Are we becoming ruder as a Society?

Question

I recently read a study that claimed we are progressivly becoming ruder.

On a daily basis, one can drive down the freeways of LA, and see cars being cut off, resulting in verbal assault.

If you walk into any retail store, you see associates being treated rudley by a customer that feels they must talk on their cell phone about their recent bout with a nasty rash, in a voice loud enough to include a full city block.

I challange you to walk through a "big box" retailer, without finding an associate talking on a cell phone, telling rude jokes in the presence of customers, or just plain ignoring customers.

I want to know this....... Is society becoming ruder? Or are we simply becoming more advanced? One can argue that we are so "plugged in" that we are not rude, only changing the rules, to accomodate the improvements that have evolved.

Instead of a quick answer, please elaborate on why you feel the way that you do.

Answer 1

Yes. I feel that you have a very valid point. I do see the same thing in society myself - more and more rude people. Here is my opinion about that:

I believe that some of the reason for this may have some, or a lot to do with how back in the 80's(?) it seemed as though parents went on this "non-discipine" thing with their children. I raised my kids in the 80's - by my self. It was very difficult. But I will tell you this: my children listened to me, they always behaved well and with all of this, they were very loving and we got along so good. As they grew up, I made sure that I always kept communication open EVERYday - non-fail. I was consistent in my views and my discipline. If I spoke, they knew that I meant business. They each only tested that one time. They learned. There was no violence, no yelling, no belittling or anything like that in how I disciplined my children. The key that made it simple and made it work was "consistency". I did not say one thing one week, and give in the next. EVER. And, another thing: Not a day would go by where they did not get more hugs than they wanted and told "I love you" frequently. I always explained things to them - at their level - it made them feel involved and important. Anyway, my point is that these days, there is rarely any discipline with children. Have ya noticed? I believe because of this, kids are not given the chance to learn values. To really know what the word "appreciation" means, and without that, what kind of a kid do you think will result? You guessed it - the rude, inconsiderate people of today.

That is my opinion.

Answer 2

I work in a small shop that sells larger bras and Lingerie. I have sooo many customers complain about the service they didn't get in a "Normal" store. They have been insulted, laughed at, and generally made to feel lower class. Apparently it is just too hard to be polite to someone who has a problem being a little bigger than average. I enjoy helping these people, they are a pleasure to deal with usually, and they are grateful for the help I give them, But they shouldn't be!! They are a customer, I am a salesperson, and they shouldn't have to be grateful to be served. This is a service industry, and if other salespeople are rude, then it serves them right if they lose their jobs. Yes, I believe that society is becoming ruder and I get annoyed that a little genuine politeness is so appreciated. Yes I enjoy the thanks I recieve, but that IS MY JOB, AND IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT MY CUSTOMER SHOULD BE SERVED AND TREATED POLITELY!! Anyhow, I am happy, my customers are happy (and they tell me so all the time) and I am glad that all the bigger stores are so rude. It's great for my business.

Answer 3

I don't feel that advancement is the reason for increased rudeness. In fact, I see discourtesy as a step backward, regardless of advancements. Perhaps it's because we are living in our own little microcosms and are so concerned with our own issues, and, as a result, we have lost sight of our fellow human beings. For this reason, I feel it's even more important to remember each other on a daily basis and to go out of our ways to be nice to others.

I recently wrote a paper on implementing conflict resolution programs in organizations. Most organizations have implemented, or will soon be implementing, conflict resolution programs and philosophies to help solve such issues. Diversity programs are also very popular as well as extremely important. Diversity and conflict resolution programs at work will spill over into the personal lives of people and will have a positive influence on others.

As the world becomes more advanced and people work toward globalization, it becomes even more important to not fall victim to the rudeness factor. With globalization, we also must consider other cultures, religions, etc. It isn't just about being nice, it's also about understanding and respect of things that are very different from ourselves. Often, people's reactions to that which is different is fear. Fear has a tendency to be very damaging, and when people are fearful they can be very rude.

There are many callous people in society, but I feel such callousness can be defeated if we would just become conscious of our attitudes and actions. Each day, our attitude and action will affect others, and we should make it a positive experience for each person with whom we have contact.

Answer 4

I think people have been rude throughout the ages. With new technological advances, our methods of rudeness expands. When we think of the past, we often think of the "good ol' days". We rarely think about just how bad people were in those days, because the past is often depicted in a good light. However, historians will show, that people behaved just as rudely in the past. Think of how we put men in arenas with lions, to fight for their lives, while an entire crowd cheered the lion on to kill the man. Think about pirates. Think of Mozart! Think about all the scumbags/criminals that have ever lived. Think of slavery. Think about Hitler. Think about the dark side of the 50's. I'm sure the future generations will look back at us and think we were living in a time of peace. History books in school will always talk about our accomplishments, and the great things we have done for humanity. Historians will go on the History channel and explain these accomplishments, but on other shows they will expose how rude we really were. Some movies will depict the gentlemen of our time, while other movies will show the scumbags. In every generation, there will be MANY good people, and there will be MANY rude people. All you need to do is open your eyes, and you'll find them each. I believe technology is only changing the way we are allowed to be rude. But, it's also changing the way we can be polite.

Answer 5

I do believe that common courtesy is going down. As society has become more casual, manners and chivalry have become less prominent. As we get more casual, we tend to get more self-centered. And self-centerd people usually are rude. A recent study from the LA Times showed that this generation of college graduates are far more narcistic than past generations. That could prove that we're getting ruder. As things become less formal, the way that we address each other does too. So yes, I do feel that we are getting more rude.

Answer 6

People are becoming more rude as time goes on because society allows it these days. It is no longer looked down upon to be impolite in front of anybody, unlike before society looked up to those who were classy and polite -- now people don't care as much about what others think of them so they act however they want.

Answer 7

we are a rude society because we forgot what it means to be humane where a all about me world we don't care unless it's happening in our back yard then where ready to raise hell and kick and scream we forgot about our neighbor's and friends we only look out for and care about me me me and everyone else can go to hell this is why the world is so mess up and there seems to be no help any where and ruder and nasty er we become the worst the world seems. and it seems where involving as you it on to the fast track to becoming cell phone crazy gun toting manics who don't give a f**k about anyone .
PS sorry for the rant but I had to let it out .

Answer 8

definite. What can we assume whilst persons like Mitch McConnell and Mr. Cruz ""Joe McCarthy" brazenly attack different innocents like the President. Misbehavior between the Republicans is despicable on condition that they supply liberty to others to act so badly besides. we ought to substitute those with respectable persons.

Answer 9

Nah.

Hairless apes have been rude for hundreds of thousands of years. There are just more of them now.

My race would harvest and kill them, but we can't figure out how to make anything useful out of hairless apes.

Answer 10

yes