I agree...the rise of the Jerry-Springer-Audience as a demographic chased by the media is incredibly distasteful, and makes you feel just as the article describes. It's such a shame that media outlets try to outdo each other in the field of 'shocking behavior'. I've always attributed it to the low-class market left to regular network TV by the migration of regular people to cable services. But now cable channels are producing the same trash. Is that a sign that low-lifes now have a cable too? It seems like 90% of entertainment news and 50% of regular news also chases the "Shocking" factor. Do we all have "inquiring minds" now (lol)?

I wonder how closely the increase in rudeness is due to a corresponding decrease in the value of shame as an emotion. Shame has been cast as a negative emotion, I believe partly because we've had a generation or two of kids raised with the idea that their self-esteem is all-important. However, without at least the notion of personal shame, unbridled self-esteem building has led us to today's me-based society, where criticism is seen as attack.

When children are led to believe that nothing they do is wrong, and whatever they do is defensible - when there is no personal shame attached to bad behavior - society gets children who tune out the effects of their actions on others.

And, in most cases, these poorly-behaved shameless children grow into poorly-behaved shameless adults.

For shame.

I agree with Susan. It's a crying shame that children (and everyone else for that matter) don't have to deal with the consequences of their actions anymore. Including shame and society's disapproval. If you've done something wrong, you should feel ashamed. It helps you learn not to do it anymore. I don't know what happened but when I was a child, any adult could tell me to knock it off if I was doing something wrong. Don't try it today though, their parents will tell you to mind your own business.

I agree 100% susanaree!

My rudest story is a 6 year old, walking from one side of his table to the other at a crowded restaurant. Our server was taking our order, and blocked his way. He looked up at her and shouted "Get out of my way!!" She was so shocked, that she did.

I told him that was no way to speak to an adult. His mother jumped all over me, and told me I was the one being rude, as he was 'just a child'.

I told her I hoped she would enjoy her visits to jail in a dozen years!

We would have been mopped up on the floor, if we spoke to an adult like that. Yet this 'mother' not only ignored his horrid behavior, but encouraged it, by yelling at me, for defending my server.

What is interesting is that these people are just reflecting the decline in the moral standards we set for our kids and each other. More and more rude behavior is becoming the acceptable norm. The word morals comes from the root word that means majority it is what society allows us to get away with. What we need to do is reflect upon the ethics of social behavior. Ethics comes from the root of what we "ought " to do. To many parents and people in general are getting caught up ion the what we can do and forget what we ought to do.

Coming from a Christian prospective and by no means claiming that Christians including myself are any less guilty of rude behavior than anyone else. God gives us a set of ethical values things we ought to do. The most popular and well know are the big ten. When talking about children it tells us we should honor are fathers and mothers. How are we teaching kids to do this? Because when a child displays rude behavior are they really honoring thier parents? Are you honoring your parents by letting your kids get away with this type of behavior? Do not, steal, do not covet, do not murder, do not lie. All ethical absolutes that we should al live by. Perhaps the greatest absolute is what Jesus called the 2nd greatest commandment of all. "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" That is what we ought to do.

Hiram - I applaud you and agree with you 100%.

Well said Tylersbuddy, Not everything has to revert back to a religious viewpoint that anything good in the world or in people is a result of Jesus. Considering that the rest of world includes faiths other than Christianity, and that respect, morals etc al come in all faiths, creeds and races. It is up to the individuals peers and role models that set the standards for their behavior. After all, most bias' and racist viewpoints are as a result of religious upbringings.

I agree with the two statements above me. Morals and ethics existed LONG before any religion was invented. I know there is a degrading stereotype that our early ancestors were complete savages with no civility. That stereotype has been debunked; our ancestors were quite sentimental and violence was rare between hunter/gatherer bands simply because it was more beneficial to be nice and therefore have access to another band/tribe's resources that your tribe may not have. The violence we hear of did not come until after human society advanced significantly.

First off let me restate this comes from a Christian perspective. What perspective you choose to take on the subject is up to you.

Hiram, not trying to be rude here but did you really need Jesus' affirmation of "Love your neighbor as you love yourself"? What if you did not "know" that Jesus said this? Could you not figure this out for yourself?Personally I am sick to death of the insinuation that without Jesus, God, the Bible, etc. man is incapable of being inherantly good.

Actually it was just affirmation of what I knew in heart to be true. The human conscience and our ability to determine what is right and what is wrong was always a troublesome philosophical problem for me. There was no natural explanation for it, in science. I should point out that for 47 years of my life I was not a Christian in fact I was far from it. That being said in my quest to find the answer to this problem I read and read and read, When I started reading the bible again,even though I had read it many times before I found the truth staring me right in the face. There was no brain washing as a child, there was no peer pressure, there was only me and the bible and the truth of God's word.The reason that we have a conscience is that God planted His revelation of right and wrong in our hearts upon our creation. He also planted the ability to chose either. If you feel the need we can go into the philosophical, theological and scientific reasons why I believe man is not inherently good nor is he inherently evil.

It is up to the individuals peers and role models that set the standards for their behavior. After all, most bias' and racist viewpoints are as a result of religious upbringings.

Right and wrong; Right that our morals can and are influenced by our peers and role models. Unfortunately in today's world that is sadly lacking. We have entertainment models, athletic models and government leader models that all to often fall short as role models. We see stealing, drugs, adultery, sexual promiscuity, rudeness, foul language and just general abhorrent behavior. All with no or little accountability.

Wrong in that bias and racism are not exclusive to a religious up bringing. It can be seen in all people regardless of their beliefs. Has religion be the cause of this type of behavior ? You bet it has, However that is because just as the Pharisees of the past man has injected his own doctrine above and beyond what God gave us a s guide. Man always wants to corrupt the good to make it his own that is our nature. Christianity in my view is not a so much a religion as a way of life. I endeavor to live my life as a living example of God's word, to walk in the steps of Christ Jesus as best I can.

you read the Bible multiple times when you were far from a Christian? That doesn't make a bit of sense.

Why does this not make sense? If one is searching for the truth would they not search everywhere? Plus if I was going to refute the Christian belief would it not behoove me to know what they believe? Makes total sense to me.

Why is it that innocent children are homeless, sick and starving not only around the globe, but right here in this country, while monsterously expensive and ornate churches, monuments, shrines, etc. are being built to serve religion?

Because they are following their "religion" just as I stated before. I go to a modest church in a modest building. Jesus had no use for all the ornate churches, monuments and shrines. I can only speak for myself, but that is not what Christianity is about , like I said before it is way of life. The same can be said for people around the world who have between the trillions of dollars, houses in several countries or many house in one country. We do these things because we do not honor God but we honor our own pride, and love of material things. God does not deny us the ability to provide for our families and to live a life that is free from poverty. It is when we take for granted all that He has given us that it becomes perverse and dishonors His teachings. The early church was to give 1/10 of their best to the storehouse , giving it back to God. That store house was used to feed and cloth the poor. Churches were modest and plain, in many cases they were just someones house.

As a former server, some of the rudest people and worst tippers were christian groups that come in. Being an atheist, I still strive to treat everybody with respect and dignity. Religion has no bearing on good morals and values.

Tylersbuddy....I really do understand what you are saying about "Religion" and you are most likely right. Why do we have churches that are so big and right outside children may be hungry. But you are talking about religion...that has nothing to do with being a Christian. I am a Christian and go to a Bible based church that started in a empty building and we were able to upgrade to a quansit-hut....we are now about 300 strong, but no flashiness, just basic Bible-study. I also hear "Why would I want to go to church when so-and-so was at the bar last night and now he is in church...he is such a hypocrite" my thinking is thank God he is now in church. Maybe church isn't for every one, but that has nothing to do with someones personal belief about the Lord or whom ever they believe to believe in. You chose not to believe, please don't ask the question about the churches, because that's mans at fault....not God. I hope you understand my belief as I will not put you down for yours.

I also agree with you Reaves -Religion has no bearing on good morals and values, but for me, my Christian belief helps me to be a better person and also helps me to see the best in everyone else....just my opinion

Linna, I do think that religion is a great guide for people that believe in it and use. Its great that you see the importance of treating people like you would want to be treated. Many people could learn from you. Keep up the great behavior, maybe it will set an example to many others.

Totally agree with In Shock and do not support those kinds of shows in anyway. It's nice to see that an aticle about rudeness can lead to much more pleasent online comments and conversations. Reading them has given me a little more faith that we are not all as rude selfish as I once though.

10 percent of what the common man makes is a far cry from what 10 percent of what the wealthy make.

In that you are correct. However God only ask for 10% from all equally. Giving to God is a privilege and an honor for me at least. All that I have is because of Him to give some of that back to further His kingdom and help those in need is one my greatest joys. And should be a great joy to all Christians. However in the New Testament we are told to give what our hearts say to give."So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7 This type of giving also comes with a promise "And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for all good work" 2 Corinthians 9:8 This leads into your second point

The wealthy "Christians" are clearly profitting financially and "spiritually" from the commoners, at the expense of the suffering and dying children. Why can't the "common" Christians see this, and stop giving it to the church and start giving it to an organization that will see to it that it does not go to a fancy steeple or the pastor's mercedes payment

Men will always take advantage of the people. That is just the way our nature is. There are those that do just that in the name of "religion or in the name of Christianity. It is up to the individual Christian to discern on whether what they are giving is being given for the advancement of God's kingdom or the advancement of the person taking the gift. I am very discerning when ti comes down to this. There are ministries that have been blessed with abundance because of the willingness to give out of what they receive. There isn no way in today's world to get the message of the gospel out without to put it bluntly spending some money. And we are command to spread the word to all corners of the earth. Our church supports several missionaries in that cause. But along with spreading the gospel they do work with the communities to help them better themselves, through health services and educational service to name a few. Then there are those that I feel take advantage of what they receive. The "common" Christian just like the common man can be deceived by a flashy smile and nice suit and someone claiming to do God's work. " Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" Matthew 7:15

practice their faith in the privacy of their home?

I do both, and there are many home churches popping up all over the country. Even those need moneys to continue to by books and teaching materials. We are also commanded not to forsake the gathering together. Since the beginning they have gather together to worship the Lord. The entire Book of Leviticus outlines the rules to the Jews on gathering and worshiping God together. Even Jesus gathered people together. None of the Apostles were ever alone. The book of Acts outlines the planting of churches. The term together is used 435 times in the bible, therefore it must have been an important event to God. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them" Matthew 18:20

Would Christ obect to this?

In the sense of some of the "pastors" having extravagant things I think it would depend on a few things. Do they honor God? In that do they give back to His people in their abundance? Remember the promise for those that do. If they do not and keep all that they have, and what they have is important to them then us Christ would object to this. Many Christians know the parable of the rich young man. He came to Christ and wanted to know how to get to heaven. Christ told him that he had to keep all the commandments. The rich Young man said "I have done this since my youth". Christ said good then sell all that you have and give it to the poor then follow me. The rich young man could not so he left sad an broken. He had no kept all the commandments, he was guilty of Idolatry, he worshiped his money more that God. AS a church we do pay our pastor. Is he rich I know he is not, I am involved with the church leadership and know that for a fact. Since the beginning with the Levies the priest were not to work so they could devote their lives to God. Even Jesus and the Apostles were dependant on the giving of those they served. SO there is nothing wrong with that as long as the church leader doesn't take advantage of the situation. That is why we have an Elder board, just like the church of old to keep that in check.

The Golden Rule is just plain common sense, and I refuse to pay homage to the Bible for its meaning.

Asking a Christian not to reference the bible when asked such a question is like asking someone to argue about air without using it. I will try (holding breath) the idea of common sense makes no sense with common denominator. If you look at a world ruled by lets say nothing but evolution, which is base do natural selection, which ic based on survival of the fittest. Then there is no common sense. We just as the animals are our for all we can get to further our own survival. There is no fact in nature that accounts for our ability to love, and care for the sick, old and disabled. In nature they would all die and that would be good because it improves my survivability. Without God putting His law upon our hearts there is no Golden Rule. No other belief system rest solely on what can I do for others unconditionally except those that follow Christ. Believe me I searched for half my life to find this truth. This was not done on a whim or a moment of weakness this has been a life long quest. Just just as He gave His all for mankind we are called to give our all for mankind. Not because of a reward but out of respect and love for what He has done for us.

This is completely off topic from the actual article but oh well. Based on this conversation, I actually think Hiram has very good points. If you remove the references to the bible and Christianity, the underlying concepts are sound. I would assume if Hiram simply spoke without presenting it in a fashion that it was the Bible or Jesus speaking, no one would disagree.

I follow more of a Zen+personal philosophy than religion. But here's some food for thought. Let's use the moon as a symbol of enlightenment, heaven, or any other "end goal" that any religion describes. The ultimate goal is to reach the moon. Now religion or prophets or saints would be an individual, laying out a hand and pointing to the moon, guiding us to that end goal. What I come across most is that people get so infatuated with this hand - pointing to the moon - that they never even look at the moon. Yes it can be seen as a guide and as a teacher. However, guides and teachers only show us the path. They don't walk it for us. When you are comfortable, capable, and ready, you can easily look to the moon by yourself. That guide is not necessary. If you walk the path or Jesus, you do not need a Bible. Jesus didn't have a Bible to guide him. I do not understand the need for it if you are truly immersed in those ideas, beliefs, philosophies.

This is not meant to offend as I respect most religions. Everyone walks their own path. There is no right or wrong. Just thought I would share my opinion

I agree that there is rudeness in our society, but I disagree with the writer who claims that this is a result of a society of kids raised to have higher self esteem. This is a "common sense" idea that has taken hold on the right wing of American politics and which studies show is mostly incorrect-- first, it's wrong that so many kids within the last two generations were raised to have such high self esteem, and second, it's also been shown that kids whose self esteem truly is high-- in other words, kids who have been raised with respect and have been taught to respect others, truly are more rude and abusive than kids who are raised more traditionally.

Mind you, I was a teacher for a number of years and I would agree that many kids today are more rude than they were a generation or two ago-- but I disagree strongly with the suggestion that these kids have been raised the way the writer at the start of this thread suggests. Rather, these kids are usually the latchkey kids who were raised with corporal punishment and absentee parents, and the kids who were raised by more present parents, and who were hit less, if at all, and were disciplined with less of, or none of, that extreme "firmness" many conservatives bemoan the loss of, are the ones who are the most mature, the most reasonable, and the most likely to achieve success in the future.

I'd add, too, having read some of the stuff going on between Hiram and Tylersbuddy that Hiram comes off better in this debate. I'm Christian myself, but usually side with liberals much more so than with Christians on most social issues. And I'll freely admit that many, many Christians are big fat pigs who don't observe their religion or even understand it in a manner close to the way I do, but that doesn't make Tyler right to speak of all Christians the way he does; it rather shows a shoddy sort of thinking which I expect those on the left to avoid-- simple mindedness, "common sense" thinking are the hallmarks, for the most part, of those on the right; not all, but most, because the right tends to assume that all that is right and good has for the most part already been figured out and is knowable without any need for study and rethinking things-- we on the left are better and more intellectually correct most of the time because we do, or we should, in any case, continually question things society, and even we and our peers, consider correct. In this sense, Tyler errs, in my judgment, by failing to understand that while Christianity is large and contains many hundreds of millions of adherents, all of whom are a little different from each other.

Finally, though again, I see many more hypocritical and ignorant Christians who are NOT charitable to those with less, and who often fail to extend even basic decency towards others, I also know a lot of liberals and atheists who are not much different. AND, I know many, many Christians who are among the best and the most charitable people out there.

And then, too, there's also the fact that in the "world," for lack of a better way to put it, the ideas embedded within the golden rule are NOT, in my opinion, ones that are or ever have been embraced seriously, and the fact that Jesus did preach them, and preached them not in the U.S. in 2010, but rather in Roman occupied Judea-- a much harsher world than most anyone living today can even imagine experiencing-- does, in my opinion, give them a greater revelatory weight, at least for me, than such ideas would if I had merely wended my intellectual way to them on my own. And that does not, or should not, lead Tyler or anyone else to call me or anyone who has had a similar experience with morality derived from religious sources some sort of intellectual lemming-- most of the world's greatest thinking achieves its greatness not because of a single person saying it aloud or writing it, but rather because such thought has passed through the minds and hearts of many, many others, and has been stamped with the imprimatur of these countless persons' approval and adherence.

Hiram goes out of his way to quote passages to try and justify how it is acceptable for Christians to live in excess even though so many innocent children are sick and starving.

On the contrary I justified no such thing. I stated that God will bless those that bless others. Those that give to the poor, to needy to help the community around them. If you do not have resources how can you help others? If I am barley living paycheck to paycheck am I going to be more inclined to give to help others when I myself am in need of help. Probably not. Should I you bet, we are called to give sacrificially if the need arises and there are those that do just that. He rewards those that sacrifice so that they have more to give. That is not hard to understand. He also though out history taken away from those that accepted His gift and used it for their own purposes. You are right in stating there are enormous amounts of money being spent to "honor God". To me that is wrong. I do not see a reason that should be, and I personally do all that I can to combat such an atrocity. I have said this before in previous post if you read what I said. Then again even in the secular world there is enormous amounts of money being wastefully spent on selfish indulgences. It is a sad but true concept of the human condition that we love material things more that God, or the sick and needy.

Hiram considers the Bible as a rule book, and he finds ways to get around a sticky situation such as the one I proposed in the same manner that a good attorney (using this term loosely) would analyze a contract.

You are for some reason nit understanding what is being written. I consider the bible a guide to how we should live our lives. It sets the guidelines that God wants us to follow. It is more an instruction manual than a rule book. "Trust in the Lord God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. IN all ways acknowledge HIm and He will direct your path" Proverbs 3:5-6 Are there laws in it we should follow? Yes there are but the main reason they are their is to provide us with a mirror to show us that we in now way come close in our own human frailties and attempts to reach the standard God has set.

There is no need for 10 Commandments when one simply follows the Golden Rule, which is all encompassing and far more comprehensive. "Commandments" don't require a person to use their head, instead your behavior is being dictated. The Golden Rule requires you to think before you act.

Do realize that the "golden rule" is based in the commandments? Six of the ten are based on how we treat each other. The idea they do not require a person to use their head is an argument that has no support. We all choose either to or not to follow. In fact the historical origin of the"golden rules" is from God's commandments and from what Jesus called the 2nd greatest. commandment of all " Love your neighbor as you love yourself" Asstated before there is no other religious, naturalistic or scientific reason to do this other than the fact God put this law upon our hearts.

Is that the only reason for a Christian to be generous? So they can get a reward?

A Christian does what they do out of respect and appreciation of what God did for us. He is the one that sets the example of true love. He died for all the world. The true reward I will get is when I stand before His throne and I here the words "Well done good and faithful servant" That is what I look forward to just as you look forward to your reward.

When I do good, the reward is the feeling I get from having helped someone and knowing that I am appreciated,

There is not one person who does any good without a reason. That is the human condition, that is the "I" part of us. "The feeling I get" ; "knowing that I am appreciated" . We are all guilty of this and I do me all. The hard part is getting over "I" and doing just because it needs to be done. That is what God means when He said "God so loved the world"The word used for love here is "Agape" which means true unconditional love, and unconditional love for all of mankind. " But God deemonstrates His own love (Agape) toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8Are you willing to die for a car thief, a murderer, a prostitute, a rich man a poor man. I do not know if I have the strength or the faith to do sucha thing but this is what we are called to do. " This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved (Agape) you. Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one's life for his friend" John 15:45 Paul show us this "I tell the truth in Christ I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my Brethren, my countrymen according to their flesh" Romans 9:1-3 Paul was willing to give up his salvation if that is what it took to save his people. We are called to do the same.

I do not believe in God, nothing can change this, and you are tying belief in God together with the human condition. Are you saying I must not be human?

God created the human condition. In reality you are about as human as we get. It is within our nature to deny God. Even though He has revealed Himself to us in so many ways we deny that He is. "The heavens declare the glory of God:" Psalm 19; For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen" Romans 1:20 But to name a few. Isaiah said it best " Hearing you will hear and not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing and their eyes they have closed; Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn So that I should heal them" Matthew 13:14-15 you are quite human my friend.

I am more than just aware of the Golden Rule, I am a follower of it! If He is disturbed by my beliefs, then why is the Golden Rule such a positive force in my life?

You are aware of the"golden rule"because Go put it in your heart. We are created in His image. (Genesis) The "golden rule"would mean nothing if not for a conscience love, empathy none of which can be explained naturally or scientifically. We can examine the brain and see what happens when we feel these things. However we cannot explain the source of these things. Nature as no empathy, no conscience no free will. Nature just does what nature does, There is no emotion just nature. If we are indeed a product of this then we must fall under the power of nature and there is no conscience no love no free will.

The problem with Bible quotes is that, like all quotes, they are taken out of context.

Actually they are taken very carefully within context. And I am well aware of all the bible says. I am also well aware of what it means. Thank for the book suggestion I will have to check that one out.

Our debate goes nowhere

I can understand your frustration having been where you are. And in that respect at this point the debate is going nowhere. Reading the rest of you statement I see that we have gotten to the name calling and condescending part of the discusion. All I can say at this point is that I will pray for you and hope that at some point in your life you find peace. It is apparent that there is anger in your writings and that is unsettling. As my Irish grandfather would say. "May the road rise to meet your every step, may the sun shine on your face, may the wind be at your back and may God hold you gently in His hand"

Tyler-- maybe you take too much of what you read in the bible too literally. Maybe you also have too much of a need to be right and to make religion or religious people wrong. I haven't yet read all the rest of your ongoing discussion with Hiram, just the one right above where I'm typing now, but I did see you write that Hiram and I fail to "see the forest through the trees," and for what it's worth, that's the phrase I was thinking of when I was first reading your posts.

I have been booted off repetedly for being controversial, forcing me to come back with a new screen name.

You do know that is a violation of the COH and you can be banned for life of that right?

People, be nice to old people. If you're lucky, you'll be one someday.

Last time I was at the grocery store a man accidently knocked down two or three bottles of wine in front of me and a whole crowd of people. He and another guy were commenting on the situation and I couldn't help but kind of snicker a little to myself, the whole ordeal unfolding in front of me the way it did. Right when I did he looked over at me, so he turns back to the other guy in an embaressed, sarcastic way says, "Yeah, this is a really funny situation." I guess that makes me the rude one. I was just laughing at the situation though, not at him.

Sounds like the trail I walk and bike on. People biking on it think it's a superhighway just for them.

Isn't it just for them? Aren't the roads just for them?

Okay not all....but a good number of bike riders in packs wearing their Lance Armstrong shirts... why do they deem themselves so special? Single file ladies and gentlemen...especially on narrow, curvy roads. Why should motorists have to go around you into oncoming traffic?

The customer was trying to return an item for full price that they had bought on sale. They didn't get away with it and got angry.

Having worked retail for several years, I have to say that I disagree. I worked for a large national chain and while I can't speak for the company as a whole, I can say that in our store, when it was our mistake we owned up and made things right or more than right just to avoid a "meltdown". I realize that not every store is like this but i will bet that the majority is. There is nothing more frustrating than a customer trying to take you for everything they can get just because they can. I have been yelled at for things as simple as being out of an item even though I have no control over shipping and ordering. As an employee in the service industry you become a target and not a human being.

Honestly, from working at a few national chains, the more some yells, the more managers buckle and will give them whatever they want. Whether it's just to not cause a scene or not to look bad in front of other customers ... you yell, you'll get what you want 9 times out of 10.

Having worked in retail, I have to disagree. If there was a mistake made on the store's end, like for example a previous week's sale sign still up, the store honored it for the customer and then took the sign down.

If the mistake is made by the customer, then I or someone else would try to explain what happened. Usually the customer misread the sign and chose to blame it on the store to make it seem as though they hadn't made a mistake. A few sometimes took responsibility and laughed it off. Sometimes a customer would try to scam the store claiming that the sign was there when it was in a different spot, thus not covering the product.

It all depends on management. I had one manager who was very firm with customers. She also was the pricing coordinator. One customer tried to claim that she could use some coupons on an incorrect product and she flat out told her no. After she was denied, the customer said she'd never come back. She really didn't care all that much about losing that woman's business because she rarely saw her in the store.

I've also had the ones who give in to every customer who has a tantrum all in the name of good customer service. Nine of ten times times they don't spend all the much money at one store and know that if they throw a fit, they'll get their way.

Did you even READ what it said? It explained the entire situation in a very short paragraph. Part of this rudeness and outright vileness sometimes comes from people who are more interested in self than anything else, and feel thay can berate anyone to 'win'. All you have to do is read the vileness on Newsvine any day you chose. I have never seen such vile comments from people who either don't know, don't understand, or don't care about facts--just their own opinion.

And, BTW, rudeness can come at any age, not just younger people. I witnesses an 80+ year old man pushing into a line and McD's one morning, and when I said to him there was a line, not only did he berate me, but eh manager yelled at me that I should respect my elders (I am 60 years old!)

Rudeness and stress often walk hand in hand. It's no wonder in this day and age when everyone is being squeezed,polluted and ripped off on valueless items or programs that people get hostile or defensive. I can see rudeness and hostility getting much worse as the push for increased worker productivity, declining economics and growing populations degrade past lifestyles. Humility is a becoming a rare trait.

While in the Army I learn a term for the these people, no home upbringing. Mom & Dad didn't do their jobs and teach them any morals or manners.

or in simplistic terminology. As my dad would say "the yea me, F U" generation.

maybe those two stubborn clods, parked on their thrones, were brought up to be little princesses.

I had a book on Pink Floyd. They were playing a show in Europe and the stage was out in a river so the band was seperated from the audience by a strip of water. A pontoon boat with about seventy five people thought they could just park their boat in that strip of water and get a free closeup show, while blocking the audience on the lands view. They were pelted with trash and bottles until they moved. These women were breaking the rules and should have been ejected.

qwilhm...I must have lived there in better times because when I was there, it was a relief from the rude people on the east coast; I was stationed on Swan Island (lived in Beaverton) from 85-89.

I drive daily from Baltimore to DC. The commute int he morning is about 45 mins and can be as long as 2 hours home depending on the time I leave..I hate late meetings :) I admit my road etiquette has suffered a bit and I literally feel myself getting mad about 30 minutes before it is time to leave. I have taken to listening to classical music to try and keep my temper under control from all the idiot drivers out there.

Last Friday, I got my revenge, sort of. A "guy" in a red something or other, was weaving in and out of the rush hour traffic. He was doing things like riding up the shoulder, at speed, to get ahead of the rest of us stuck in the parking lot. He found a hole in front of the car that was in front of me, he punched the gap and lost control. His car went up over the curb, he was going so fast he was actually airborne for brief second, hit the fgrassy area and skidded, and then hit the metal guardrail (back end in) in the median. He gets out of his car, waving his arms, swearing and kicking at his car. The few of us on the same side were still stopped but we wouldn't have moved anyway; there was no telling where that car was going to go. No one stopped for this clown. He was obviously fine, medically at least.

Lynn, I flat out love it when people beat up their own car. And when people pass you in a hurry to only have to stop at a red light, and you slowly pull up next to them.

I posted this story a while back. SOme guy having a mid-life crisis, was driving a souped up and painted up Mustang. Every time he paswsed someone, he would look over to make sure they saw what he was driving. After he passed me, he pulled in front of me and I just happened to be about 5 car lengths behind a county police car. Mr Wonderful was so busy trying to impress the car just ahead of me to the right that he failed to notice that the light up ahead had turned red and the police car had stopped. I slowed down knowing full well what was going to happen and sure enough, Mr Wonderful ran right into the police car. I have never laughed so hard......

City you have hit it right on the head! Welcome to the age of entitlement! The new generation has evolved from the "better than we had it " way of thinking. My parents wanted better for me than they had (I am 45). Their parents wanted better for them and so on. Well how am i supposed to make life "better" for my kids? By not spanking, giving in to their whims, and seeing to it that nothing will ever bother them in any endeavor that they may have. Does that make someone a good parent? No it does not. Will people continue to coddle and pamper? Yes. I have given my children a good life, with minimal hardship, however, I have not lost sight of morals, consequences, and values as most have done while raising this generation that believes if they yell loud enough, or act out in the right ways, they will get what they want. The future my friends is bright, but that's just the flash from the explosion of the civilized world.

Rudeness can come at any age, not just younger people or the younger generation. I witnessed an 80+ year old man pushing into a line at McD's one morning, and when I said to him there was a line, not only did he berate me, but the manager yelled at me for pointing out the line to him and said that I should respect my elders (I am 60 years old!) (My wife said well, you are younger than you look!!)

Good point. It is the way you are raised, no matter what age.

Ragtop you are absolutely correct that it isnt just young people that are rude. Several years ago I was at a card shop, looking for Christmas cards. The store was extremely busy and there was only 1 cashier that was working, so the line was extremely long. I was standing in line when an older lady, not certain how old she was, but she had grey hair, glasses, but wasnt using a walker or cane, so I was unsure of her age, try to cut in line in front of me. I advised the lady where the end of the line was, and she looked at me and said "but I am old" Now the thing about respecting your elders works both ways. You will respect those that are deserving of respect. If she had asked me if i minded if she cut in line I probably would have let her, but the point is she assumed that she should be allowed to.

Here, here Stephanie! I've worked in the food and beverage industry for 16 years and you just hit the nail on the head. Obviously, there is a lack of decent customer service across all industries. However, you can't fairly study the rude behavior of service employees without also looking at how being treated as sub-human (because they work in the service industry) by customers day in and day out impacts the employees ability to do their job. Why should you expect a cashier to greet you with a friendly, "Hi, how are you today?" when most people can't be bothered to acknowledge the cashier in the first place.

I work in retail and think that some customer behavior, especially talking on cell phones while someone is checking you out, is very inconsiderate. We're not paid enough to deal with that behavior all day.

One convenience store where I lived before made the local news when they put a sign up asking customers to get off their cell phones before they paid. They did it as a courtesy to their employees and so transactions would be smoother without distractions. Most of the comments were appaulding their new policy but some were downright nasty and rude about it. I only wish more stores would have the courage to enact similiar policies. I'm sure most customers would appreciate it.

At both places I've worked, management has understandably put an emphasis on good customer service. Most of my co-workers and myself try to do our best and most customers appreciate our efforts, but there are those customers who you just can't satisify. That type seems to be those who have either have never worked a service, minimum wage job or never have had a reason to work in their lives.

I've found that people who have worked similiar positions are better customers and don't have that sense of entitlement. I know when there's a wait or line, it's not the cashier's fault and I'm very understanding. I know it's usually management wanting to keep the payroll as lean as possible and doesn't see the need to have a couple extra cashiers available or the cashier's other register trained co-workers don't feel like coming up to run a register. I've seen it occassionally at locally owned stores, but that situation is more common in large national chains.

Actually, I think there's something about cybercommunication--emails, texting, posting, etc--that seems to accentuate rudeness. Maybe the perceived anonymity of it brings out the nastiness even in the most cowardly among us. But whatever the reason, sometimes even nice people seem rude when they email...and rude people often seem even ruder!

I think it takes a lot of self control (and self awareness) when you're communicating anonymously to stay civil and diplomatic. It can be difficult, especially about very emotional topics, for even the nicest people to stay calm I reckon.

Maybe it's because you can't "hear" the tone of voice of the writer. Everything sounds so cold. Try imagining a smile and a slight laugh in the words, maybe that will work.

Thats true. Emoticons help but not everyone feels comfortable using things like xD. xD!

You're right :)

And I guess we sometimes tone our happiness down when we write too because I laughed out loud when I saw your xD but did I send you a lol? No, I only gave you a slight smile back. Sorry xD!

Heh that's okay. (=

If only many people would remember the rule my Mom always told me: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I finally remembered that one after the third time I got my mouth washed out with soap, now there's a memory!

My favorite rule of all though is the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I try to live by that one. Until I get into traffic... There's just something about rush hour that throws both my rules out the window!

GeologyRiderWandering, your mother raised a fine, funny child. may you live to be a healthy, happy, old old person.

I grew up on Cape Cod and we use to hang off the overpasses on Labor Day and wave good-bye to all the tourists. It was fun. :)

I grew up in a tourist town in Northern Minnesota--there were three classes of summer people- 1) summer residents, who came up to live in their cabins & ok to deal with --2) summer visitors - people coming up to spend a week or two at a resort & ok to deal with- 3) TOURISTS who were the rude jerks who thought everyone who lived there year-round was their servant and a ignorant hick.

I've spent most of my life in one touristy town or another --- never changes.

Emma...that reminds me of what the folks in the south said about us poor northerners, other wise known as yankees.

A yankee is someone who comes to visit. A damn yankee is one who stays :)

And you wonder why people are rude to you??? Uhhhh

Uh, Rocket....I AM a yankee...born in Philadelphia and raised in Connecticut.

That statement I quoted was what I was told by the "southerners" when I lived in New Orleans and later in Virginia.

Enma3,

I worked at a camp one summer in a tourist town in Northern Minnesota. It was great:) I also lived in a tourist town...I wonder if it is the same one you are talking about?

I guess I was always lucky, I liked the tourists, lol:))

I liked the tourists

Me too..but only after they chill out, usually takes about 4 days and lots of alcohol....

Lol:))

Yuck! But I don't think I'd say anything either lol

My cousin used to cut his finger nails and throw them behind the couch, His wife found them and put all the clippings in a nice peanut butter sandwich she prepared for him...

We have a guy at work that does that. Toe nails too.

Me either, I would be afraid one of the toenails would fly into my mouth the minute I opened it to say something! ewwww!

My cousin used to cut his finger nails and throw them behind the couch, His wife found them and put all the clippings in a nice peanut butter sandwich she prepared for him...

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fwiw, I believe the vomiter in question was sentenced to jail time.

and the vomiteer was a local police officer. Dumb criminals, justwant to make you think, hmm?

Retail is the worst, My heart goes out to all those who work customer service counters, Wouldn't it be nice to have a lever and a trap door. Just pull it and yell Next!

I have been in the automobile business for 22 yrs. You have no idea how rude people can be........nasty. However, you live by the rule the customer is always right. Try dealing with people who think you're a crook for doing your job. People think they can come in and beat up someone and not pay a profit or treat them badly just because the media says it's okay. Most of the sales people are great, just doing a job to feed the family.

kc - I spent about 10 years in the business, and after the last stretch in sales I think I despised almost on the planet as rude, lying, jerks who came onto the lots just to screw the dealer. Took me a year to decompress and start feeling like a human being again (but I will NEVER EVER sell cars for a living again.)

I think your mistaking 'rudeness' with 'righteous indignation'. People can be called down tactfully and with relative respect.

I agree but there are times that rudeness is the only thing(like I said) that will get their attention. I associate with every class of people and believe me there are those with the holy than thou attitude. I really love taking them down a couple of notches, it's good for their soul.

SHAWN-1387469, how many people think you are mean? how do you know you are not paranoid, and blaming them for this and that, when it is really you looking for a fight?

Most likely the child uses worse language than his classy mom and is twice as rude.

Yesterday, I saw four young children in the hot car (I live in Pensacola) all under the age of ten. I went in to the store and saw the only other person in there, and asked if that was her children. She stated a classy "yeah," and I told her that if she did not go out there and get them, that I was going to call children and families. I told her that it was extremely dangerous to leave them in a car with no air conditioning, not to mention child predators, or kidnappers. The women along with the cashier called my the b word and told me that I was rude. Can you believe?

I'm shocked the airline simply didn't kick her off the flight for causing a disruption. I know they've kicked off people for lesser reasons.

@Kelly-538860 - we were already in the air, she tried to put her seat back after take-off, when it was ok to do so (at least she obeyed that rule). Although, I wish that could have been an option - all of us who witnessed it would have been pleased with that outcome! Maybe the airlines should carry parachutes to eject disruptive and rude passengers mid-flight!

On TV? They usually see it at home first.

I guess I should be more wide awake while reading since that's pretty much what you said.. LOL.

Road rage is pretty bad where I live. I saw a lady throwing things at a van because he got in front of her.

I live in the DC area, perhaps the capitol of rude driving. And in DC, the term "drive defensively" takes on a whole new meaning. From my perspective, it sounds like you took too much time to make your move. In your situation, I would have put on my blinker while simultaneously stepping into the throttle--then, after instantaneously scanning all three mirrors, followed by a final "head check" of the blind spot, I'd accelerate right into that lane before any reaction by the guy in the other lane was possible.

I live in the DC area, perhaps the capitol of rude driving. And in DC, the term "drive defensively" takes on a whole new meaning.

heh he, that is so true. Just beginning to notice that myself

I have never been in an accident (knock on wood) because I have always driven with caution...but just the other day I went to Target and pulled into a spot, but needed to back out to straighten into the spot again...I slowly pulled out and stopped to put my car in drive again when a pick up truck came ZOOMING by me, honked, and stopped...which made me look and see what he was honking at...I was sure he couldn't be honking at me because he was about 10 feet away from my car and was going so fast he honked after he had passed me...so I know I wasn't close to hitting him...but apparently he thought so...which was only made apparent because he GOT OUT of his car and started screaming at me! He said a bunch of profanities but was basically saying DIDN'T YOU SEE ME!!? And was yelling as he continued to approach me...now folks I'm a 5'4 petite rosy cheeked 23-year-old woman...and this man was not the "safest" looking human being...what would ever possess him to get out his car like he was going to fight me!? I literally said "I'm not engaging in this" and pulled up my window and into my spot (with my heart pounding)...and by the time I got out of the car he was gone...

He was clearly drunk or on drugs because I wasn't even CLOSE to hitting him nor did I pull out fast! But the most disturbing part is he put his car in park in the middle of the lot and got out to get in my face! Like what were you going to do sir? I just don't understand people..especially men who feel the need to threaten women like that! I kept thinking what would I have done if he smashed in my window...or waited for me to get out of the car? For the first time in my life I was SCARED of what some over-dramatic stranger was going to do to me in broad daylight. Over a parking lot incident? Ridiculous!

Try driving on Wisconsin and Minnesota roads in the summer when the FIBs show up. (Last two initials stand for Illinois and Bastard, you can figure out what the F means). They drive 90 miles an hour on a 55 road, and you'd best get out of their way. If you don't, they will pass you (regardless of oncoming traffic), then cut in front of you and hit their brakes.

Ah the joys of DC and the Balt-Wash parkway. Yield, stop and signal are all foreign terms. Yield means speed up to beat the car in front of you; stop means just turn your head to make sure you aren't going to hit anything before continuing on...no one even slows down. Signals, those were extra equipment the person couldn't afford to add when they bought the car.

Safe driving distance is 6 inches and a safe lane change is tailgate, pull hard to whichever side, give person you are passing a dirty look as you pull back in front close enough to shake hands with the driver to whom you just gave a heart attack. Accelerate and move on to the next victim.

Oh, and No Turn on Red signs...the city really doesn't mean it.

@Lynn3765 - same rules apply in Boston!