My wife has said in the past that to her daughter you dont need to do this because you are part of the family, and my response is that family is even more important than strangers.

So, does anyone have opinions about this? Should I really not care? Am I over doing it?

thanks!

I don’t think it’s that people have intentionally gotten more rude, rather, people have become so self-absorbed. That combined with the increase of news on bad things, it’s easy to crawl into your own little world, pull the blankets close and try not to think about things other than you and your family.

Raising kids is hard now. Finding the balance between how I was raised and how to raise them. The world is way different then it was when I was 5 years old. We’re simply raising our kids to love unconditionally, help others whenever you are able to (donating old clothes, money, volunteering)… saying “Please” and “Thank you”… the basics that seem to be remembered by most people.

On a side note: There was an interesting article the other day (forget who wrote it) about how with the increase of music devices like iPods and MP3 players, ‘experts’ are fearing we as a society are becoming more withdrawn and more afraid to interact with other people we do not know.

Logtar, but you cannot expect everyone to be as friendly or as outgoing as you, lol. Maybe some people are not happy at their jobs (most aren’t) and they are not in the mood to do so. On the other hand, I understand what you mean though about being curteous. I’m the same way in person. Being genuine to people goes a long way.

It’s a shame how manners are sometimes completely absent. People often look at me like I’m going to assault them here when I say hello to a stranger on the street. Obviously I don’t say hello to everyone on a crowded sidewalk, but if I’m walking around my apartment complex or something and pass someone and say “hello,” they look at me like I’m nuts. It’s very different from where I grew up and I’ve unconciously adopted a colder attitude (which I don’t like.) I miss being able to strike up a conversation with strangers or just saying “hi” to someone simply because it’s the polite thing to do.

A few years ago, I was working for a company and was introduced to an executive on the company’s board of directors. I was probably 25 at the time, this man was probably about 75 years old. After being introduced and shaking hands, I said, “I’m pleased to meet you sir.” He stood there for a second and said, “Do you know how long it’s been since someone called me sir in this organization? That attitude will carry you far son, it’s good to see someone with some respect for his elders.”

I now have a six month old son, and I’m going to do everything I can to instill the traditional, polite behavior that my parents instilled in me. I see some of the kids around today and can’t believe the way they talk to their parents or strangers. I would’ve been beaten within an inch of my life if I spoke the way these kids do in public.