It's not ok

I've been thinking about manners and courtesy this week after seeing a few situations in which neither were displayed. Instead, the people I refer to were ill-mannered and discourteous and I was left wondering when that sort of behaviour became acceptable. I say, acceptable, as on the occasions I refer to the individual's behaviour was tolerated when it should not have been; I see that more and more these days.

I'm not sure if people are so entitled they feel it's unnecessary to be polite, courteous and well-mannered or if they are simply too wrapped up in their own affairs to recognise when manners and courtesy are required. Possibly also, people aren't taught good manners, respect, courtesy and politness by their parents and don't understand that it's a thing. I wonder even, do people see it as a weakness?

I don't know the answer however know that arrogance, ego and hubris are more likely to be the traits we run into than humility, courtesy, respect and manners. I speak generally here.

Not too long ago I took a man to task for being rude to the checkout operator at the supermarket. He was rude, obnoxious, ill-mannered and disrespectful. I could tell the young girl felt bad about it but could do nothing so I, the next person in line, interjected and told the fellow that he was being rude and that the operator didn't deserve it and told him to apologise. He didn't take it well.

I gave him a look I which disuaded him from his next course of action which was teeing off at me, and gestured at the checkout girl and said, apologise. He did, but not very sincerely, and stormed out with his items after paying. They girl thanked me and that was that.

I thought of that situation in the last few days and wondered why people put up with discourtesy or ill-mannered and disrespectful people. Are they afraid of speaking up and what might happen if they do? I guess probably, and that's possibly why manners, courtesy, respect, politeness and chivlalry are dying out. It's not ok...and as these good personality traits decline and degenerate, so does our society. I don't know what's to blame, where it started and what may come in the future but the decline of these most basic of human traits speaks poorly of humanity as a whole, for doing it and accepting it.

Have you come across this sort of behaviour yourself and, if so, how have you dealt with it, (if you dealt with it at all?) If you have children, what are you doing to instill manners and courtesy in them so that they may treat others with respect or have you called out another person and told them their behaviour is not ok.