![Have Americans Become Less Polite?](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/tsminteractive.com/files/2012/03/thank-you-300x225.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Have Americans Become Less Polite?
When’s the last time you heard someone use the words “please” and “thank you”? According to a recent poll, it’s probably been a long time.
Last year, fully 76 percent of people surveyed by Rasmussen Reports said Americans are becoming less civil — and more rude. So what’s going on?
Lisa Gache, a “civility coach” and co-founder of Beverly Hills Manners in Los Angeles, blames the gradual vanishing of courteous language on the fact that we’ve lost our sense of formality, saying, “Casual conversation, casual dress and casual behavior have hijacked practically all areas of life, and I do not think it is doing anyone a service.”
Psychiatrist Gregory E. Smith agrees. “Simple things that we took for granted as children no longer seem to count,” he says. “Saying please and thank you, asking permission, offering unsolicited help, and following up on solutions to problems are no longer as important.”
He cites the recent example of an airport kiosk worker who rang up his purchase and handed it to him, all while having a conversation on her cellphone — something he calls “amazing” and “outrageous.”
Etiquette maven Cindy Post Senning, the great-granddaughter of politeness pioneer Emily Post, says norms, manners and mores change over time. Still, she added, “The principles of respect, consideration and honesty are universal and timeless.”
[NPR]
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![NCAA Basketball Tournament Report: Cincinnati, Ohio and Xavier Win To Advance To Round Of 16](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/141590228.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How President Obama, Kate Middleton and More Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/st-patricks-day-barack-obama-kate-middleton.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rutgers Student Dharun Ravi Found Guilty in Gay Bullying Case](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/rutgers.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Guys Skip Out On Bar Tab By Skydiving From 55th Floor of Building](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/Base-jump-theft.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![George Clooney Arrested While Protesting In Front of Sudanese Embassy](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/George-clooney-arrested.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How Often Do You Exercise Each Week? — Survey of the Day](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/working-out.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Could Too Much Exercise Ruin a Woman’s Ability to Get Pregnant?](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/pregnant1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NCAA Basketball Tournament Report: Top Seeds Advance; Kentucky – Indiana Rematch Set For Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/141507033.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Iran Is Training an Army of Female Ninjas](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/03/iran-ninjas.jpg?w=980&q=75)