What Happened to Common Courtesy?

What ever happened to manners? It seems like there is just a general lack of manners anymore. No please or thank you said, rarely someone bothers to hold the door open for you, and such foul language. What is happening? Does it really take that much effort that people cannot be polite and courteous? People lack driving manners, eating manners, and just manners in general.

Growing up my parents taught me manners and made them a part of my everyday life. I make sure to always say please and thank you and I will always hold the door open for someone who is behind me. I do not do it because I feel obligated to; I do it because I feel it is the right thing.

During high school, one the organizations I was in, there was about 15 members in it, and I was disgusted at the lack of manners. So, I started to say please and thank you for others when they would ask a favor or someone would do something nice for someone, and once they heard me say it, they would say it too. People would walk in the room and if someone was in their way they would just walk into them, they would not say excuse me. In addition, if someone accidentally bumped into you they would not say, "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry." I thought it was very rude. At one point I was so upset with the lack of manners, I brought in kids book I had at home on manners and read it to them one day. I did end up with the nickname "where are you manners?" but people started to be more polite towards each other.

Even in the media, on talk shows, people are constantly interrupting each other or bashing others. If you don't like someone that's fine, but there is no need to be so rude about it. People have different opinions and that is okay; it is a part of life, but you don't have to get mean and rude about it. It is healthy to have a good debate, but when people start to get personal and attack others, that is just out of hand.

Eating manners; the one that bothers me the most is cell phone etiquette, when you hear someone's cell phone ring loud in clear in a restaurant and they answer it and have a loud conversation. Can you say rude? Please be courteous of everyone around you who might like to enjoy a nice dinner without overhearing someone else's phone conversation. Just the lack of general manner while eating, elbows on the table, talking with your mouth full, when did these things become acceptable?

Manners while driving - this is a pet peeve of mine, because a lot of the lack of manners while driving can jeopardize your safety and the safety of others. People are constantly tailgating others, which can cause accidents if someone has to stop suddenly. The majority of the times this happens, people are following the speed limit and others just seem to be in a rush. Have some respect; you are not the only one on the road who has to get somewhere. It is very similar for cutting people off too; some people just do not pay attention and others are in a rush. There are driving laws for a reason.

Foul language also really bothers me - the use of the "F-bomb" more than anything else does. It is just a rude word, yet people use it all the time, and somehow is has multiple meanings; it can be used as a verb or an adjective. The word just has a vulgar sound to it, it does not sound very nice, and it is used in many rude ways. Many other words that could replace the "F-bomb" sound better and not near as vulgar. It just does not sound very nice or professional.

We should always treat others with the utmost respect. Say please, thank you, and excuse me when necessary. Hold the door open if someone is right behind you. When you are driving, don't tailgate, and there is no need to cut anyone off. When you are eating, put your napkin on your lap, keep your elbows off the table, and don't talk with your mouth full. Cut back on foul language, it's not that hard. These are all examples of simple manners. You don't have to go out of your way to do any of these things. It is just common courtesy. People get mad when others are rude to them, yet they are also rude themselves. Simple solution: mind your manners, think before you speak, remember there are other people around you.

Sometimes the lack of manners makes me wonder if etiquette classes should be mandatory in schools. Not everyone has perfect manners, and that is okay, but everyone can remember to say things like "please," "thank you," and "excuse me." Please, just remember to be courteous to those around you and mind your manners. Thank you.