Are parents not even expected to teach manners anymore? Teachers have to do that too? Public schools already provide all books and supplies, free breakfast and lunch, after school baby-sitting, clinics and psychologists, in addition to what we try to teach them in math, science, language, etc. ... and of course, we are expected to “make it fun” all the time. A party every day. Learning so fun it’s better than the iPhones they all have under their desks... now we’re suppose to teach them manners too? Well, I have tried, but if their mom’s stream of boyfriends is only teaching them where to find the nastiest rap and hip-hop songs and how to download porn, wish me luck.
My husband once made all the guys on his wrestling team put away their cell phones while eating at a restaurant on their way home from a tournament. They were speechless. He told them it’s rude to be on your phone when you are at the table with other people. Ignore your phone and talk to the people whom you are eating. A few, very few, admitted their parents had the same rules-less than 5% of the guys.
Bad manners is really just a reflection of how you value others. Self centered people do not care how their actions and words affect others. Good manners show that you place other people ahead of yourself by treating them respectfully and making sure that your words and actions do not offend others.
Our society is getting more and more narcissistic and the bad manners reflect that change.
I used to wish I had money to splurge on clothes or furniture, now I dream of materials for my kids from The Etiquette Factory. Manners matter.
I was told, by someone who has children in a semi-rural high school, that the school provides class time day care for the infants of the students. I was stunned. In my mind, this sends the message to the students that it's acceptable to get pregnant while in high school.
I agree with most of the posters, manners should be taught by parents. Society also needs to bring back the concept of shame, certain behaviors are not acceptable.