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I don't mean to pick on younger generations, but people born into the computer age rarely know to even question this modern self-involved, rushed culture. For them 20 extra minutes is time meant to be killed looking into the i-phone.
With these devices, there is no necessary free time anymore, so even little delays irritate us. Imagine punishing a kid by taking away their e-devices for a couple days... they will be irritated like an addict going cold turkey. I certainly don't think this is good for society.
Modern conveniences can really soften people up (in the mind, body and soul).
When you say "computer generation" can you define that in terms of age. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft is 56y/o, he's apart of the computer generation. Isn't he?
Car you be clear on age? Mainly because I see people in their 50's displaying the same sentiment I've discussed in my op.
Just because I mentioned Bill Gates, I don't want to get off topic. I was using him as an example because of his age and his "fame". Not because of his wealth.
We live in a generally rude society. Wasn't like that years ago. People don't say thanks and please too much anymore. People don't extend simple kindnesses too much. It's really a part of our times. Maybe the economy, technology, whatever. I don't know. When you read about different cities, people almost everywhere seem to say the same thing!
I notice this a lot too: I'll say "thank you" to someone and instead of them saying "you're welcome" they'll say: "yup", "sure" or "uh-huh",etc... When my mom, to this day says "thank you" to me, the only response that is accepted is YOU'RE WELCOME. Not "yup" "sure" or "uh-huh".
I'm have a major pet peeve for common courtesy. Mainly because if I didn't display any as a kid, I was for sure going to be in trouble. The odd part is, I find myself holding back now, because everyone around is so hardened and if you smile at people out of kindness they'll roll their eyes and come across very "short and abrupt" with you. It's a catch 22.
Maybe, but the real answer is probably confirmation bias. Just think of the number of interactions you may have with strangers in an average day and what percentage of those actually involve self-absorbed, irritated people. Of course you will remember the guy who didn't say "Thank you" when you held the door for him or the lady who stepped on your foot and didn't apologize. But chances are you had 100 other interactions where people were generally normal, nice, and maybe even courteous. Those probably don't stick out so much.
So are the number of angry interactions increasing? I certainly don't discount that. Clearly many people feel that way. But I feel that for the most part people are still pretty respectful and nice.
Now people on the internet are an entirely different category...
I was roughly pushed out of the way with a 'get out of the way' on an escalator in Sydney, which seems to have a lot of rude, impatient people, so it's not only an American phenomenon. People seem to be busier, more stressed, more impatient and more irritable than ever. They're constantly moaning and biatching about the crap that happens in their lives and about how terrible other people are, without looking in the mirror. As others have said, the instant gratification society ain't helping. We're 'connected' to more people online etc but it seems this leaves less room for GENUINE connection.
I don't it rude at all to be honest with you. We wait for trains, trains don't wait for people.
She saw the train coming, just as I did. She still would not move forward or even after I continued to say excuse me, she looked at me, and tried to make me wait.
Todays American populace lives in social anonymity, small towns are still pretty polite places when compared to the likes of Chicago or L.A. Me-ism is an outgrowth of this situation wherein most of us in traffic, stores, movie houses, or any public place are complete strangers. Rudeness abounds because there is no consequences for the horn honking, finger waving, tailgating, impatient people we have to live with. Population growth aside, the worst factor regarding our lack of civility is our isolation from each other. Traveling through the midwest this summer I couldn't help but notice the friendliness of most people I saw driving in the small towns, lots of waves from strangers, they didn't know me but probably didn't want to take a chance that they may have just forgotten my name, LOL. In most peoples lives there is way too much hurrying, time is wasted in the long commutes most folks endure, families are now built around the kids sporting activities and other indulgences that cause the parents a lot of grief. Large populations and time constraints cause rudeness period...
Todays American populace lives in social anonymity, small towns are still pretty polite places when compared to the likes of Chicago or L.A. Me-ism is an outgrowth of this situation wherein most of us in traffic, stores, movie houses, or any public place are complete strangers. Rudeness abounds because there is no consequences for the horn honking, finger waving, tailgating, impatient people we have to live with. Population growth aside, the worst factor regarding our lack of civility is our isolation from each other. Traveling through the midwest this summer I couldn't help but notice the friendliness of most people I saw driving in the small towns, lots of waves from strangers, they didn't know me but probably didn't want to take a chance that they may have just forgotten my name, LOL. In most peoples lives there is way too much hurrying, time is wasted in the long commutes most folks endure, families are now built around the kids sporting activities and other indulgences that cause the parents a lot of grief. Large populations and time constraints cause rudeness period...
I find it interesting that people are more interested in people that they have no interaction with whatsoever (celebrities) than people that they encounter on a daily basis.
Todays American populace lives in social anonymity, small towns are still pretty polite places when compared to the likes of Chicago or L.A. Me-ism is an outgrowth of this situation wherein most of us in traffic, stores, movie houses, or any public place are complete strangers. Rudeness abounds because there is no consequences for the horn honking, finger waving, tailgating, impatient people we have to live with. Population growth aside, the worst factor regarding our lack of civility is our isolation from each other. Traveling through the midwest this summer I couldn't help but notice the friendliness of most people I saw driving in the small towns, lots of waves from strangers, they didn't know me but probably didn't want to take a chance that they may have just forgotten my name, LOL. In most peoples lives there is way too much hurrying, time is wasted in the long commutes most folks endure, families are now built around the kids sporting activities and other indulgences that cause the parents a lot of grief. Large populations and time constraints cause rudeness period...
Excellent point.
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