Punctuation cop turns ire on bad manners

Yahoo News/Reuters ^ | 11/10/2005 | Daniel Trotta

[Mike Bates]

Bad manners? Dismal customer service? Vulgar epithets?

Gee, I hadn't noticed.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[martin_fierro]

[evets]

I always say "thank you", but no one says "you're welcome".
The new response is "no problem". (Is that only in Texas?) Que nada.

[KJC1]

I agree with "please" and "thank you" becoming less and less prevalent.

I seem to hear a lot of "I want", "Give me this/that", etc. Saying please and thank you is so easy, and not saying it is lazy and thoughtless.

[martin_fierro]

The New York Times called it "a thin and crabby diatribe" in a book review, adding, "The author may have been good for only one book-length conniption."

This from the employers of Maureen Dowd.

[w_over_w]

We recently traveled to Richmond, VA to help our daughter get situated with starting college. My wife and I were awestruck with the politeness, hospitality and warmth of the Virginia folks.

Was this an anomaly, or do we just need to get away from "rat race" from time to time.

[Gabz]

I was involved in a conversation just last night about manners, actually the lack of, in so many people anymore.

One older gentlemen was particularly concerned about the noticeable lack of them in children and being the mother of a 7 year old, I had no choice but to agree with him. My child is no angel, but we have tried to instill in her at least some semblance of manners, and while she is pretty good about it, she does have her lapses.

[Gabz]

Having lived in Virginia for less than 3 years I have to say the vast majority of folks are polite, hospitable, and warm and welcoming.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Having lived in KY, I learned that "please" has two meanings. The traditional meaning, when asking for something.

And the second meaning which translates into "Pardon?" or... "Could you please repeat?"

[talleyman]

There's still some Southern Hospitality left, but it's fading fast. Glad you got to experience it before it's gone...

[Mike Bates]

I've noticed cashiers opting for "There you go" when giving change. Reminds me of McCloud, not to date myself.

[Mike Bates]

Was this an anomaly, or do we just need to get away from "rat race" from time to time.

Yes and yes.

[Mike Bates]

Small children have an excuse. Adults don't. Good for you for working with your child on this.

[glennaro]

Many people think that good manners are inherent -- that children are inherently polite, when in fact it is the opposite that is clearly and demonstrably the case: Children (and many adults) need to be taught good manners.

[w_over_w]

I've noticed cashiers opting for "There you go" when giving change.

Our local grocery store chains are fiercely competitive for loyal shoppers. Consequently any opportunity for the cashiers to properly "count out" your change return is performed. Talk about refreshing!

[LIConFem]

Manners are a thing of the past. I ride the Long Island Rail Road to and from work. The language that people use, even in the presence of children, is disgusting. Grown men, whether in business attire or fresh from a construction site gather in groups, get buzzed on beer and use language -- sometimes at the top of their lungs -- that would make the Devil himself blush.

Rudeness is the new Manners.

[T Minus Four]

I always say "thank you", but no one says "you're welcome". The new response is "no problem". (Is that only in Texas?)

Yes. Everywhere else it's, "Whatever".

[RJL]

The New York Times called it "a thin and crabby diatribe" in a book review

She must trying to take Maureen Dowd's job of writing a "a thin and crabby diatribe" a couple times a week.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

My children spent many months in their uncle's home. He taught them dubious table manners. His heart was in the right place, but it truly can be said that he did them a disservice. Now I'm trying to retrain them. THIS is harder than starting from scratch.

[Gondring]

ping