Question for older people: Were people as rude in past generations as they are now?

Answer 1

I'm only 45, but to be honest with you I live in a small town in WV where even the people that don't go to church or claim to be a christian still treat each other nicely and have more respect for christianity than most of the people on this site do put together. I guess I am naive, but I truly never realised how much hatred there was in the world until I started answering questions here. I came here to share experiences and try to be a light to someone or to help someone in some way if I could, but sometimes I just shut everything down and pray for all you guys out there. I don't think it was this bad 20 years ago, but like I said, I am from a small town. I am not saying we are perfect by no means, we have our share of problems just like the rest of the world. Have a nice day. God Bless You.

PS. I do not mean for this answer to insult or hurt any of the wonderful people out there that are trying to do the same thing I am. Because I still would wade through all the rudeness to see some of your wonderful answers and to try and answer some of your sincere questions. God Bless Each of You.

Answer 2

At 43 I don’t consider myself to be that old... lol!!

But even I can see that there has been a dramatic increase over the last 20-25 years (& not just here in the UK): in rudeness: ignorance: intolerance: disrespect (especially with regards to those in authority: such as, ‘Parents’ or ‘Police/the law’): aggression: and violence: etc. etc. etc!!

Especially this increase is shown, but not inclusively: amongst young people between 10-21 years old: and in many cases… younger!!

I have worked many years within the ‘Security Industry’: & cannot but help notice, that moral & ethical standards etc: are seriously on the decline!! There is no respect for authority of ‘Any’ kind any more: and the ‘Liberal’ approach to ‘Parenting/Discipline/Punishment’: along with ‘Political Intrusion’, etc: make it near, or next to impossible: to control the youth of today.

i.e. I have had a 14-year-old boy stand in front of me after being caught red-handed committing criminal damage… ‘F’ing & blinding: telling me I can’t touch him because… & he quoted word for word: the ‘Child Protection Act’!! … I just read him his rights!! He laughed!! The Police let him go with a ‘Caution’: saying ‘There was little else they could do’!!

The worlds gone crazy … & the laws an Asss!!

Answer 3

Im not old, not even close since Im only 16.

But Im not rude to people. Usually Im nice and will let old people have my seat. Standing up wont kill me. Most of my friends are polite and generally arent the "***** better back the **** up away from me" type of people. But some of them talk back to their parents, sort of like you would talk to your worst enemy. Lots of f-bombs and "ugh...whatever"s.

Growing up, my dad taught me some simple things through discipline. 1) You cant always have it your way. 2) Dont do things that you know are stupid. 2b) Especially when they involve other people. 3) Do you see a point in yelling and bitching at someone? Can you get the point across without being an asshole? Then dont. 4) Dont take **** from anyone, but know when you are wrong.

He used the most basic strategy: whoopings when you do something stupid. Rewards when you do something right. Eventually, for me it was 11, you stop doing over-the-top stupid things. Parental guidance should only stay so long, eventually your kid needs to know what to do on their own without a threat looming over them.

So, Im not the type of teen you see running around with a grudge. Nobody is trying to 'oppress' me, mostly people are just trying to go about on their daily business. If adults treat you like a kid, its because you ARE a kid to them, and if you want them to not treat you like a kid the best course of action is to *not offend the **** out of them*. I realized that when an 8 year old was yelling at me, and I was just thinking in my mind how hilarious it was. What could he possibly tell me? Youre barely half my age, but you act as if your about to drop a bomb of wisdom on me.

Answer 4

I think people are less rude than they used to be because of political correctness. Then they get on the internet and unload what they are really feeling. People didn't used to get offended by every little comment. There used to be a saying that was taught to every kid. I don't know if it still is or not. It went "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me" .

Answer 5

There is an old saying, "children should be seen and not heard." People use to raise their children by that adage but not so much anymore. Perhaps that makes for rudeness. But then is it so good to repress people. I think that no generation has had the ideal answers with raising children, but the world is working on it.

Answer 6

I'm not exactly "older" but I'm old enough to say 10 years ago I was an adult already. I notice the change in the business communication style. It was more polite 10 years ago. I'm not imagining things - I can dig up old e-mails. They used to start with Hello ..., or Dear... Now days people don't bother with hello or any saluations they just say "Snowflake: .... the time of your appointment blah blah blah" How rude. Where did my Hello go?

Answer 7

I'm 46 does that qualify as older? I have only noticed an increase in rudeness in about the last 15 years.

Answer 8

I don't think this generation understands how rude they really are...Even when asking crazy questions...What good does it do for you? I see no sense in these questions about black people, bodily functions, and stuff of that nature...Have fun with this site, and enjoy what is being offered to us...One day it will disappear, and then the people who are serious about this site will suffer...How rude is that?

Answer 9

No they were not! Etiquette dictated being civil to everyone. Etiquette and manners are apparently a thing of the past. What a shame! Years ago people behaved according to a code of conduct, and rudeness was definitely not in the code

Answer 10

NO,Not even close!

Of course I live in So. CA. where rudeness is widespread.

I the 50's and 60's people would wave and say "hows it going"
to strangers on the street.

Now If a woman backs into your car she wont even stop her cellphone conversation while she digs in her purse for a business card.Giving you a dirty look the whole time as well.

One of a thousand examples!