Surely a lot of the run-ins, confrontations and issues we have in society are due to the fact that good manners that lubricate those situations are in short supply.
I am not for nanny state policies, but I think people are, well, pretty degenerate in this area, and think governments, mainly state, should step in to educate on posters about moving across on train seats, driving ettiquette, and just the benefits of living in a world of manners and common courtesy. Perhaps just a poster here and there to remind people, of people!
I'm not 63, I'm 36.... and as the older generation slips into the beyond, its a bit sad that the manners that defined "Gentlemen" and "Ladies" of their time, we are now left with self entitled "what about me's".......
Discuss.
Driving manners in Melbourne are worst I have every seen in any so called civilised world. Having done a fairly reasonable amount of travel around the world I'm shocked at just how bad it is.
I am always suprised at how bad some of my daughter's friends manners are. My eldest is 8 and has always said please, thankyou, may I leave the table ect as it is the norm in our house and is praised.
Very few of them say please or thankyou. It's not that they don't come from affluent, successful families - it's just that there doesn't seem to be the importance placed on manners by families as there used to be.
I am a firm believer in good manners. I think it makes kids proud that they have manners as a reflex and love to see other parents / teachers compliment them on it.
This is how my parents taught me and is probably why I can give way, merge and drive to work without screaming at people out my window.
I hold doors open and let people through first and nothing not a bloody word, my partner and I say out loud thank you your welcome for them!
It doesn't really bother but my kids and friends all use first names for friends parents. No more Mr or Mrs. Shame it has slipped away probably never to come back. Same with total disrespect for coppers. Anyway that's how it all starts me reckons.
As much as we whinge about the young ones, I find a lot of the time it is the older people.
Simple stuff like we are all lining up and the 50 - 70 y/o's just cut in.
Or you are getting advice from the person behind the counter and they jump in with "qucik question, how do I....?" Yeah mate mine is quick too but I took a bloody number and waited 20mins.
Naturally nobody has the guts to tell them off cos they are old. Maybe that's why they do it?
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
- Robert Heinlein
(no, i do not advocate shooting old people who queue jump at Woolies)
