and not feeling myself. I start to get in line. The lady cuts me off bumping my cart...and actally looks at me and says "i am faster". She is so lucky that i shut my mouth. I wanted to say...and that makes you proud. I had just been in the hospital a few days earlier... i wanted to scream all of this at her and tell her that she is an evil BEEP. BUT... she was not worth my stress, time or breath!

I hate that there are people out there like this. I go out of my way to hold the door or help others. I am about to wash 13 or so bears for cancer kids. Fortunately my kids are following in my footsteps. I guess that is all we can hope for... that we raise humans better than those people were raised!

I do not know what has happened, I am in a wheel chair and people push in front of me in line at the store, walk in front of me when I am going forward just waiting for me to run into them. Kids run in front of me and if I hit them with the front of my chair the parents get mad at me. But on the other had people will stop and get things off the top shelf, open doors, and get out of the way when I am going down a narrow area. There are just some people out there that need to have a reason to be rude or start a problem. They will get theirs by someone bigger and madder one of these days and I hope that I am not around when it happens. Just keep going and tell them that you were just being polite and see how they answer....

Full bus. VERY old couple comes on board (bent over 1/2, late 80's and cataracts old). NO ONE stands up for them. So I did. 9 months pregnant (I delivered a week or two later). Which, of course, created a little argument between the couple and myself. I won, and his wife got to sit. Courtesy still lives, but rude people seem to flock.

Here's a not-so-cheerful answer, and I'm sure others will disagree. The world's getting too crowded, and people are stressed and fighting for diminishing resources. These include money, jobs, time, space, and personal power, which for many people, translates as respect. Social services become strained just when they're more urgently needed, and society fails to thrive.

Jam more people into the same geographical space, and tensions are inevitable. I've watched this building over the five-plus decades of my life, and it looks like it's going to get worse, not better.

There is a study of rats which, when allowed to overpopulate and crowd their cages, begin to fight a lot, and even eat their young. Their social order breaks down. People have similar creature needs and responses.

But I don't believe there's anything to be gained by playing the game of Ain't It Awful. There's not much to do about other people's behavior. But we can be responsible for our own. How much are any of us willing to do to support the social contract? I kinda knock myself out, because I want the world my grandson is growing up into to be worth living in. So I'm courteous, even if it isn't deserved. Heck, I even believe in paying taxes for the good of all.

I agree. It's sad. I remember being 9 months pregnant - delivered my daughter less than a week after this - I was huge, no question that I was pregnant. My feet were swollen and it was a warm day. I got on the subway and there were no seats available, of course. So I stood there trying to balance while the train lurches all over the place. A nice lady got on the train and said loudly, "Can someone please get up so this pregnant woman can get off her feet?" And a guy looks up and says, "That's what you women get for women's lib. You want to be treated the same, you don't get to sit down on the train!" Can you even believe that?! What a jerk! But guess what - no other men stood up either! A whole train of jerks whose mamas didn't raise them right.

All we can do as mamas is raise our boys to be gentlemen and raise our girls to be ladies. The "me" generation has got to stop, and it will only end because we do something about it as parents.

2 comments...

I am raising my sons to be gentlemen. I stand by a door and won't walk through it until one of them opens it (my 4 year old is hilarious about rushing to the door first!) It starts with US-- the moms on this board who care enough to gripe, the ask questions, to help eachother---- we have to raise the next generation of men who hold the door for women. I point it out when my daughter and I are out somewhere if a man (a stranger) doesn't hold the door when they see us coming. So not only am I raising my son to be a gentleman, but I am making sure my daughter has high expectations for men as she gets older.

Let me start by saying in all of your scenerios, of course you did nothing wrong.... I AM NOT attacking you in any way-- and I feel the need to clarify that because you never know how written words will come across.... I feel it's ALL of our responsibilities to speak up, not just expect others to be kind while we stand quietly waiting for them to do so. I don't think people are always selfish as much as they are just preoccupied. For example, you (rightfully) expected the men on the sidewalk to step aside, but when they didn't do so, did you (even unknowingly) shoot them dirty looks or huff at them?--- as yucky as they were, put on a (fake) smile and say, "'Excuse me-- can we slip through? Thanks!" I used to complain that cashiers at the supermarket barely give you the time of day, until a friend finally asked if I said hi to them first or if I just expected them to speak up and be friendly first since "it's their job". Ever since then (years ago!!) I always go out of my way to remember the cashier is a human like me who may have had a bad day, and I immediately take the time (no matter how stressed I am) to speak kindly and strike up a conversation. When they do the robot auto comment of "how are you?" I don't do the auto response "fine, and you?"... I always (no matter how I am really feeling) say "I'm fabulous!! How are you today??" 9 out of 10 times, they slip out of their zombie state and respond with something like, "Wow! Fabulous? I love that!" or "Well, I'm not fabulous, but I'm OK." So then I remind them that at least they're at work and there are MANY people who can't say that right now who would love to have a job... makes them wake a bit out of their cashier-mindlessly-scanning-groceries-coma and smile EVERY TIME... And maybe they're just smiling to be polite or because they think I'm crazy or annoying (haha) but a smile is contagious. People tend to respond well to happiness. Not every time of course... but if you make a CONSCIOUS decision (it's hard- you have to pay attention and work at it) to smile and be super kind to most people you meet (especially the grumpy and rude ones), you'll be surprised at how your outlook of how "people are these days" turns around.

I think part of the problem has been created by women who don't appreciate acts of courtesy from men. They want to show how "independent" they are rather than just saying thank you. We as mothers have not taught our sons that courtesy is important and not taught our daughters how to accept help. Actually if everyone just used the Golden Rule it would solve a lot of the problems in our society today. Maybe we need to start looking for at least one opportunity help someone every day.

We all have a bad day, whether it's treating others badly in the spur of the moment, or getting treated badly in the spur of someone else's moment.
Please don't give up on us- we, the good folks, are still out there, waiting patiently to hold the door for you if we get the chance.

Hi Christina. Stick to your standards. I'm with you. People are so caught up in themselves these days that it is very sad. If I am entering a store and a man or woman is coming out I do expect them to hold the door for me as I enter. I also make sure that I thank them for this gesture. I have no trouble telling people your welcome when I hold the door for them and they do not thank me. I have notice lately that parents of young children are not teaching them manners. When I see children using their manners I compliment their parents on how nice it is to see children with good manners. Don't give up. There are still decent people out there. Have a great day and chin up.

L.

Common courtesy went the way of common sense and common decency. We are all trying so hard to be better/different than everyone else that we have forgotten that the "commons" are what we should all have in common.

Let's all practice being common.

People seem to have developed a sense of entitlement - it's MY lane on the freeway, MY spot in line, MY agenda is more important, MY day that is busier. I have been driving down the freeway and gotten angry at the person in front of me because they are driving too slow. The truth of the matter is, I have two other lanes on the freeway, so if I don't like it, I can go around. I am trying to learn that I can't control other's behavior, I can only control my reaction to it. Some people are rude, some are pre-occupied, some are just plain mean. But you can't let that ruin your day.

pay it forward and teach your children well :)

selfish people raising selfish children, so on and so forth. It's apparently a trend stemming from the "Me" generation. The 80's was all about "me" and self-indulgence and "finding yourself". Unfortunately, it came at the price of courtesy. I'm sure I'll get reamed by the uber feminists, but the feminist movement is partially responsible for men losing their chivalry and courtesy. I think men can only get bitched at by feminist-minded women for so long about opening the doors, bringing flowers, etc.before they stop doing it. Anyway.... I'm on board with you.

I have a toddler and an infant and I've never been more boggled by how inconsiderate and thoughtless some people can be. It really isn't that difficult to open a door, or so horrible to let someone go ahead in line when they have next-to-nothing to purchase.

I would say I don't let it get to me- but I do on occasion. =D I've got a mouth and aggressive tendencies. Soooo....... Rude people best not piss me off, I'll beat some courtesy into them... (kidding)

I always joked that when I was pregnant-just showing a bit up to delivery-people would jump to open doors, be polite, etc. I had three easy pregnancies and while I was hugely pregnant, I needed no help. Once I had that baby and had a stroller, people would shove in front of me to keep from having to wait for me to struggle through a non-automatic door. It seems that stroller is like a huge signal to most people that you need to be avoided, berated and jumped in front of!!!
Raise your children to be polite and ALWAYS praise other people's kids when they use their manners. I've just spent three weeks in a small town with my 2 teenage daughters and 2 of their friends. They met TONS of new kids and after taking a few of the new boys to dinner, I was impressed to see that they went out of their way to thank me. I told them manners always pay off and in this case, they did. They got taken out to eat again ( a rarirty for them, they said) and they were allowed to hang out with my girls for the rest of the trip. If one kid hears his friend be polite, and they get a positive response, it spreads....
Good luck. And,yes, every once in a while I will get home and reflect that I was not paying attention and was rude to someone that day-it can happen to any of us. Bad days happen, It is a busy world.

I agree with you, people have lost their manners. Why is it that people can't think to be curteous, but yet they put sooo much thought into being politicaly correct about everything?

My mother was holding a door open for a lady at a convinience store and the lady snapped at her and said " I can get my own door, I don't need you to hold it for me!" Wow, talk about RUDE!!

Whenever I hold the door for someone and they don't say, thank you, I look at them and say, "you're welcome!". Somehow I always end up with a glaring stare that says, how dare you be rude to me!! Wow, I thought I was being considerate holding the door for someone who couldn't take the time to say thank you.

I will say though, most people do say thank you. I would love to come accross a woman like the one my mom did, lol!

I am always offering for people with smaller baskets to go ahead of me in line. Actually I prefer a line, that way I can take my time putting my groceries on the belt :) Sorry, some people only think of themselves. I like to think it'll come back to get um'.

This is why I am constantly making my 4 year old son aware of how he affects the people around him, why I praise him for being my little gentleman and helping me and opening doors. He is constantly reminded to say please and excuse me, and yes sir or yes ma'am. Courteous above all else in our house because it drives me crazy too!! Our son even gets a sticker for being nice and helping us and others. I think the key is to keep doing it even when they are older, and to make sure that the entire universe isn't about them.

Hopefully I will raise a gentleman that will command the right woman for him! As parents, we're the ones who have to teach our kids that manners are important! Make sure you're daughter has the same standards that you do and you'll create another generation of courteous people. Great job!

You are so right. Know you will teach your child better.
I remember when 5 year olds (Kindergarten) were taught "public" manners & social skills, the ones you use for the rest of your life, especially at work and public places. Yes, it starts with home but there is something about having school really reinforce it that makes a difference, especially since the classroom is full of different backgrounds, personalities, & thinking levels. I wish the early childhood would put that as the curriculum emphasis instead of academics. Academics will come, but what good will they do if you do not have the real world manners and graces to work with others or function outside your home? (work ethic 101)
Guess I had a bit of a rant on this too. Thank you for the thought.

Yes I agree common courtesy is not so common any longer. When I was pregnant with my oldest son ( 11 yrs ago) I was on a bus when I was pregnant and no one would give me there seat. There were plenty of men.
People don't think its a priority to respond to invitation either. I usually email my parties thru evite. It can't be any easier then that. You simply say yes or no.
Just do your best to instill manners within your children. That will have an impact on your little family.
I have two boys and one girl. I teach my kids to have basic manners. Also when you go to someone house seek out the host and say thanks for having me.

I TOTALLY agree with you. Courtesy and respect are fading fast. I teach my kids these lessons however, and are appalled at how many parents dont. Entitlement is huge these days with the younger generation, and my husband and discuss all the time how we find that balance with our kids. So that we don't deprive them, but yet let them know that things are earned. People are to be respected, as well as things, and to appreciate what they have. It's hard though when there are so many kids who are handed EVERYTHING, and their rude spoiled behavior is just accepted. It's sad, but at least we know there are SOME people who still get it! My 15 yr. old would have moved out your way on the sidewalk, and smiled politely at you. He also would hold a door for you or anyone with a handful trying to get through. That makes me proud :)

I don't think that its just people being non courteous. Although people can be rude. I think its just that people either have other things on their minds and forget the things their mothers taught them. Either that or they never really learned. Unfortunately you can't beat up people for their ignorance. This world is full of ignorant people and all you can do is pray for them and pray for yourself to have patience.

Not everybody has forgotten about helping others and being polite in our society. It sounds like you've run into a few bad apples recently. Whenever I get upset about thing like this I try to focus more on what I can do to help others so that I know I'm part of the solution.

Many good responses. Sweetmama mentioned something very key! We moved to San Antonio 16 yrs ago. People were always friendly, would let you pull out into traffic if you were in a parking lot, would let you change lanes if you suddenly found yourself in the wrong one, hold doors for women with small kids.....
There are so many people from all over the country here now. In my opinion, some (not all!) have brought their bad east coast/ west coast manners with them!! They cut you off in traffic, flip you off if you go the speed limit (heavens, how awful!), and race 3 feet to the check-out to get there ahead of you. It stinks. Many people have changed the way things used to be : friendly and helpful to others. But I am trying very hard to raise my kids to pay attention around them! Who is near you, do they need help? When teaching them to drive, I teach them to leave space near intersections, so people turning left can get across the road....

I refuse to have the rude ones win, and encourage everyone to be more mindful of others and maybe we can convert some good manners into the people who just don't seem to see or care about others. I will NOT give up!

Common courtesy is gone in the cities. We need to teach it to our children and INSIST that they be responsible, courteous, and kind at all times.
I live in a rural community where common courtesy is the norm. Everyone smiles, says hello, holds the door, waits for the other person to pass at the one lane bridges, etc. Even in the high school hallways, I hear please and thank you.
People have to remember that "It's not all about you". Entitlement should not be the norm, but unfortunately a whole generation of kids was raised to think that they could have whatever they wanted, that they were always right, and that they should always be first.
Now - it's up to us to fix it.
Raise your kids right.
Make them take Cotillion Classes - they teach manners and respect along with common courtesies.
We have one rule at our house "Don't shame your mother." They think before they act because if they do "Shame the Mother" there will be "hell to pay!" So far... so good. :-)
YMMV
LBC

Hi Christina,

It's sad to watch! I used to think my mother was sappy when she wished for a time past. Now I find myself longing for it. I was in ROSS today and a teenage girl jumped in front of me at the checkout. (It's an open area so it was easy to do) The checkout lady proceeded to ring up my merchandise while the teenager's mother proceeded to explain, angrily, that her daughter was ahead of me. Normally I just let them have their way but I flat out told her that her daughter was not there when I first got there and the lady at the check out was doing her job. PLUS, I was almost through with my transaction when she started getting upset...she had been wandering around the store.

Life is too fast. People are too rude. I think that's why I'm on this site because I seem to find people that have a genuine helpful nature and normally express things in a caring fashion. Maybe if we stick together we can raise some children that know how to be respectful!

M.

I agree with you, and my conclusion is that the world is becoming all about "me" people. Yes, it sucks, but all we can do now is teach our kids the way we want to be treated. Hopefully, our little jestures will stick with them through adulthood so they bring back the common courtesey.

Watched MTV lately? When I saw "Super Sweet 16" (which I could only stomach about 2 minutes of), it's easy to see how the entitlement generation has gotten out of control. They expect everything and melt down if they don't get it. And it has to be bigger, better and more expensive than everyone else. And the stupid parents do it!!

I have taken the time to read all of the posts and it gives me faith that there are soooo many decent people left out there! Yes, I do let people in front of me in the grocery store line. I hold the door, I get out of the way, I say please and thank you. I try to treat everyone I meet with respect. And I'm teaching my kids to do the same.

So what has this gotten me? Nothing. Like you, I'm faced daily with the rudeness of others. I refuse to let it wear me down, I'll just keep smiling and plugging away. But I would be lying if I didn't admit that it does bother me somedays. Why is it so hard to just say thank you when someone holds the door??? It's not rocket science, it's just two words.

Thanks for letting me vent. (See? That wasn't hard to say!!)

So true and yes very sad... partly parents did not teach it to their children or may have not even had common courtesy growing up in their household so those grown children now adults do not have common courtesy. It seems like the majority of the world is just looking out for themselves and doing what is best and easiest for themselves not thinking about others. Between parents, friends, society, tv shows, and reality tv most lack common courtesy so of course that is what kids are growing up with and when all these new "trends" of shows & parenting started those kids are now adults so we all see the full effect has had on them. The best we can do is be curtsey to others, teach our children to be courtesy and hopefully make a difference in their lives which in turn might make a difference in their friend's lives and who knows maybe some day things might turn around if enough people start bring back courtesy :)

I'm so glad you posted this!! It is INSANE how rude people are. Even at Vacation Bible School. Last week my boys, ages 5 and 3, held the doors as people were coming in, simply because they were right behind us. Not ONE person said thank you. Mind you, these were the 6-8 graders coming in, and a few parents. I made sure to loudly thank my boys for being so poilte and such gentlemen. They won't continue to do those kind of things if they never get any acknoweldgement for it. On the flip side, we don't do things to get a thank you, but still. It would be VERY nice if people would remember that the smallest thank you makes the biggest difference. I try to not let people both me too, because I get very annoyed by people being rude.

I agree, this is happening more and more. HOWEVER, we never know someone else's situation--you may have let the older gentleman go in front of a woman who was late to pick up her child, or maybe she felt ill, or maybe she is having trouble at home and just couldn't handle one more thing (we've all been there). Perhaps asking the woman first if you could let someone go in front of her would have been more polite?

Also, for some of you posters: it is rude to assume people from certain parts of the country or of certain religions are rude by nature--it is probably not the case. Just sayin'--politeness and rudeness come in all shapes and sizes, and we shouldn't forget that we ALL have our good and bad days. A little kindness towards these "rude" people could make the difference.

Updated

I agree, this is happening more and more. HOWEVER, we never know someone else's situation--you may have let the older gentleman go in front of a woman who was late to pick up her child, or maybe she felt ill, or maybe she is having trouble at home and just couldn't handle one more thing (we've all been there). Perhaps asking the woman first if you could let someone go in front of her would have been more polite?

Also, for some of you posters: it is rude to assume people from certain parts of the country or of certain religions are rude by nature--it is probably not the case. Just sayin'--politeness and rudeness come in all shapes and sizes, and we shouldn't forget that we ALL have our good and bad days. A little kindness towards these "rude" people could make the difference.

This is why I married my husband. After 16 years he still opens the door for me, He drops me off at the front door of anyplace we go, he warms the car up in the winter, cools it down in the summer, I order first when out to eat. He is so good with this stuff. He still says thank you for a great meal I cook. He is this way with all people. We have taught are children all these great qualities.

I total agree with you, but there are still good people out there too.
A few weeks back, I took my 3yo to the zoo. We were walking out the food court and my daughter was standing by me waiting for me to adjust things in the wagon. A lady picked up a chair to move it to another table and basically clocked my daughter right in the head and she fell down. The lady just looked at her laying there crying and said "I didn't see you there" and left. Didn't even check to see if she was ok or anything. I was appalled.

Then two days ago, I was in target and this lady and her daughter were in front of us. The obviously were shopping for college and had bins full of "stuff". The mom looked at me and my two items and let me go ahead. So sweet.

I know exactly how you feel. It feels like all has been lost. I have decided that people are so self absorbed anymore that they couldn't even fathom doing something nice. So, I try just to be the one who offers courtesy to those around me to make up for the losers.

I completely agree! Some supermarkets are worse than others. For some reason Wal-mart is always worse the Kroger, but I had a lady run into me with her cart at Kroger because she was so eager to get up to the cashier that she couldn't even give me time to load up my bags of groceries and pay for mine. People have no patience and no common courtesy, it drives me nuts! They really need to lose that sense of entitlement and realize that the world does not revolve around them!

I also want to add that I am from the East Coast originally and people are definitely ruder here than up there! I think it's a myth that people from certain areas are a certain way. It probably has to do more with the population, a certain percentage is going to be rude no matter where you go! The more people, the more rudeness!

I truly hope I'm teaching my son to be polite and courtesy but sometimes other people need a wake up call too, no need to be a doormat!

I'm with you and I try to help a person who is struggling with a door and a stroller or let someone with 2 items cut in front. I have been teaching my 3 boys to hold doors open for others, including eachother. It is so important to bring politeness back into today's society. We've become so rude in general and I firmly believe that all these reality shows that show physical fighting, screaming, and cursing has a lot to do with how people are behaving on the street.

Yes, there are tons of aweful, rude people out there. I try at those times to think of how nice others can be. I was at a party talking with a friend about how rude people are and another man joined in and said, "You wanna hear a story?" His was about a wonderful couple who paid for their dinner at a restaurant because he was military. So nice! All I do is try to be a good example to my kids and when someone is rude, I tell my kids, "Well it looks like that person must be having a bad day. We should pray for them." Not in front of the person, but soon after.

I have noticed this too, and am so saddened by it. I remember being 8 months pregnant and trying to get a large box up to check out. I was moving slow and blocking the isle as I struggled. A man came up behind me and said "excuse me" really rudely, and as I dropped the box he pushed past me to get ahead of me so he could get to the check out line first. No offer of help or anything! People today are so focused on self they have forgotten they share this world with many many others, who are all just as important as them and as deserving of kindness and respect!

I know exactly what you mean - and I feel the same way!
My husband and I were at the store one day with our son, who was in his stroller (it was an umbrella stroller, so not very big at all) - and we were trying to get out the door at the grocery store. It was a store that didn't have the automatic sliding doors - it had an actual door that you had to push open - and one of the store employees ran up as we were walking out the door - and I was trying to hold the door for my husband to push the stroller out - and the employee literally squeezed past me and JUMPED over the stroller to get past my husband and baby.
Seriously!? What if he hadn't made it and FELL on my son?! I was SOOOO mad and half tempted to go back in the store to say something, but my husband was livid and just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible...
Some people today just have NO courtesy and NO common sense!

I have to say, when they started taking God, prayer, 10 commandments, etc. out of public places, people's morals and ethics started taking a tumble down. Now that the TV and radio can spew whatever "hot topic" seems to intrique the "it's all about me" crowd, we've started RUNNING downhill. With the amount of ads trying to makes us unhappy about what we have and just wanting MORE, we'll see a horrid spiral when most folks don't care about anyone else around them - it'll only matter what's happening to ME!! It's unfortunate, but foretold in the Bible. We're getting there FAST!!!!!!

I am probably way older than you and I wonder that myself. Whatever happened to common courtesy? I work in schools and the young teachers are so rude and snotty, despite our obvious age difference. I was always taught to be polite to older people. This kind of bothers me and amazes me. Well, there I ranted.

I always let people go ahead of me if they have like 2 or 4 items.That women complaining was just being tacky, i would have been tacky right back and told her to stop complaining about a good deed!

Yeah ive noticed scruples flying out the window.....i really cant stand it when i have my grown daughter and baby with me and i get hooted at, whistled at or just strait up hit on!, thats just bad form if you ask me.

I am unequivocably in agreement with you. In fact, my 5-year-old and I were just talking about how important courtesy is yesterday in the car. With the worldwide population explosion manners and courtesy are so, so, so important since we have to share our space with so many different people. I'm very heartened to read the responses here. Living in Southern California, born and raised here, I see a difference in my 41 years of life. Adults and children alike with no manners, courtesy or respect. It's absolutely apalling. My husband and I often dream of moving to a country with a slower pace of life, friendlier and more down-to-Earth people and those that value family.

I know what you mean.

I find that a lot on the city. No so much in the country rural areas. Something about living in the middle of millions of people isolates us.
One of the discourteous things I don't get is people that wont change lanes to let someone else onto the road. If I'm pulling out from a parking lot or side street and you have 2 lanes to choose from, why not move over and make room for me?

yep! I agree people do not treat each other with respect anymore,not all but enough of them don't! I see myself telling a check out cashier a good thank you and hello when they may not even say a word. when i do something i don't even think about it,it just comes natural without saying not to brag on myself if it sounds like that.... I don't mean it to,but just saying that I truly do unto others as I would want them to do for me.

Some people are just plain ignorant. Continue to lead by example.

Children learn courtesy from watching their parents' behavior. Children whose parents never taught them courtesy nor provided an example for it raise children who don't recognize it... And those children grow up to be the adults you encountered today.

My son always says excuse me when he asks a question or needs to get past someone. Will always offer his seat on the subway to a pregnant momma, disabeled person or older person. Helps with packages etc. People always say to me Wow your son is so polite, he even gets awards in school for it. I always wonder why? Because politiness is no longer expected it's a surprise. People expect you to be rude so when some one does something that WE think is common courtesey they are surprised. What gets me nuts is I teach my son politeness and make sure he reacts properly to peoples needs or situation and not many kid his age do. He gets frustrated when he asks his friends for something and they just take, or cut a line or what have you. I refuse to let my son become part of this entitled, I can curse out my parents, generation.

I know what you mean and that is why I'm diligent in teaching and modeling courtesy and respect(if I can muster it with those with really bad attitudes!)for others. Just a couple of days ago, a man and his wife told me to go ahead of them since I was only purchasing one item. So kind of them and I was very appreciative. Lots of good people in the world. It is just that the grouchy, disrespectful ones stand out. Keep on being courteous!!

Christina,
I agree with S.. It starts with us. I make it a point to talk to everyone around. Hello, how are you? Excuse me. Would you be so kind to...? It is easier for people to be rude to a stranger. But it is a lot harder to mean to someone they know. Now there are nasty people everywhere. But there are good, decent people everywhere, too. I try really hard to remember the nice one and forget about the nasty ones.

You just continue teaching your DD how to be a good person and the world will be better for it.
K.

Honestly, I'm kind of glad to see that so many people feel the same way. I was starting to think I was just being crotchety. lol

People need to chill out and really think about what it is that they are in such a hurry FOR in the first place. Kindness costs nothing, after all. Maybe we should ALL make an extra effort to outshine the rude people for a week and see what happens.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." - attributed to several different people, among them Plato and Billie Holliday.

lol i wonder the same thing myself. i was out the other day and a teenager was walking towards me and spoke and asked how i was doing!! my mouth dropped wide open because soooo many people will look you dead in the eye and won't speak and it's seems to me that kids are the same and it took me by surprise and i couldn't believe it! i wanted to give this boy a hug and his mother hug for teaching him right.i don't really know if race or religion have any thing to do with why people are so rude nowdays. i think the media has alot to do with putting different impressions on other races and religions and sometimes we get caught up! I think we all need to judge EACH PERSON on what they do and not judge on people as a whole. We as human beings need to get our act together.

Basic courtesy and manners seem to have gone out of style. Now, everyone just wants to be first. Everyone thinks that they are the most important person in the world, the only important person. This comes from the age of cellphones, instant messaging, Facebook/Twitter - instant availability. If you can be reached every moment of the day, when you're at dinner or even in the bathroom, you must be so very important. Everyone seems to feel that everyone else must inconvience themselves so that they can be first.
Me, I don't need to be first. I'd settle for being next.

OMG, I just scanned the one saying this is the way in the city more-no way!!! When I lived in NYC, so many people held open doors, gave up seats on trains and buses, offered to help carry stuff, etc. Now we live in a rural farm, car area, and people are SO NOT helpful. I have had to struggle through countless doors with car seats and strollers while people just stare slack jawed. Three men at the car shop I took my car to today stood there staring while I hauled my car seats and stroller from our car to the loaning car in the heat wave with my infant crying. I'm just used to it. Bumpkins have no chivalry. I'm teaching my 2 1/2 you son to hold open doors for ladies, etc, but as he grows, if he sticks around here, I know he'll have no peers with any manners. The teenagers are horrible and never even move to the side in aisles etc when you're struggling to get a large cart through, I once scooted WAY over to the side holding a baby for some sorority looking girls who didn't budge from spanning the aisle, and one of them said, "EXCUSE ME" all snotty! I almost laid into her, but didnt' want my 4 year old to see me acknowledge a jerk-though I probably should have anyway...it's maddening!