Is it Me?

[Hen-Gen]

I used to think it was one of those banal cliches pedalled by little Englanders. But though obviously not universally true does anyone else think that we have a higher regard for courtesy and good manners than most other “white nations” ? I exclude Canadians and New Zealander’s from that generalisation ?.
(And myself, of course).

 

[rick]

I sense a recent bad experience Hen-Gen!? No - but - yes - in a way that I can only relate through a fondness of Japan in that there seems to be a thing with island cultures and a particular culture of politeness - maybe because of limited space and an elevated status (whoa! careful!) by being that prehistoric Avalon beyond the sunrise/sunset and the waves???
but then, what is 'polite' is a cultural perception. There are idiots from everywhere!

 

[Shadrach]

Yes unfortunately. It has allowed particular groups of people treat others with complete disregard as long as everyone is jolly nice about it. :roll:
I hate it. One of the refreshing things about where I live (Catalonia) is while not exactly rude, the people are refreshingly direct.

 

[bigyetiman]

I think in part people are more impatient now and in a hurry, and give scant regard in some cases to other people around them. I drive buses in an area which has had a huge influx of Eastern Europeans, and they don't seem to understand the queuing system which leads to problems at times. The Polish do and are generally polite. But equally some English people are damn rude also. The worst offences are not letting people off the bus before they pile on, and my pet hate, talking on the phone and just putting money down (I am not Psychic) and getting annoyed when I ask them to talk to me not the phone.

Our elderly neighbour wanted to see the stage show Only Fools and Horses at the Haymarket in London. So OH went with her on Wednesday, elderly person with dodgy hip and the underground was a bit tricky as she found, so it was taxi back to station. But some people behind just kept talking through the show, so everyone around was having to keep telling them to be quiet. They were old enough to know better, they were also the noisy sweet rustlers also

 

[Marigold]

Oh god, yes, one of my chief hates is when people come in to the cinema at the last minute loaded with huge bags of smelly popcorn and a tankful of Coke and slurp and crunch their way all through the first hour or so of the film. The worst occasion was when we went to see Schindlers List and there were all those starving people and the little girl in the red coat going to concentration camps whilst my neighbours were noisily stuffing themselves.
Another one is sitting next to someone at a concert who hums the tune under his breath (it's always a man) and/or has the score on his lap and keeps turning the pages. The sort of person who makes a show of himself by getting up out of his seat, making an exhibition of himself by clapping and cheering really loudly for a very long time, when all the orchestra wants is to get off home.
When I was at school the two worst crimes when in uniform were to be seen eating in the street (I still get a thrill out of having an ice cream in public) or failing to give up one's seat in a bus or train, irrespective of whether the adult wanted it!

 

[Margaid]

My school 6th Form Society used to make evening visits to the theatre (no school uniform required!) On one such visit to see Twelfth Night we were "treated" to a very irritating running commentary on the play by the man sat behind me. Just as they were ringing the last bell for the end of the first interval I took my courage in both hands, turned round and politely told him that my friends and I would like to spend the rest of the play listening to the actors and not his commentary. He was so surprised he shut up for the rest of the performance- which I must admit rather surprised me!

 

[Hen-Gen]

Went to the cinema in Chesterfield with a work mate. The person in front of me was noisily eating a jumbo bag of crisps. I stood it for a couple of minutes then turned to my mate, sotto voice,, and said “I wish I’d brought a clump of celery.” Slightly disconcerted though when the couple behind me burst out laughing. Not quite as quiet as I thought.

 

[bigyetiman]

Like that one Hen-Gen.
Hate it when people talk through the overture at a theatre as though no one else wants to listen to it. We were at La Boheme and some cretin behind us said " of course once you have seen Pavarotti sing it, it is hardly worth coming to see anyone else" To which I replied "so you are just here to annoy the rest of us then" That got a few sniggers from around us, and a "well really" from person concerned but they were thankfully silent from that point onwards
Those were the days when in school uniform and you had to be polite to all and sundry, or else they would report you to the school