Are Americans Ruder Than They Used To Be?
SodaHead Living
2012/03/18 23:41:47
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The magic words ("please," "thank you," and "you’re welcome") may be going out of fashion. But does that necessarily mean that Americans are getting ruder?
These days, it has become increasingly common to hear phrases like “sure,” “no problem,” “you bet,” and “enjoy” replace the traditional “you’re welcome.” In place of “thank you” people now say “got it,” “have a good one,” or sometimes nothing at all. “I’m good” has taken over the domain of the more formal “no, thank you.”
A recent NPR story examined this trend and posed some interesting questions: “Are we just finding new ways to say old, polite phrases? Are good manners merely morphing? Or are they fading away altogether?”
Lisa Gache, co-founder of Beverly Hills Manners, is troubled by this shift in American colloquialisms. "The slow erosion of the 'magic words' in our everyday vernacular has to do with the predilection toward all things casual in our society today. Casual conversation, casual dress, and casual behavior have hijacked practically all areas of life, and I do not think it is doing anyone a service," she said.
However, Cindy Post Senning, granddaughter of etiquette maven Emily Post and a director of the Emily Post Institute, believes that the principles of respect, consideration, and honesty are more important than the actual words used.
“It is respectful to make requests rather than demands, to show gratitude and appreciation, to greet others, to give our complete attention, to acknowledge appreciation shown, to acknowledge and show respect for age, standing, importance," she said.
Yet, she went on to explain that manners evolve over time and vary from culture to culture. In some cases, it may even be impolite to use outdated phrases. Senning explained, "Today it would sound a little stilted and perhaps even disrespectful if a sarcastic tone is used to say 'How do you do?'"
Words and phrases certainly aren’t the only elements of polite behavior. However, the shift away from traditional manners may be indicative of a larger trend. In 2011, a Rasmussen Reports poll revealed that 76% of respondents believed that Americans were “becoming more rude and less civil.” (Don’t even get us started on cell phone etiquette!)
What do you think SodaHeads? Are Americans ruder than they used to be?
These days, it has become increasingly common to hear phrases like “sure,” “no problem,” “you bet,” and “enjoy” replace the traditional “you’re welcome.” In place of “thank you” people now say “got it,” “have a good one,” or sometimes nothing at all. “I’m good” has taken over the domain of the more formal “no, thank you.”
A recent NPR story examined this trend and posed some interesting questions: “Are we just finding new ways to say old, polite phrases? Are good manners merely morphing? Or are they fading away altogether?”
Lisa Gache, co-founder of Beverly Hills Manners, is troubled by this shift in American colloquialisms. "The slow erosion of the 'magic words' in our everyday vernacular has to do with the predilection toward all things casual in our society today. Casual conversation, casual dress, and casual behavior have hijacked practically all areas of life, and I do not think it is doing anyone a service," she said.
However, Cindy Post Senning, granddaughter of etiquette maven Emily Post and a director of the Emily Post Institute, believes that the principles of respect, consideration, and honesty are more important than the actual words used.
“It is respectful to make requests rather than demands, to show gratitude and appreciation, to greet others, to give our complete attention, to acknowledge appreciation shown, to acknowledge and show respect for age, standing, importance," she said.
Yet, she went on to explain that manners evolve over time and vary from culture to culture. In some cases, it may even be impolite to use outdated phrases. Senning explained, "Today it would sound a little stilted and perhaps even disrespectful if a sarcastic tone is used to say 'How do you do?'"
Words and phrases certainly aren’t the only elements of polite behavior. However, the shift away from traditional manners may be indicative of a larger trend. In 2011, a Rasmussen Reports poll revealed that 76% of respondents believed that Americans were “becoming more rude and less civil.” (Don’t even get us started on cell phone etiquette!)
What do you think SodaHeads? Are Americans ruder than they used to be?
Read More: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/09/148295675/please-rea...
Top Opinion
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Pixie·MzAwesome♠ƤĦĂĔŢ♠ 2012/03/18 23:55:11No
+10I don't know, I teach my daughter to say please and thank you and have had many people tell me what a polite young girl she is.
A general social change if you will.
It seems people are more projecting that they need not "Thank" others, for things the feel should simply be.
I was raised, and I raised my kids on "Please, May-I, and Thank you". But my two oldest do not use those words near as often as I did at their ages.
Just in the 9-11 years of age difference between myself and most my classmates, there is a profound difference in behavior. Many of them are snotty, disrespectful of themselves and others, believe that they shouldn't have to work for anything, and generally could care less about others around them. While there will always be exceptions to the rule and parents that care enough about preparing their children for how to live as adults, for the most part the growing trend is that parents generally are investing less in their children's lives and doing less to teach them these important character traits.
Words meaning are givien by the receiver of listener, not the originator of that words.
Ther are more humans than before; hence more variety to express the same feelings.
I agree that the media and Hollywood can contribute to rudeness along with a couple of generations of parents who didn't bother teaching their children to be polite and also how to survive well in the world. Put the onus where it belongs on parents!!! Stop blaming everyone else! Some of Hollywood clearly does its share with violent movies. There is not need for this and we need to put pressure on Hollywood when they make unnecessarily violent films to just make money. People have become accustomed to high level action films full of violence. I remember seeing a wondeful movie that told a beautiful storywith go...
I agree that the media and Hollywood can contribute to rudeness along with a couple of generations of parents who didn't bother teaching their children to be polite and also how to survive well in the world. Put the onus where it belongs on parents!!! Stop blaming everyone else! Some of Hollywood clearly does its share with violent movies. There is not need for this and we need to put pressure on Hollywood when they make unnecessarily violent films to just make money. People have become accustomed to high level action films full of violence. I remember seeing a wondeful movie that told a beautiful storywith good life lessons and shared that with another person. her response was I saw it, but it was boring because it was not high level action! Not very mature! even worse what will she teach her children about values and politeness and many things that make us grow as individuals?
STARCHILD, yopu need to get it together for your sake first and then for others. You need to take your own inventory, before you critiize a man that believes in equality for all and puts his life in the balance for Americans. Why don;t you use your starpowers to brighten the world instead of trying to smear good people. Take a deep look inside yourself!!!