Why aren't people polite or courteous anymore?

Question

I guess it's just me but, here at work, often people in my department whom I've worked with on occasion, sometimes even people on my own team, will just ignore me when we pass by in the hallway or in the kitchen. To me, it's common courtesy to say "hi", at least acknowledge, give a quick smile or even a simple eyebrow raise. But, I guess I'm in the minority. If you work with people, wouldn't you want to show just a little professional courtesy? It's not that everyone is this way but, most people seem to be. Our office environment is not stuffy or overly-corporate. It's very open and youthful. I guess it's just another example of how common courtesy and politeness is slowly deteriorating in this country. Sad. Don't even get me started on other drivers!

Answer 1

Parents don't teach their children to be courteous anymore.

MOF: I don't think that most children born after 1965 have been taught ANY of the social graces.
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Answer 2

Unfortunately, a lot of business settings seem to be in a "grey bubble," and people forget that they are working with human beings. We can't force people to be courteous. All we can do is resist the grey bubble and be courteous ourselves. So continue acknowledging people in the hallways. Give a great bright smile to everyone you see. let people in on the road and try not to cut people off. Courtesy IS contageous, so set the example for everyone around you and little by little, at least the people in your immediate sphere of influence should change.

Answer 3

I think it's a mixture of issues... some people have become so rushed in their lives, so preoccupied with their world, that they simply do not take the time to be polite. Those are the ones who know they *should* write thank-you notes, but "forget" to do it.

Then you have a group who are ignorant because their parents never taught them basic manners (I think this is particularly true of young people). I'm always amazed, but not surprised, when I see a family out to dinner and the parents ignore their grade-school & teen-aged kids' bad manners (ie eating with mouths open, elbows on tables, not using napkins, etc.).

To me, it seems that our society has made it permissible to be relaxed where manners are concerned, as if being polite is somehow old-fashioned or uptight and therefore wrong or prudish.

Answer 4

It all depends on how you were raised. It seems that parents aren't teaching courtesy to their kids anymore, and in turn, is raising a generation of kids who feel entitled to everything. Unfortunately, we live in a country that is more and more becoming about "me" and what is good for "me".

Answer 5

It's a matter of how they are raised. But more than that it's faster pace of the computer/cell phone/ and yes color tv generations. They have less interaction with peers and parents to learn social graces.

Answer 6

I agree..I live in Kansas and we get a lot of imports. You'd think that they would want to be friendly...they look away and don't acknowledge you...At times I'll speak to someone just to see if they'll return my HI----50/50
Maybe they are insecure and afraid--just keep sayin hi or howdy or something----I will too

Answer 7

World is a mixture of good and bad but most of the people are polite and courteous. I think you should analyse yourself if there is anything wrong on your part.
Don't be pessimistic.

Answer 8

Manners and common courtesy are no longer taught in the home. It is sadly reflected daily in our society.

Answer 9

We've lost contact with our roots, thinking we've "advanced" to a new level. In fact, we're on the ego road. And it's a road that leads to destruction, as Jesus told us long ago.

Answer 10

I love your question I could sit here all day answering so many questions that lead to another question, but my butt hurts from sitting here to long all ready.... If I could give you the 10 points I would!!!