Whatever Happened to Common Courtesy?
I firmly believe in backstabbing people as often as you can, but in being kind and polite during actual interactions. And yet I find that a lot of annoyingly insensitive types don't buy into that way of life. They do the backstabbing thing all the time, even to your face!
And so we have to deal on a daily basis with these irritatingly rude traits from knuckleheads and cretins:
*Not acknowledging an email with a simple "Got it!" It takes two seconds! Acknowledge, bitch!
*Business people writing emails without starting, "Hi, [name]." It's so cold and impersonal. Only the very best of friends can get away with that kind of thing.
*Thuggish security people who bark orders ("What's your name? Show me ID") rather than be a tiny bit civil about it. We're all in this together, folks. A soupcon of charm would make things so much more palatable, fuckers.
*People who text all through dinner. Even if they're texting ME across the table, I really don't care for it.
*And people who loudly talk through movies, regardless of whose $12 experience they're destroying. Though I did like the young lady who, in the middle of Paranormal Activity, screeched, "She air-fucking him!"
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You boring, washed up, has - never - been, twink.
Just push harder. Those innards are about to unplug any day now. Then, just flush!
Irritants walking three or four abreast on the sidewalk. There are other people in the world, jackasses.
Yukkies spitting in public. Keep it indoors, slugs.
Attention-junkies who deliberately hold up lines in stores for their won 15 Minutes - when they know damn well people are impatiently waiting behind them. Grow up, fool!
Enough!
People who stand in the aisle at the theater and block you from getting to your seat.
People who eat during Broadway shows (even if it's allowed, it's gross).
People who bump into you while barreling down the street on their cells.
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 5 2009 @ 1:45PMIt's over. Common courtesy is a thing of the past--at least here in New York. In addition to those items mentioned above I add these: blowing one's nose over trash cans, public urination, holding doors for people who do not say "thank you", bikers who cut you off, drivers who lean on horns, etc.
I am particularly fond of Michael's texting comment. It is now evidently perfectly acceptable at restaurants to have your phone/blackberry/iphone out and on the table to consult at any given time--whether your partner is speaking, the waitperson is taking your order, or whenever your inability to be out of touch becomes too great. Some folks just can't be without a phone clasped to their ear. Ever been behind one at the grocery store who can't hang up long enough to complete there transaction and then hold everyone up while they try to balance the phone as they hunt for change and carry on two conversations? I'd like to bat the phone out of their hands and yell "Focus! Can you please put the damn phone away for one second you self-serving fuck."
Common courtesy? We should just remove this obviously outdated adage from the lexicon!
RE Computers
A-HOLES WHO DON'T DELETE THE 200 ADDRESSES OF PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS WHEN FORWARDING AN EMAIL.
You're starting to sound like a Kander & Ebb song: "Whatever happened to class?"
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 5 2009 @ 2:24PMWhen I'm confronted with some ass on a phone that's holding up a line I just lean in close and say "Honey, who are you talking to?"
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 5 2009 @ 3:19PMCommon courtesy disappeared ever since two events took place: 1.) the police-state eliminated the hookers from Times Square and 2.) suburban children were forced to go trick-or-treating in daylight hours.
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 5 2009 @ 3:34PMCellphones are definitely THE cause
of most irritatingly rude annoyances.
But they cause brain cancer, so ...
evolution will prevail eventually.
Evolution could also be the cause
of some situational rudeness.
Like when you hold a door open for a hot babe,
but often let it slam in the face of an ugly broad.
Basic human biology is to blame for that.
Retail store owners who never greet you because they are at their desks glued to their laptops. Hey, we're in a depression. A customer is a customer. How about greeting him or her and engaging in some conversation? Do you want to move the merchandise or browse the internet? Dickheads!!!!
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 5 2009 @ 5:23PMOr another great Kander & Ebb that pre-dated "Whatever happened to class..."
From "70 Girls 70" (1971)
"The trouble with the world today, it seems to me,
Is coffee in a cardboard cup...."
Great vaudeville song sung by Lillian Hayman & Goldye Shaw.
Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 5 2009 @ 9:13PMInviting guests over and treating them like crap by arguing with them right off the bat and criticizing their nation's government, committing ridiculous gaffes about their career, knowingly exposing them to your flu germs and repeatedly talking over them. Sorry Sir Ian, the "ladies" on The View can not see beyond the ends of their own beaks.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 2:43AMspitting in the street is essential due to all the crap in the air, but aim for all dogs and their owners who freak out and shield their dogs from your spit, never mind that their filthy animals are busy shitting and pissing all day ont he same street! Dog owners should all be eliminated from this planet by a mysterious virus and let the Koreans cook and eat their dogs!
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 8:26AMAnd did you read the item in last week's New Yorker about the cell phone users who didn't see the clown in front of them? How about getting naked in Washington Square Park and waiting for somebody to notice. Do it on a warm day, though, since it could be hours before you get arrested!
Many years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, some stupid girl from out of town just about killed me, racing to get a seat at the Wall Street subway station. At least, 20 years ago, she had the good manners to blush when she noticed I was 8 months pregnant. Now they don't even look at you because they're texting...
I guess rudeness comes with the territory.
But it really doesn't have to be that way.
Like my Dad always said, "It's hooray for me, and the hell for you".
No one gives an elderly man or woman a seat on the subway, even if its designated.
It's a sad state we live in.
BTW, I won't ever stop giving Mega hairy muscle hugs to all my buds when I see them.
It's just the right thing to do.
I have become so intolerant of people texting or on their cellphones. I still retain my manners by saying excuse me but I'll add bitch just to see if they're paying attention. Most of the time they aren't. I am always polite to anyone behind a counter, even if I have to get all haughty and use it as an example they should follow.
I now have the attitude that if they're on a cell phone or texting, they have nullified whatever else they are doing. Therefore that parking space is mine, nove over and get in line when you're actually ready, or just plain get out of my way so I can finish whatever I'm doing. The only good thing about getting older is that you can get away with this kind of shit.
Years ago, an overdressed young JAP, plopped several packaged down on the counter of the Armonk NY post office while continuing the cellphone call that had been taking place during her long wait. The clerk stood there silently while she talked on. She looked at him and continued her conversation while he remained silent and continued to wait. A bit later she interrupted her conversation to inquire what he was waiting for to which he replied: "When I have your complete attention, you can have mine." He was an odious little man who retired soon after but he was my hero.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 1:24PMWaiting in Line--What a great story. I love your post office worker! I may have to use that line in the future if the situation arises.
And glad to know there are others who are bothered by this behavior.
Cheers.
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 3:29PMThe post office example is too kind. This kind of crap happens all the time. The clerk should have just ignored her and asked for the next person in line. All services of this kind should display signs saying "Kindly refrain from using your cell phone while completing your transaction." Or, just "Leave your damn phone off until you leave." This twit was going on at the bank the other day, and it just unsettles everyone from the tellers to the other customers. GET OFF THE PHONE!
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 3:47PMIn the old days, if you misbehaved in public, then you were shunned from society. And rightfully so! Now, if you dare to call someone out for their bad behaviour, they have the nerve to get mad at you!
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 4:15PMessentially when someone is clutching their cell/PDA/whatevermagig and using it to mediate all real goddamn life thru ...well then they are definitely sending the message that THEIR p.o.v. and experience is MORE important than anyone else's. it's all about having inferior social skills so thus having to use your tech as a constant intake unit [via voice and image and sound] and life accessory so you can drown out the world and make your OWN experience seem bigger.
my own favorite tactic against such rudeness is this:
when someone has their phonecamera out and is arrogantly or even subversively videotaping or snapping pics nonstop [and without so much as asking anyone's permission!] and esp too close to my personal space i like to grab it by the edge and fling it or somehow jar them and force them to drop it and then exclaim "oh! i thought it was falling! sorry! ' or even " I had no idea you had that thing on!' in a manner that makes it clear to all present that they were rude to even have it on at all.
nothing makes me happier than the sound of someone's precious cellphone hitting the concrete.
or skidding far away into dirty corner so they have to scramble meekly after it....ooooops! so sorreeeee!
maybe ya should have kept it safe if it meant so much!
practice this often...it is gratifying.....
Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 @ 8:14PMthe cell phone shitheads are not dying from brain cancer FAST ENOUGH =-= maybe the Finnish scum at Nokia can cook up a cell phone that would kill them quicker -- let's start an email campaign!
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 7 2009 @ 1:08PMVillage Voice should leave the dinosaur age (they did exist!) of publishing and join Facebook. Hardly no-one has time to visit your website and I rarely read your paper since the Richard Goldstein days. Join Social Networking Facebook (and Twitter if you must) as most of my gay friends have virtually eliminated e-mails due to SPAM and the extra time involved. Do you get that part of the technological revolution?
Posted On: Monday, Nov. 9 2009 @ 9:49AMoh please your own damn self......dont assume everyone here are luddites...most of us have several fbk accounts!
[and is social networking now a GAY thing?]
and no i must NOT twitter and happily ignore most who do...
clearly YOu had the time to drop in !
and that dinosaur age o publishing ??? it BEGAT all your $uper-$hiny current tech so have some goddamn respect for people who could read and type before you could potty solo.
jeez i hope someone drop-kicks your blackberry sometime soon...
Posted On: Monday, Nov. 9 2009 @ 9:17PM
