I find that when I tell complete strangers excuse me they give me a bad look. What's wrong with people? Even now I hear the words excuse me pronounced as "cuze me". Are manners changing or have some forgotten them?
2007-01-09 06:16:11 · 26 answers · asked by jade20743 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
walking down an isle in a store, my husband and I came upon 2 couples talking. they were standing in the middle and I politely said Excuse Me as I started around...one of the women looked at me as if I had said the "c" word, and as we continued on the other woman said "so much for the holiday spirit" (yes it was around Christmas time)...I then politely turned around and said "well fa la la la la" and kept on walking...
I think it all depends on what mood people are in and not the tone you use
2007-01-09 06:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by Jessi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the 17th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette,"
Saying "Excuse Me" and "I beg your pardon" expresses a person's awareness that he has inconvenienced or might inconvenience someone else. Using these words can sometimes calm a situation and help achieve the desired results for both parties. These polite turns of phrase are called for whenever you do the following:
1. Make a necessary interruption: "Excuse me for interrupting, but you have a phone call."
2. Make a request, "Excuse me, but this is the nonsmoking section. Would not mind not smoking here, please?"
3. Acknowledge an error, "I beg your pardon. I didn't realize you were already waiting in line."
4. Make a remark, usually whispered, that might seem embarrassing, "Pardon me, but your bra strap is showing>"
5. Leave another person or group, "Excuse me- I wish I could chat longer, but I have to get to the pharmacy before it closes."
Also- your "Excuse me" should be said in a polite, kind voice. If you sound like you're annoyed, you will get looks.
I 've said "Excuse me" rather forcefully when those I am asking this ignore me or don't acknowledge that I am there. That hasn't happened for a while (thank goodness).
I hope this helps.
Keep saying it. It pays to be polite.
2007-01-09 08:08:34 · answer #2 · answered by Malika 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Excuse me" is a phrase (like good manners)that will never go out of style. People nowadays seem to have forgotten their manners or were never taught them as children.
Don't let other peoples rudeness disuade you from maintaining your level of etiquette in being a proper gentleman or lady.
"Be the shining light that stands in the darkness for everyone to see. Be the one who will blaze the path where there was no path so that one day others may follow".
2007-01-09 23:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh I think have forgotten them n they need to know that manners never go out of style.When u say excuse me when going by someone it's fine but I have used that wording when people r IM me and saying something rude like your sexy and I would love to..... so I reply (excuse me) so it can be used for other things but it is good manners as well.Bye 4 now n have a great day.
2007-01-09 06:30:35 · answer #4 · answered by too4barbie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Like at the grocery store. You will always find someone taking up the whole aisle with their cart while they are just standing there staring at something. Usually I will wait a bit to see if they notice that I can't get by. When they don't I say "Excuse me please" in a very polite manner...and yes I get many dirty looks as if I am telling them to move out of the way in their own home. I think people are getting more rude.
2007-01-09 06:21:38 · answer #5 · answered by Stormilutionist Chasealogist 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People this day in age we have snotty people. That say Excuse Meee. And they end up having an attitude when someone bumps into them. I don't have a problem where I live with that.
Its not about manner changing. People have forgotten.
2007-01-09 09:31:49 · answer #6 · answered by Brandi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people actually think that you are telling them to move. Shame on you for that, lol. It could also be that you spoke to them and that is just wrong as well.
The problem is people are not used to manners anymore. I've even lost a date because of my opening a door for a girl. My parents raised me to be chivalrous so it's not like I thought she couldn't open the door herself. She asked me why i was opening the Door for her and I replied that I was trying to be a gentleman. Next thing I know she goes on this "I am woman hear me b*#ch" rant. I just walked away and got in my car and drove off.
Chivalry is dead and so are manners. No one wants help and if you have manners you are stared at like you have 2 heads.
2007-01-09 06:31:16 · answer #7 · answered by fluid_reality78 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they are just annoyed that you are asking them to move. *shrugs* I personally would much rather have someone say "excuse me" instead of just shoving past me.
I think that manners are forgotten alot of time. People are so high strung and stressed out, and they start to think only of themselves and how stressful and busy their lives are. This causes them to care less and less about others. This is unfortunate because, by forgetting their manners, they are actually making things more unpleasant for themselves as they are bound to receive more negative responses from others.
2007-01-09 06:59:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that "excuse me" itself is rude, but it can certainly be pronounced in a variety of rude ways. Plus I suspect some people take offense at others politeness, thinking it makes them seem rude (hey, if the shoe fits...)
2007-01-09 06:22:24 · answer #9 · answered by lee m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its only rude if they say it in a rude way towards the person and shorten the phrase like the way you say. Its the younger generation and they are not taught properly in the right etiquette in how to treat people if they've done something wrong.
2007-01-09 08:43:45 · answer #10 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋