Is it me or are people becoming more rude?

Question

I've noticed that good manners, social graces and customer services is becoming a thing of the past. Why? Many people don't hold the door for one another anymore, they don't smile at one another; they don't excuse themselves when they push past you in a store. People seem to be oblivious of ther surroundings.
I have a real problem with customer service. Since when has it become acceptable not to greet a customer when they approach? These days you're lucky of a salesclerk even looks at you or smiles when you get to the register. How about salesclerks who make you wait until they are good and ready to help you?

Answer 1

No, you are correct. It is just one of the signs that our society is decaying. They don't teach respect, kindness or manners in schools any more. Our kids are not taught to respect this country or our flag. We've taken so much substance out of school and replaced it with fluff. The teachers have no authority and are basically educated baby sitters. Due to the proliferation of cable and satellite TV the youth of this nation have ready proof what idiots we have in Washington. Parent(s) have to work 2 jobs to make ends meet and have no time to train their children properly. So the kids receive there growing up experience elsewhere. And it is usually counter productive to what is good for them and our society as a whole. Then these kids grow up to become cashiers and work customer service.The sad thing is in 20 years we will look back on this time as the good old days.

Answer 2

No, it's not just you. As many people have said, we live in a selfish society. Most (not all) people think about themselves. What can I get? How does that benefit me?, etc.

I've decided not to shop where there is good customer service.
I deserve good customer service because I'm giving my money to that corporation. If they can't even greet me or say thank you, then they don't need my money.

For instance, we have Whole Foods http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com in Milwaukee.

Before that, I'd shop at Pick N Save and Jewel Osco.

I had no idea that shopping can be fun again before Whole Foods. Whole Foods gives away stuff when you buy $15 or more. They clerks are nice, they have free samples, if you need help, there are plenty of people around and they don't mind helping you. The prices go from cheap to expensive.

Needless to say, I won't shop at Pick N Save or Jewel because of the lack of customer appreciation and service.

I've also decided that no matter where I go, I'll help people by opening a door, showing them where something is, etc.

My theory is if we all take time out of our day to help someone else, it'll not only benefit them, but it'll help us. We all have so much to deal with, why can't we all just get a long? A little smile or help goes a long way. :)

Answer 3

This is a bit off subject to your question, but I'm really disgusted with the businesses in and around my town. Especially the grocery stores and restaurants. Our little towns itty bitty grocery store has more clerks working there & actually Wal-Mart needs to borrow them cuz they never have enough. This grocery store has a few grouchy clerks and I bet they are this way because a lot of people complain to them about all the sour milk they sell, and the freezer burned frozen foods. I realize that this is a manager or owner problem, but the clerks take the brunt, and this has been going on forever and will probably never change, so the clerks have to listen. The owner has been told, but he doesn't do anything, mostly just hides. Why doesn't he lay off some of the clerks he doesn't need and buy a new freezer !?!?!?!? And, he could get a new milk refrigerator or find out what is going on with the distributor.

The restaurants around here sell spoiled food. It is absolutely disgusting and if you tell them about it they have a little hissy fit, , like it is our (the customers) fault. I am done patronizing these places. I have never been rude when I made a suggesting while returning something. I just get looks like I am crazy or something. And, the prices are outragous. I just cannot believe that these people can stay in business. I am not the only one around here who feels this way.

Thanks for letting me vent. Sorry, I couldn't get the spell check to do its job for some reason.

Answer 4

In today's world, everyone has a lot on their mind ... the average salesclerk included. Global warming, debt, and obesity, along with the random stresses of everyone's day-to-day life, is probably the reason so many people these days are just down-right rude. Not that there is usually an exceptional excuse. Sometimes, it is like politeness seems to have lost all its value in society... and while a salesclerk is at work, it is their JOB to be friendly and assist you. I know how you feel, and how obnoxious it can be to wait in line forever, only to be made wait because the clerk has a phone call (From a customer? I think not, seeing as they answered the phone, "Hey baby.")

But next time you are dealing with a rude (or just stressed and run-down?) sales clerk, maybe you can try to brighten the world. Offer them a smile, or (if they deserve one) a tip, and maybe people will start to lighten up. I mean, not like bribing them to smile or something. What I mean is, In a world with so many unfriendly faces, at least you can decide to be polite and kind to everyone you meet... and maybe they will pass it on.

In the mean time... keep on keeping on. :) Best wishes!

Answer 5

It seems everything is getting so automated. People are forgetting how to be polite with each other. It doesn't really matter anymore as it use to. When you call a business you are greeted by a automated voice, telling you which number to push or say. When it comes to salesclerks I've noticed that too. I think it is poor management and not paying them by commission as much. There are still stores that have great customer service like Nordstrom for example. I wish people would start going back to having manners and being polite and stop acting like robots!!

Answer 6

Speaking for customer service, I used to be a retail manager and while I could take all of the rudeness the customers gave, I hated to see my sales people have to put up with it. For every 5 customers, this time of year, at least 3 are rude to the sales clerks. If you wait on 50 people, and more than half are rude to you? It's hard to keep up a "cheerful, friendly" attitude, you begin to anticipate rudeness.
Those same people who don't hold the door, push past you in the store, cut you off in the parking lot, rush through not smiling at anyone, are the same people the sales clerks have been dealing with all day.

Answer 7

It's not your imagination. It's happening all over the place. I find that when I make attempts to use manners, people stare at me as if I have some kind of problem. Salesclerks are right up there, but I have found others to be just as bad. I have a co-worker whom I greet every morning, and she just coldly glares at me as if to say, "What's your problem?" She won't even say hello to her colleagues, and takes her own sweet time when it comes to actually getting down to work. The worst part? People actually tolerate it, even my boss.

Answer 8

I believe that people ARE becoming more rude and social graces are falling by the wayside. Why? I believe it is because these types of people are too into themselves instead of thinking of others. It is all about me, that's the thinking.

When we start caring about and for others rather than always about ourselves, then things will change. Do I think this will happen? It doesn't look good to me. That is a sad commentary on our society.

Answer 9

It depends on your surroundings. Certain countries, and even different sections of the US are held to different levels of social graces.
Take it as a mark of your maturity that your are now recognizing the nuance of appropriate manners.

Kill them with kindness. Smiles are contagious. A rude word to some people will ruin their entire day. A smile and a kind word will save it or make it, too. If you go out of your way to be upbeat and nice/happy/polite, you'll begin to see those traits come out of those about you.

>Brainwashing can be such fun when your subjects are unaware>

Answer 10

I sadly agree with you.

The only reason I can think of for this regrettable state of affairs is that we are now surrounded by a whole generation who have been carefully taught that they are the center of the Universe.

It's hard to care about customers when you're the Queen of the World who is unfairly made to work!