Lack of Manners: Why Politeness is a Dying Art

The Death of Manners: A Modern-Day Tragedy

Remember when holding a door open or saying "thank you" was standard behaviour? No? Me neither. Because, as it turns out, we seem to be living in a society where common courtesy has become anything but common. Manners, once the invisible glue holding civil society together, have all but evaporated, leaving a sticky residue of bad habits and rudeness behind. Let’s dissect this societal corpse and figure out how the fuck we got here.

What Are Manners, Anyway?

For those who’ve conveniently forgotten, manners are the small, everyday behaviours that show respect and consideration for others. Think of them as the social equivalent of putting on deodorant: you might not think it’s necessary, but everyone around you is acutely aware when you don’t. From saying “please” and “thank you” to waiting your turn in line, these seemingly small gestures are the bedrock of human interaction. Without them, chaos (or at least eye-roll-worthy awkwardness) ensues. And yet, you muppets keep acting like saying “thank you” will kill you.

Bad Manners and Their Modern Mascots

Examples of bad manners are as plentiful as TikTok trends. Here are a few of today’s standout offenders:

• Queue-Cutters

  These brazen wankers think queues are for mere mortals. They’ll stroll past 20 people at a coffee shop, pretending not to notice the glares boring holes into their backs.

• Loud Conversationalists

  The ones who treat public spaces like their personal podcast studios. Who needs a subscription when you can hear Kevin discuss his crypto investments on speakerphone? Twat.

• Ghosters

  Ghosting is the art of ignoring someone until they get the message – a masterpiece in modern bad manners. Why communicate when you can vanish, you spineless arsehole?

Each of these behaviours signals a lack of respect for others, a disturbing trend that grows more common by the day.

Generational Offenders: Let’s Spread the Blame

Millennials have been labelled as the poster children of declining manners. But let’s not kid ourselves – every generation brings its own flavour of fuckery to the table:

• Baby Boomers

  The kings and queens of unsolicited advice. They’ll tell you how to live your life while forgetting to hold the door behind them. Oh, and let’s not forget their tendency to loudly grumble about “what’s wrong with kids these days” as they block the entire supermarket aisle.

• Generation X

  Masters of passive-aggression. Whether it’s leaving vague Post-It notes or muttering “whatever” in meetings, Gen X perfected the art of rudeness disguised as indifference. And don’t even get me started on their love for “just being honest” at the worst possible moments.

• Millennials

  Sure, they’ve normalised emojis in professional emails and ghosting as a breakup tactic, but they’re also the first to cancel plans via text five minutes before arriving. Politeness? More like “sorry, I can’t; I’m feeling overwhelmed today.”

• Generation Z

  TikTok’s finest. They’ll film themselves dancing in public spaces with zero regard for anyone else, and their overuse of slang might just make your ears bleed. Yet, somehow, they’re offended if you don’t immediately “get” their memes. Grow up.

The Real Culprits: Convenience, Technology, and Ego

So, who or what’s really to blame for the death of manners? Let’s delve deeper:

1. Technology Overload

   Technology hasn’t just made us lazy; it’s fundamentally rewired how we prioritise interactions. Notifications and apps encourage self-absorption, as algorithms reward attention-grabbing behaviour over genuine connection. It’s not just that we’re glued to our phones; it’s that we’ve begun to prioritise digital validation over real-world interactions. Think about it – why hold a door when your hand is occupied curating the perfect Instagram story? Politeness is incompatible with the dopamine rush of likes anmad shares.

2. Convenience Culture

   Convenience has turned basic social graces into inconveniences. Same-day delivery, instant messaging, and “just-in-time” solutions have eroded patience to the point where any delay feels like an affront. When you’re used to fulfilling every need at the tap of a button, why waste time acknowledging the person bagging your groceries or the driver merging into your lane? Convenience has trained us to see others as obstacles in our race for efficiency.

3. Ego Inflation

   Social media has amplified narcissism to staggering heights. The need to curate a “personal brand” has turned everyone into the protagonist of their own story – and in these stories, politeness is often edited out as a superfluous detail. Why bother with “please” or “thank you” when the world revolves around you? In this Truman Show-esque reality, every interaction becomes a means to an end, whether it’s content creation or self-promotion. And don’t even get me started on influencer culture – where basic decency is often sacrificed for the sake of “relatability.”

4. The Death of Shared Norms

   With the world becoming increasingly individualistic and diverse, shared social norms are crumbling. What one person views as polite, another might see as intrusive or unnecessary. This cultural fragmentation, while valuable in fostering inclusivity, has also led to widespread confusion about what constitutes good manners. Without universal standards, politeness becomes subjective, and misunderstandings – or outright neglect – thrive.

Conclusion: Resurrecting Humanity, One “Thank You” at a Time

Politeness isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a bridge between people. Yet, it’s crumbling under the weight of technological distractions, convenience-driven impatience, and self-absorption. To reverse this decline, we need to embrace intentional acts of kindness. Hold the door, acknowledge a stranger, and try – just try – to be a little less of a dick. Manners may be dying, but they don’t have to go extinct. The choice is ours.

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