Sometimes you may hear some people saying “Young people today, they have no manners!”, but between me and you, the readers of my blog, I’m here to tell you that it’s not just young people who have no manners, it’s also the older generations that seem to have a complete disregard for good manners and polite etiquette.
So, the other day I was out and about, doing my normal amount of window shopping and with stores having doors!, I know you can see where this is going right! (in a Stewie Griffin voice), after walking through the doors, I held them open for an elderly gentlemen, at which point he just walked through and never said a word, not one iota!
I shrugged this off but then on the way out, I held the door again for another elderly woman, nothing, but the teenager behind her saw me holding the door and hurried up to walk through and he said “thank you”…
The same goes when in a supermarket when you’re looking at something on the shelves, people will just walk straight in front of you in that two feet gap between you and the shelves and not such as a simple “Sorry, excuse me”.. GGGRRRRRR, it just makes me so mad, maybe it’s because I was brought up with manors and I go out of my way to say please, thank you, excuse me etc. But come on does it take so much effort just to open your mouth and say such simple terms? Or even better, don’t walk in front of people when they are looking at things or you may just find a foot sticking out to trip you over!
So come on people don’t knock some of the younger generations, it seems some of them do have manors and the older generations have forgotten to use them or they consider themselves void of any polite communication to anyone who is willing to take the time to hold open a door, or more out of their way.
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Tags: good mannors, polite etiquette, polite mannors
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Twitter: z3olyte
says:
The second situation about people walking past you in a two feet gap is quite funny… I’ve encountered a lot of people like that, some do it in purpose but there are also some that are just caught in a situation they cant get out of and even if they dont mean to offend, they still dont say sorry so they can avoid further humiliation.
I guess the older you get, the thicker you become… but it should apply to certain cases.
Great post… and youre a very kind person
Stumbled!
Cindy recently posted..Social Media Discs
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
You could be right, the older, the thicker
and thanks for the stumble 
Karen recently posted..Captured From Static by Northcape Album Review
Twitter: danalingga
says:
It may be because the manners is only wasting time these days.
Dana recently posted..The Complete List Building Method Free Video
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
What a terrible thought, I would hope that those that do not have manners would have a little time to spend to say thank you, thanks for the RT by the way, always much appreciated
Twitter: techcrunchies
says:
Do you think it has something to do with UK becoming a melting pot of cultures? Going out of the way to say a thank-you or sorry has been a British culture, if I am not wrong..
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
It could well be, but still it would be nice that anyone who lives in another country, should at least try and attempt to follow some of it’s culture
Karen recently posted..My Selection For This Weeks Twitter FollowFriday
Twitter: davelucas
says:
The most powerful hyphenated English language word:
THANK-YOU…
I had an encounter about a year ago with a grump: an elderly woman coming out the door of a shop in Manhattan the same time I was going in …
Before I could say “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me” – she said to me “Get out of my way, stupid!”
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
Now that’s just down right rude!
Karen recently posted..Who’s the Band – Downfire
Twitter: money_whisper
says:
I respect people that are older than me but I also expect respect in exchange. If I receive none than I cannot give it, no?
Twitter: MetallmanX
says:
Hey there Karen,
I guess it’s true. The older you get the more self centered and like a baby you become. Too bad too. We should have more eldery like Johnny Cash. Later!
Twitter: simplehomeorg
says:
You are so correct. I always say thank you..and it amazes me how many don’t bother when you hold a door for them. If they are super rude..I always say to them “You’re welcome” and walk away, hoping they will think about that next time.
Melinda recently posted..Cool Find Friday #2
I agree entirely with your post. Some elders I was close to growing up used to tell me not to say “thank you” because it sounded fake (I can assure you, it wasn’t fake on my part). These same people now are in the situation where they cannot acknowledge anything done for them and at the same time are muttering on about how ungrateful and rude everyone else is.
ashok recently posted..Posts on Greek Drama and History
Twitter: ditesco
says:
So true and yet very annoying. Here in Brazil, the elderly have so many advantages and I realize that they should. On the other hand, the fact that they feel they have this advantage, they automatically think that anyone is obliged to “say” open the doors for them. In this case, what’s the purpose of saying thank you for something that you are supposedly obliged to do, go figure
DiTesco recently posted..Make Money Using Google’s Webmaster Tools
Twitter: colleenlane
says:
The other day, my 18 year old son held the door open for a Mom and her adult girl child. We’ve taught our kids to respect any and all walks of life, holding the door open is the least that can be done for anyone. The Mom said, “No thanks, we’ve been liberated” Liberated? Are women in need of liberation these days? I didn’t have a gun, so I didn’t shoot her! [grins]
Colleen recently posted..45th Annual Columbia Cup Hydroplane Races on the Columbia River
I must agree, There are way to many people in this world who are just plain rude! I live in a very busy metro area and can tell you that there is no longer the common courtesy that there was 10 years ago! The sad part is that the older ones who are rude show th younger generation to be rude as that is how they are raised!!! Thanks for the post!! Great to read!
Twitter: AnipalInfo
says:
Karen, it’s not just in the UK. Many people in the states are the same way.
I also love the people that talk (scream) on their cell phones while their kids are running around like maniacs. If the child runs into you the parents say something like “Hey, watch out for my kid”.
I would think they would be telling the child to say “excuse me” “sorry”…nope, it’s my fault for standing there.
I have no problems saying thank you, excuse me, your welcome…in fact, I don’t really even think about it. I just say it.
Wendy recently posted..Calgary Stampede Accused of Animal Cruelty
Twitter: thestarceleb
says:
This is a HUGE problem and something I do not allow in my personal life. I always thought it was common knowledge that you held a door open for someone directly behind you (note I didnt say down the street) and that you absolutely said thank you. I learned that is SO not the case and feel like some sort of manners police and so I have said to more people than I can even begin to count “No problem, you’re welcome” or “No its ok, you walk right in front of me I wasn’t trying to look at those chips” its as if people are so wrapped up in their own world they don’t even realize they behave this way. I’m guessing this because every time I’ve said those things aside from exactly 2x everyone has apologized and even look slightly embarrassed.
I’m 17 and I almost always make a point to say thanks and please and excuse me, etc., but I’ve noticed people far older than me and younger than me hardly ever extend the same courtesy and it’s very irritating. I work at an amusement park and I can honestly say that when working there, I have met some of the rudest people. I’ve gotten cussed out for saying good morning, asking if I could be of any help, even answering their own questions. Too bad politeness isn’t mandatory…it’d make the world a much better place