I am a middle aged person and have noticed a continuing decrease in friendliness. The people who are the least friendly are the people in the 25-35 age group. I think they are brought up in an suspicious era where people do not trust each other. They in turn will only be friendly to someone they know well or someone who can help them.
My generation is more open to strangers and are more trusting in general. We are more open to small talk with people we do not know. My parents generation is even nicer. They knew their next door neighbors and were open to each other.
Is America getting more unfriendly?
2007-12-13 03:49:55 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yeah kinda. I'm a generation X-er myself and I know most people in their 20s are getting bitchier. It's a society where you do what you want, say what you want, and if you dont like something, sue them. It's response to the type of society that has developed. You never know who is a pervert, who is taking pictures of you for the internet, or who will attack or rape you. People are just more hostile and paranoid in general. I find it annoying myself.
2007-12-13 04:04:27 · answer #1 · answered by Dig It 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The vocal minority of America is getting more unfriendly. All you need to do is look past those queen bees and kingpins and you'll find that the majority of people in this country are very nice. Guarded, yes, because events and realities in this country dictate that you should be on guard around complete strangers, as opposed to telling some random person your life story like people did in the past. But most of the people I know and associate with, and plenty of people I've come across randomly, are very nice - including 20-somethings.
2007-12-13 12:59:43 · answer #2 · answered by bride2be09 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the world has changed so much over the decades and parents now have taught their children to be cautious and they should be rightly so. I do believe that some people you can read and you can be open too but I've come across alot of older people who are just downright rude and selfish. I think everyone has grown up differently it was a different world 50-70yrs ago we did not have AIDS, serial killers were not really heard of, and well our polution level was low and we didn't have alot of crime.
I think we need to realize that everthing has changed in this world of ours thus we will have different ways we communicate and how friendly we are to complete strangers.
2007-12-13 12:21:05 · answer #3 · answered by Livinrawguy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the speed at which people have to do things these days. I remember when I was a kid everyone seemed nicer and you had more time to talk. Now it's "get it done" and I really don't have the time to talk. A lot of the older people come into my work and I feel bad that I can't stand there and talk to them longer. I know they are just trying to be nice but I have dead lines and people yelling at me to get stuff done. When I'm slow like today no one comes in and talks. I'd love to talk to someone when I'm slow. It's just the way life is I guess.
2007-12-13 12:06:06 · answer #4 · answered by Higurb M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with what owen says, adding technology of course. Im 23 and i've noticed that yeah teenagers are just self-absorbed and not willing to open up. About canada, well there's still the technology issues there...mostly everywhere but it does have to do a lot w/values. The canadians are way more liberal and most i've met are friendly. Half the reason why im moving to canada.
2007-12-13 12:31:22 · answer #5 · answered by *XoXo* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I am unfortunate enough to belong to the Ipod generation. They would rather plug in the Ipod or Bluetooth and block out the rest of the world than take the chance of looking at another human and heaven forbid, talking. What can I say?
2007-12-13 12:00:33 · answer #6 · answered by Bad Answer Queen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean!!! I have noticed that too... Just yesterday this 20 something receptionist was rude to me at the dentist office. I am 36 years old, so maybe I made the cut off for being rude!!!LOL- well, I do notice older folks over 60 rude as well, not really rude, but bitter, especially w/ kids. I don't know and can't explain this phenomenon!!!
2007-12-13 11:57:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree
People just aren't nice anymore
Girls my age (the 20 somethings) are never friendly to other girls
Sometimes I will see a girl staring at me and smile, and she will just give me a dirty look
I don't think it's a matter of not trusting people, I think that people nowadays are just downright nasty and angry for no reason
2007-12-13 12:00:09 · answer #8 · answered by marm212 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have noticed this, and I'm only 18. I am very friendly towards everyone. When I am walking past people at my college, I try to smile or say hi. Most of the time, they don't even react. It is very rude.
2007-12-13 11:58:32 · answer #9 · answered by ♣ALT 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that we all need a boost sometime. I try to be aware and go out of my way to smile. I also do things like buying the person behind me at Starbucks his or her drink of choice. I usually do it when I am in the drive through so there is no need for explanation. I think it makes their day that someone went out of their way just because....
2007-12-13 12:21:49 · answer #10 · answered by WhiteChocolate 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋