Where has politeness gone?

[Nancy]

I was brought up in the 50's and 60's.    I was brought up to respect others regardless of who or what they were.  I was taught this at home, at church, and in the community. 

What happened to that teaching?

Nancy

[emsplace]

I blog about this all the time...
the neighbor who thinks I have too many rules because I insist on "yes ma'ams", etc...
it's crazy.
I think it comes from a general lack of pride in lots of areas in our world. I won't be more specific here because I don't want to offend. But I think if you don't respect yourself, you don't demand respect...
It's a very sad state of affairs... eh?

[Willow]

I don't know where it went but I sure know I miss it!  Please, thank you, etc., they make the world a much more pleasant place.

[Nancy]

Politeness has gone out the window, along with parental supervision.

Let me tell you what brought this rant on.  Yesterday my son who is 30 years old took me to my favorite lunch spot...Taco Bell.  When we got there there was an elderly couple trying to get into the restaurant.  My son being the gentlemen that he was brought up to be, was holding the door for them to proceed us.  Along comes a mother with her two small children, she is in her 30's the kids maybe 6-7, pushed her way past the couple and into the restaurant.  No excuse me, no thank you, nothing...

The elderly couple one of whom was in a walker, almost fell over.  My son and I reached out to steady them.  Once in the restaurant, my son was standing in line behind the young mother, and apparently said something about the incident.  I was helping the couple find a table, so I didn't hear what was said.  But I will say that if looks could kill, my son would be 6 feet under.

So I am sitting there watching, the family elects a table directly behind my son and I, no sooner did they sit down, then I had food thrown at me, and the youngest was hitting me in the head with something.  Not hard mind you, but annoying.  The mother never said a word.  We got up and moved to another table.

So all I am saying is if the parents are not courteous, how can we expect our children to be.  How do you teach a child manners if you have none?  I know this is hopefully an isolated incident, but it happens all too often.

Nancy

[emsplace]

OMG that is horrible. It is unfortunately SOOOOOOOOO typical though.
I am an older mom, I had my son at 40.
She's just lucky ya'll didn't ball her out. I would have have said "do you mind having your children stop hitting me"
or words to that affect.

I am so upset by the lack of manners in children and younger moms... NOT ALL MIND YOU! I'm not talking about all. But it is a lot.... and it is very sad.

em

[Cheese&Whine]

Glad to hear that I am not the only one that has noticed this! 
I thought it was just an Arizona thing.  I don't remember people being SO RUDE (especially the kids!) when I lived in PA, but apparently it is everywhere.  Maybe I have just started to notice as I get older and have my own child.
Ugh...It makes me nuts!

[Nancy]

Maybe it was only taught in PA, as that is where I am originally from.

Nancy

[michellesamom]

I have met an equal number of polite and rude people both young and old... I don't believe that age has anything to do with it. I completely agree with you and I can't believe how rude those people were!