Is it just me or are people getting ruder?

[PastorMikH]

Normally, I try to be respectful of others, but I am noticing that more and more people just seem to take advantage of that type of attitude. A coupld of examples....

Today the wife and I took a drive to the City and had lunch at Golden Corral. The Buffet line was a bit busy, so I’m standing in line patiently behind a guy, waiting to get to the toasted buns and BBQ Pork. There are people lined up behind me as well. As the guy finishes, another guy pushes right in front of me and starts helping himself to the stuff I‘m waiting on. I just kinda stood there in shock for a second, not believing this guy just did that. Did a mention the guy was about a foot shorter than me? Anyhow, I get the BBQ pork on a bun, and get ready to go over to get the cheddar cheese off the potato bar to top off my sandwich. There’s the guy, he’d butted in line again and is heading towards the cheese. I stood back, waited for the person immediately in front of the cheese to leave. The guy makes his move and I step in with my back to him and my elbow right about his nose level and helped myself.

Sunday night after church, we all head to the local Mazzio’s Pizza place, as is our custom. We get there and there are two tables available that we can slide together. Me and another lady from our church are standing there figuring out where to set the kids because the two tables won’t be enough for everyone. While we are standing there AT THE TABLES deciding, another large church group comes over and TAKES ONE OF OUR TWO TABLES and joins it to the other 15 tables they have strung together. Then, makes another trip back to take the chairs.

Don't even get me started on people while shopping.

Has this type of behavior always been present and I’m just noticing more as I get older, or is this type of rudeness on the rise? Also, at what level should a person respond who wishes to still be respected by the local community?

[Rain Man]

Another potential theory is that the environment is changing, and situations that promote rudeness are now more common. So rudeness isn't changing on a micro-level, but it's increasing on a macro-level due to the environmental changes.

For example, if people are naturally more rude at dessert bars in buffets, and those are becoming more common, while areas of politeness such as the condiment counter at Taco Bell are becoming less common due to immigrant walkouts, then it will create an illusion of a ruder society even though society is not changing its etiquette over time.

A key to proving or disproving this theory is to identify places where rudeness is common behavior and politeness is common behavior, and determine if they're becoming more or less pervasive in society.

Here are a few of my personal rudeness/politeness venues, and how they're changing.

Rain Man's Rude Places

1. Stores where I have to shop for large-size pants because I can no longer fit into size 34s - Becoming much more common

2. Stores that serve $3 coffee where my wife wastes money that could otherwise be spent on Chinese food - Becoming more common

3. Work environments where I have more employees than bosses - Becoming more common.

Rain Man's Polite Places

1. Chiefs Playoff Games - Becoming less common

2. Places Where Attractive Naked Women Dance - Became much less common when I got married

3. Places that Serve Really Good BBQ - Less common in Denver than when I lived in Missouri

So far, my theory is looking good.

[Clint in Wichita]

People are not less courteous. They are more reeruned.

[Wichita Lineman]

Less courteous, less respectful,just read some of these comments on this thread and I'll bet you that the rude ones are from 20 something and down. Bet a farm in Texas on it and you'll be a rich man.

[kcfan88]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

In regards to this thread, the correct grammatical statement would be "Is it just me, or are people becomng more rude?"


Beat me to it!















Okay, that was rude.