Are we living in the 21st century?

The problem: Why some people have naturally less etiquette than other people?

Etiquette - The practices and forms prescribed by social convention or by authority.
- Rules governing socially acceptable behavior

Manners - The socially correct way of acting and behaving


From the definitions mentioned above, it is clear for any who actually reads this blog why etiquette and manners are important in the society that we live in today.

I mean, have you ever been in the situation where person A and/or B and/or C would just piss you off? Is the reason just because they don’t have the proper etiquette and manners in order to function in our society? For example; saying things that are rude or acting in such an offlandish behaviour that just turns you off. Then you turn around and ask “What is wrong with him/her?”

For many people this can happen in many ways:

Scenario 1: A casual friend you met while you were walking down a street that saw you, but even while you were waving like a mad person at him/her, that casual friend just walks right on.

Scenario 2: This aunty in the supermarket just pushes you hard and walks by without saying sorry.

Scenario 3: You and a close friend/girlfriend/boyfriend is celebrating your birthdays together because the dates are so close. You both are throwing a birthday party and cordially invited your close friend/girlfriend/boyfriend’s good friends along. Therefore, as a birthday gift, your close friend/girlfriend/boyfriend’s good friends decided to spend your close friend/girlfriend/boyfriend dinner. They decided it was okay for you to join them. But they ended up only paying for your close friend/girlfriend/boyfriend, even though it was the both of you who had invited these ‘good friends’ along to your official birthday celebration. Why had they not paid for you as well?

Scenario 4: A dinner gathering with another friend of yours. You are not cordially invited to this dinner among a circle of friends (but you still know them quite well), but since you were already supposed to have dinner with that friend of yours, he/she decides to invite you along. Only to have the circle of friends whom you are supposed to know quite well, tell your friend that you’re not invited.

Scenario 5: A driver cuts into your lane, nearly causing an accident and not waving his/her hand to apologize, even though you patiently waited for one.

Scenario 6: A good friend of yours, always makes you wait. Always. For one or even two hours. Even though you’ve made it very clearly to meet your group of friends at the venue at 8pm.

The list is endless. The reason is, why? Why does this happen in this very day, in the 21st century? Aren’t people already well versed in the ‘socially acceptable’ way to act, behave and even treat other people? Have they forgotten that even a small gesture of apology, acknowledgement or downright clear and decent manners really do brighten up a person’s day?

Is it because our society, although becoming more civic conscious has delved deeper into the mannerisms of the dark ages? Is it also, because they grew up in a family and circle of friends where they were taught to be brats and think their needs, their time and their wants are more important than other people's? Is it also because they did not observe on the proper way to act? But isn’t it obvious to notice the difference of being rude and having proper manners? Will it hurt, if they were to act more polite and with consideration of other people’s feelings to put their wants and needs second? Will they make it in the society in the future? Can the people around them tolerate such manner of behaviours for long?

I guess the answer remains with these people. In our society, even a indication of manners, or courtesy or even the simplest form of etiquette makes a world of difference to people around them. Just saying thank you, you’re welcome, I’m sorry, yes you’re invited too, don’t worry about it and no problem makes the person that is said to, so much happier. It doesn’t hurt to be nice once in a while. It doesn’t hurt to be kind and thoughtful, even considerate once in a while. I just hope that these ‘lost’ people find their way through life.