Manners, culture, etc?

Question

I'm curious why our culture's manners have... changed so much. I may be overly sensitive... or maybe I'm onto something. It makes me a lil sick to see someone l**k their fingers loudly, and even worse - to have friends f**t and burp and... laugh at themselves and each other. I can't do it, I don't find that funny at all.

I was born in... Russia, but lived in the US most of my life now, since I was 11. I feel I'm more Americanized now, but this is one part of this culture I can't adapt to, and I'm not sure I even want to try.

I'm wondering... if burpin' and fartin' should still be considered bad manners, or should we just... go with the flow. Or... does it have to do with a person's class and upbringing?

If so... how does a person who finds themselves among people with different standards for manners supposed to act? Thanks

Answer 1

Sadly, good manners are becoming a thing of the past.  I was raised with a "please" and "thank you" mentality.  Sorry, you can only f**t and burp when with your significant other.  Guess you will have to accept bad behavior if you wish to keep associating with these neanderthals.

Answer 2

It's sad to see the deterioration of manners, etiquette, and any sort of formality and ceremony.

It began to deteriorate in the 1960's with the "free love," the "ME" generation, and such like that.  It was all concerned with ME and literally DISMISSED us from considering anyone other than... ME.  

Manners and etiquette was labeled as old, stodgy, pretentious, "classist," etc... and they viewed it better to be "true" to yourself then false with others. Oh, and honesty was always the best policy.

yeahrightsure.

Sadly, people forgot what manners and etiquette truly are... they are the rules, standards, and "means" by which humans interact SMOOTHLY within a society/culture.  It is one step below laws, regulations, and ordinances.  Humans are social creatures, but there are aways conflicts between them.  Laws take care of the really "nasty" behaviors, but manners/etiquette is to take care of the "lesser" infractions, and grease the social interactions... for the survival of the society/culture and the humans that populate it.

It is unfortunate that "icons" of Hollywood, entertainment, media, etc., tend to promote bad behavior as acceptable, or at the least, comedic.   It's my feeling that only when someone (or more than one) persons of equal "status/caliber" champions ETIQUETTE, will the culture "pick up" on it and reform itself BACK to a more CIVILIZED way of behaving and interacting.

Have a polite day.

Answer 3

My mother is Scottish and agrees with you, as do I. I am American born and was taught good table manners are as important as bathing. I wish people would pay attention to the feelings of those around them instead of being so self centered.

Answer 4

Blame their parents for not teaching them manners.

Answer 5

It's just plain crude. We can control our bodily functions. It's a sign that we are civilized. I wouldn't dream of doing any of these things, even with family. If I belch, I say excuse me and I mean it.

Go to the zoo and watch the monkeys. They are totally uninhibited. They are monkeys. We aren't.

I've glad you can see that it's not a very nice way to act.

I would add, and I know folks will be mad, that I'm tired of people and their baseball caps. We even have them in church. What happened to taking off a hat when you were in the company of other people, indoors?.Especially when you are eating out?