Why are people so lazy?

Question

It seems like no one can put the trash in the trashcan even it it right near them, gotta throw it on the ground, they leave their drink cups on store counters, leave their empty shopping cart in the check out line and walk away, don't flush the toilet, etc. It just seems people won't take the time to do simple things. They expect someone else to do it.

Answer 1

I am a 61-year-old woman who has studied the evolutions of human behavior for a number of years now, through both observations and introspection. You're question is a good one--more complicated than would seem to those who tend towards shallow thinking. Motivation is the first thing that comes to mind--by and large, there is a disconnect that is presently widespread among many of our citizens, be they adult or child. I remember a time where an attitude of "If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well" reigned supreme, but there has been an erosion of this attitude for some reason. I liken it to a waitress/waiter who does the bare minimum of service, but then shows up at tip time to show whatever small interest can be summoned in order to get a bigger tip (an analogy). More and more men are what we call the "go getums"--their mates or life partners do all or most of the work, earn or have the most resources and/or money, and on payday, the do-nothing, lay-about, make excuses partners "go getum", usually with some sort of destabilizing offering (i.e., booze) and plans for how to have fun spending the hardworker's money and/or resources. Sound familiar? Kids want no consequences for their actions, a large number of grown-ups either refuse or don't know how to take responsibility for their actions (or inactions, as the case may be). I think what you really want to know is: How do we fix this growing and pervasive mass laziness? How do we motivate the unmotivated and instill in them a sense of how their behaviors (or lack thereof) effect others? My suggestion would be to hold your ground and continue to set a good example, make your feelings known in whatever gentle and reasonable way is available so the wrong-doer(s) have an opportunity to learn and change, and then just bless and release. What do you think? I taught my daughter in poetry form: "Let it go and let it be/It's something in them and not in me/It's not my responsibility/to change them. " In other words, don't stress out over others' failings; just give yourself an internal hug and blessing for being willing and able to go the extra mile in order to make your surroundings, your community, and even the world a better place. Hope I helped.

Answer 2

As technology progresses, the human race regresses.
We spoiled Americans have gotton used to having all manual labor done for us.... from calcultors to do our figuring, dishwashers to do our dishes, furnices and heat pumps to warm our homes, remote controls so we don't have to get up and turn the channel, phones and computers to keep us from having to actually write a letter to someone, online banking so we can do everything from our homes. The list goes on and on. The point is.... we have become a lazy society. Each subsequent generation gets lazier and lazier. We are having a pool put in now. The crew will watch one guy shovel as they look on ... they take breaks every few minutes to share a joke or stare into the hole. These are young guys in their early 20's. My almost 50 year old husband can work circles around all five of them. He says they just don't have good work ethics. What use to be an 8 hour day, meant you WORKED 8 hours. Now it means you do as little as possible during the 8 hours, but get paid for your TIME. As far as those little things you mentioned.... it's that same mentality.... they just expect someone else will make the effort. As technology progresses, the human race regresses. By the way, the pool is still not completed.... we're on our 5th week!

Answer 3

I guess they don't want trouble them selves with simple courtesies. But what you're talking about is more thoughtlessness than laziness, sheer disregard for the impact of their behavior or others, or, more likely, defiance of normal codes of courtesy in order to appear "cool". But when people are really lazy-- conspicuously inactive-- it might be because of lack of clear goals and strong motivation to achieve things, perhaps out of discouragement and low self-image, or perhaps out of an even deeper apathy rooted in a deep, despairing conviction that they are trapped and effort is hopeless. Often people are lazy because they feel that the work they are expected to do is imposed by other people and has nothing to do with what they want to do. Physical inactivity does not necessarily mean that the mind is not at work, but, with many people lying around not doing anything, the mind is at work wandering over the landscape of past injuries, slights and failures, fantasizing about what the person should have said or done. Failure to clean house, day after day, could be a sign of chronic depression or some similar problem. Remedies: if you are not in authority over them, suggest a counselor. If you are in authority over them, calmly present the problem as you see it, administer clear instructions for correcting it, and, in the event of continued laxness, appropriate action, perhaps dismissal if it is an employee exhibiting poor work habits..

Answer 4

People are lazy because they don't have to do as much. Since they don't have to do other simple things like get up to change the channel on the TV, manually roll down the windows in the cars, and other simple things like that, people just assume that they don't have to do anything simple and it will all be done for them-heck, the stuff you mention will probably be taken care of for people in the future, they're probably just getting ahead of what's to come

Answer 5

Upbringing! to find people who are inconsiderate is to find their parents who were too tired after coming home from work to sacrifice love and attention to them, or the teenage mom who didn't receive all of her values to give to her young child. When things lack from the parenting, the child will definitely lack its values. Everyone has attitude these days - go figure!

Answer 6

Well Miss Fed Up >LOL
I would say that you need to hold people accountable.
If you see it then say something. Its those that say nothing complain the most......
Its the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!

LOL its not laziness it because people don't want to say anything on the accountability area.....

Answer 7

You're right, they do expect someone else to do it. It's ashame really, because if no one else does it, they are littering and messing up the environment that they are also going to be living in.

Answer 8

They expect someone else to do it, because someone else will do it. People do it because they can. Not everyone was taught courtesy, responsibility and respect for others.

Answer 9

I blame the parents for not teaching their children to be courteous.

Answer 10

Because they have been allowed to get by with it.