What is WRONG with people?

[KansDem]

This morning on the way to work I stopped off at a store to pay a utility bill (the store accepts gas, electric, and phone payments). The store has set up a “velvet rope” (like in movie houses) to direct each customer in line to the next available clerk. Anyway, when called, I approached the clerk and began my transaction. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a man with a shopping cart entering the lane created by the velvet rope and the long cashier's counter, and I thought, “Hmmm, not much room to push a cart through here…” Well, the next thing I realize is a pronounced rubbing of the cart alongside the backs of my legs and butt, prompting me to stagger forward. I turn to the man and said (sarcastically), “Oh, excuuuse me. I didn’t realize I was in the way!” He mumbled something and continued on. What ever happened to “Excuse me,” or “Pardon, may I push my cart through,” or “Say, I thought I could push this through here, but I misjudged the space. You don’t mind if I could inconvenience you for a second…?” But this guy SAID NOTHING! Nothing before, during, and very little after he rammed his cart into and by me. He looked to be about 60, so this wasn’t a case of “youthful indiscretion.”

Then, on the way to work I had time to stop for a little breakfast. I went to a favorite restaurant and, after ordering my food, I went to the mane’s room. Inside, there was one stall that was occupied and a man standing outside reading a newspaper. I assumed he was waiting for the stall, and went about my business. But then the man started making comments like, “C’mon, hurry up…wipe your butt and let’s get out of here.” “I don’t want to stay in here the rest of my life…!” (actual words). He kept on berating the person inside the stall, even though I was standing only a few feet away. It turns out the person inside the stall was a young boy (about 8-10 years old) who appeared to be slightly mentally handicapped. He also had trouble walking. I saw the two of them walk through the restaurant after I had returned to my table. I felt pity for the boy.

What ever happened to manners and consideration? And respect? Between the rude, inconsiderate man with the shopping cart, and this poor excuse for a father (I assumed the boy was his son), our society is indeed suffering from immeasurable ills that threaten the very essence of civility in this country.

[unsavedtrash]

1. wanted: bumper sticker that reads "surprise someone, use your turn signal"

also would love to see a return of manners.

[MisterP]

22. by Jove, that's brilliant!

[mike_c]

2. I hear you-- a pet peeve of mine is casual public profanity....

The other day I was walking behind a group of students at the university were I work and overheard a (loud) conversation that went something like:

"Fuck! That was the coolest fucking show that I've ever fucking seen"

"Fuck yeah!"

"Did you fucking see when the motherfucker jumped onto that big fucking ball and fucking walked it up the fucking stairs?"

"That was fucking amazing"

"That shit blew my fucking mind"

And so on-- not one sentence without loud, casual profanity. This really bothers me-- not because it offends me, but because it's such a cheap form of expression.

[Nordmadr]

3. Didn't you just perpetuate casual public profanity in

your fucking post?

;-)

Olaf

Edited for spelling and to clarify that I am just poking a little fun at what appears to be some mild hypocrisy. If you are against the use of casual public profanity, couldn't you find a way to make your point without using the full unedited description? Nah...fuck that.

[mike_c]

6. fuckin aye...

But it made the point. :hi:

[KansDem]

4. I've seen/heard this too. Particularly with cell-phone conservations...

A couple of years ago I went into a bank to cash a check. It was mid-morning and there were only two people in there at that time: myself and one other person.

The other guy was talking on a cell phone while conducting business with the teller (this is bad enough), but the fellow got a little hot under the collar with the person he was talking to and exclaimed, "Yeah! Well if that's the way he feels, fuck him!" Needless to say, it resonated throughout the empty bank.

Bad enough not to give someone who's helping you your full attention, but then to yell out obscenities at some invisible adversary to be heard by "innocent bystanders" is extremely déclassé. And this man was wearing a three-piece suit, which illustrates that class doesn't come from a wallet.

[Protagoras]

8. How about the casual cell phone calls in the TOILET?

I walk into a public restroom and there among the various sounds and smells some idiot is sharing their conversation with the toilet world...

And I won't even start on Movie theaters...

[SoCalDem]

20. People on cell phones are like people who pick their noses in cars

They think that the phone and the car gives them "temporary invisibility", and they retreat into their little bubble..

[Javaman]

17. Overheard on a movie set about 15 years ago...

Still cracks me up, doesn't make it right, but it still makes me laugh...

Fuck! Those fucking Fuckers! Fuck them!

[OrlandoGator]

5. Manners and respect are for limp-wristed liberal faggots.

That's all. Be a man.

[Skittles]

7. I see examples of rudeness all the time

at the post office a woman on her cell phone talking personal business a oouple feet from me as I filled out custom forms. She was SO LOUD.

People in movie theaters who arrive late, can't adjust their eyes to the dark so they wander around blocking the movie.

They the talk with each other about the movie amongst themseves AND while answering cell calls...........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[LibDemAlways]

10. I've even seen a lot of it lately in church.

Between services people standing in the aisles talking, telling jokes, laughing, kids running up and down. At one time people reserved that kind of behavior for outside. Not anymore.

[LibDemAlways]

9. What is wrong with people?

A widespread disease called "lack of situational awareness" compounded by an "I don't give a damn about anybody else" attitude. People are so caught up in their narrow little world - and by that I literally mean the space they occupy at any given moment - that they are completely unaware of those around them and how their words/actions might be impacting others. Or, if they are aware, they simply don't care.

Cell phone use in public places. Barreling through parking lots at dangerous speeds. Being loud and obnoxious in inappropriate settings.

All manifestations of a lack of civility and common courtesy that our society not only seems to tolerate but has come to expect.

[GreenArrow]

27. that's it

Plain and simple.

[DivinBreuvage]

11. My personal pet peeve... people who don't thank you for holding the door

they just walk through it like royalty, without a glance of acknowledgement or anything. I'm afraid I've picked up the habit of saying "don't mention it!" when they do this.

[lse7581011]

12. I Always Say

You're very welcome! Usually makes them stare at the very least!

[Fuzz]

13. There is a particular rude driver at my kids' school

who drives a huge SUV. She stops & gets out of the car in the middle of the parking lot while nearly everyone else (there are others) gets a parking spot, so others have to go around or are stuck behind her, she cuts around people waiting in line to drop off their kids invariably blocking others in, has honked at others, etc.

Two bumber stickers on her car. Take a guess before you read on.

Bush/Cheney 2004 and My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter.

Sigh.

[progressivebydesign]

16. That school parking lot thing drives me nuts!!

My stepdaughter goes to middle school. I have to maneuver around all the SUVs and luxury cars (most sporting Christian stickers, ironic huh?). They pull in and wait in the way for the precious children to come out of whatever activity we're picking up for. Far be it for them to 1) park their damn car and have their kid look for them 2) park the car and GET OUT to fetch their child 3) not block all the driveways.

I always park in a parking spot and walk up to the school to fetch my stepdaughter. She is not ashamed of me, so I don't have to deal with her being upset that her friends saw me. And I teach her that it's rude to sit idling in your car waiting for your kid, and it wastes gas and causes pollution.

I even notice parents who sit in the driveway, parked, while sports games are going on.. waiting for their kid. Far be it from them to actually WATCH the game or practice. Better to talk on the cell phone or read and wait for your kid.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

14. It's the me, me, me syndrome. People only care about themselves.

and The Republican Party represents these people perfectly. That's why they are so popular with the large groups of assholes in this country.

[progressivebydesign]

15. People are more self-centered now.. but I try to counter it.

I have seen that phenom daily. The ads, the entertainment, and the media, don't foster a sense of concern for others. Many Americans have lost their way as community members, and parts of the whole world. People are losing their willingness and ability to interact with strangers.

I do notice and reward the good behaviors, by being thankful for those that are polite. I make sure I smile and wave at whomever stops to let me walk across a parking lot, lets me in traffic (I open my window and wave even if I'm on the freeway), etc. In my daily drives around town I use my turn signal, and in stores and biz places I"m uber polite and pleasant. I think that perhaps I am modeling polite behavior for others.. and perhaps when I let someone in traffic, the beneficiary will later let someone else in.

All we can do is be the best people we can be, and teach our kids to do the same, so that concern for strangers and polite behavior is not a thing of the past.

My husband finds it sweet that when I have to call any type of business, I end up laughing and joking with the person on the phone, I usually know what pets they have, why they are working in that job, and what the weather is like wherever they are. (unless I call a company that has outsourced to India... they have ZERO sense of humor and cannot converse with American casualness).

[Javaman]

18. I was in an airport several years ago...

Since my sister worked for the airlines at the time, I was able to get various free passes. It was great. However, because these passes were free, in a way, I was representing my sister. And dare be it for me to ever embarrass myself let alone her.

On this particular outing, when given a free pass, sometimes I would get bumped in favor of a paying passenger, no problem, just part of the deal, so I would make sure I had plenty of extra time and that the trip wasn't a pressing sort of thing, anyway, I was trying to get from Austin to Baltimore, and as it happened, there was a delay in Nashville, thunderstorm, as a result all flights were canceled.

I just took it in stride, but the guy near me, also, as I found out later, had a free pass, (his wife was a pilot), started complaining.
Stating he had a right to the seat, had to get to where ever he was going, just went on and on. Nothing but a big whiner. So as it happened a flight did open up at the last minute, it wasn't to my destination, but I could take a linking flight from the new local.
So while this guy was bitching up a storm, I quietly and politely walked over to the counter and asked, if any seats open up please consider me and since my sister works for the airlines, I would gladly help the crew straighten up the cabin during preflight.

Well, don't you know it, a seat is available, and I got picked. Flight attendants have a thankless job and like any help they can get. My offer of kindness and my being polite won me the extra seat.
After I got on the plane, I found out that the complaining guy, lost all of his flight privileges.

Sometimes good people get good things. :)

[seabeyond]

19. how many NICE people do you run into in a day

you ran into one rude man. the by far majority of people i meet in the public are lovely. kind. nice. respectful. this is one man\

are you sure you want your whole world to be this one rude man, or the world of nice people you interact with on a daily basis

[KansDem]

24. Sure, there are many nice people I encounter each day...

it just seems like there are more rude, inconsiderate people then there once was. And that number seems to be growing.

It seems like common courtesy is so uncommon, that any act of "common courtesy" is noticed more.

For example:
Last year my family and I went out to eat at a Chinese buffet. Once seated, we all got up to get our food. I and my two children(daughter 12, son 6) got back to our table before my wife/their mother did. So I said, "Let's wait until mommy gets back before we start eating." No big thing: we do it all the time, and this was more of a reminder than a request. But, soon after we were all seated and eating, a couple sitting nearby, who had finished their meal, was leaving when the man stopped by our table and complemented us on waiting to eat until all were served. I was taken aback by this but realized he too valued this "common courtesy" and in a "grab your food and stuff it in your face" world, what we did was perhaps uncommon.

[Gruenemann]

21. Jesus is coming soon,

so we don't have to care about anything or anybody else.

[GreenArrow]

28. that would seem to be a reason to care

at least, if one believes.

[Gruenemann]

29. I've had the 'saved' tell me

it didn't matter what they did because they were saved and Jesus was coming and they were already assured their place in heaven, so screw everyone else.

I know it's wrong, you know it's wrong, but that's the way the Fristians think.

[Gloria]

23. This is Bushland, where the lack of manners is excused by

the pious with bumperstickers on their cars reading "I've been forgiven"

[GreenArrow]

25. as per Emily Post:

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."

One problem would seem to be that people are desensitized to the feelings of others. We've been taught to "look out for number one", that we are a "nation of rugged indivdualists", and that to demonstrate any sort of deep feeling or sensitivity is to demonstrate weakness. As a nation we tend to be self-directed, self absorbed, and selfish, and generally unaware and resentful of anyone or anything that threatens that worldview. God Bless America (and to Hell with everyone else).

[BiggJawn]

26. We were watching The Toob last night...

That movie with Han Solo in it? "The Witness", I think?

Anyway, My ESSO commented to me during the barn raising scene "Do you think that non-Amish people ever had that same sense of community towards their neighbours?"

"Not in our lifetimes, and definitely not since Reagan told everyone that Greed is Good..."

Hah! isn't that ironic. The Cynical Hermit musing about mean people....

[Lerkfish]

30. my pet peeve is people watching you run for the elevator and do nothing

to stop the door. I"ve made it as close as one foot away, and I've even had people hit the button to CLOSE the door so I can't get on.
It's not just me, btw, there were other people behind me running for the elevator on a few occasions.

I admit one time I lost it when that happened and yelled at the elevator " YOU BITCH!" thinking I was alone in the parking garage. But just then behind me I heard a laugh and this woman said, "yeah, I saw that. She was rather cold."