When did rudeness become so acceptable?

[12ClicksMichele]

I have noticed lately that rudeness seems to be more and more prevelant EVERYWHERE. Clerks in stores, people on the phone, strangers you pass day to day, even in emails! I really dont understand why people are just so bitter these days. Is it really that hard to say thank you to someone.

2 examples:

The other day in the store I had quite a few items I was still loading on to the belt while the cashier was still handling a customer in front of me. I look behind me and there is a woman standing there with 3 items. I tell her to get in front of me being she has so little to check out and I am still unloading my cart. She nods, squeezes past me in line and thats it. Not a smile much less a thank you. I felt like snatching her up by the back of her hair and saying offer rescinded.

Same day I am in line waiting at the gas station. Its one of the lowest priced in the area so there was quite a line. I was waiting patiently for my turn and gave the guy in front of me time and space to be able to pull his vehicle out before starting to pull my car in. Of course then some jackass who just pulled into the gas station ignores everyone waiting in line and pulls right in front of me. This was after the grocery store so I was already pissy. I got out of my car and actually bitched the guy out. I am a very laid back non violent person but when his wife/girlfriend tried to get lippy with me I asked her if it was worth getting her ass beat over her man having no manners and she shut right up.

I really just dont get it. I am a pretty friendly person and usually smile and say hi to people or thank you or whatever. More and more that is met with rudeness or just ignored. I am just wondering if I am the only one that notices it, has it gotten worse or has my tolerance for people just gone to hell?

[Evil Chris]

I don't think that a week goes by where every one of us has witnesses an incident of this sort. It's pretty sad.

One thing that bothers me is when someone (or maybe a couple) is strolling around our crescent and I'm out front with my son playing ball hockey or something. Many people will actually put their heads down to avoid eye contact which might necessitate they saying "hello". What gives with this? It's especially bad when you know the person lives just around the block or something.

[Cyndalie]

We are in a recession dammit! Every man for himself!

[Magnus3x]

I would agree, rudeness is common place, just look at our roads.
I think technology has something to do with it.

[oceania]

i guess it is everywhere
but sometimes you see generosity of spirit too

the other day a young couple with a crying baby were in the store after 2am getting formula and diapers.they were short a few dollars. i started to open my wallet and cover it when the store manager came over and said - it's okay and put all their things in a bag and didnt charge them

[Panky]

I intentionally go grocery shopping at odd hours and during the week because God help you if you go on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. I made the mistake of doing that once before. I'm very patient and tolerant, but all be damned, a half hour in the store and I wanted to just go postal. People blocking isles, kids running wild, people pushing carts into you, and then the check-out lines are always fun.

It was like I went to the Post Office the other day. This woman was leaving and behind her was this woman with a stroller that had a sleeping baby in it and kid that was like 3 or 4 years old. The woman leaving never bothered to hold the door for this other woman with the little ones. Then, this guy starts wanting to come in while the door slammed in the woman's face with the kids. Do you think he could hold the door for her? Hell no. He just stood outside talking on his cell. So, I just walked over and told her I'll get the doors for her. She was like so appreciative and you could see the look of relief. I just felt bad for her since she had her hands full with the kids.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Magnus3x

I would agree, rudeness is common place, just look at our roads.
I think technology has something to do with it.

Yes, let's look at our roads, shall we? Nothing a half cup of coffee can't fix!

[RD_Shane]

I agree that rudeness abounds lately. I've gone overboard a few times. Not to long ago I had just walked into the grocery store and was getting ready to grab a cart when this woman swoops in and grabs the cart out of my hands and starts walking off with it. I snapped walked over to her and took the cart back from her. She started yelling at me for being rude. I just looked at her and asked if she was aware that she pulled it out of my hands. She just rolled her eyes at me and made some under her breath comment I couldn't quite catch, stomped over grabbed another cart. I'm sure I could have handled the situation a bit better but I was just so tired of rude people thinking they own the world.

[Kristine]

I don't think all people are like that. The people in the city that I live in are very polite in traffic or on streets/shops, but there are a lot of the kind that you described. The sad thing is that old people are the rude/impolite ones.