Etiquette expert: Modern manners matter
By Laura Rice
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.
Read more: Local, Business, Education, Community, Entertainment, Strange, Consumer, Manner, Modern, Behavior, Rude, Etiquette, Levis Commons, Cell Phone
PERRYSBURG -- Kanye stealing the microphone from Taylor Swift, Serena Williams throwing a tantrum on the tennis court, a congressman screaming out during President Obama's address...
Where are our manners?
NBC24 sat down with an etiquette expert who says manners are at an all-time low.
"There is such a lack of courtesy in today's society. We see it everywhere we go," said Jill-Marie Zachman, Etiquette Consultant.
So NBC24 decided to take Zachman out to Levis Commons to see how shoppers responded to rude behavior and to ask them if they think manners have gone by the wayside.
So what do you think about manners these days?:
"There aren't many," said Lou Anne Mussman.
"Manners have really gotten lost," said Ken Hoffman.
"Yeah, like people cutting in line," said Kortinia Martin. "And people talking on their cell phones when they're driving."
"It seems like their conversation is more important than what they are there for," said Hoffman.
Hoffman works at The Flying Bean and he says it is there that he sees a lot of bad manners... which translates into a lot of disrespect.
"When you used to walk into a store it used to be "mister" or "missus" to whomever was behind the counter, now half of the time they don't even care what your name is," said Hoffman.
Zachman says manners are life skills and many of us are lacking in that common sense.
"It seems like things people should know basics, we don't and we don't have the role models any longer, passing down the do's and don't's in society and we need to get back to basics," said Zachman.
Basics like opening the door for someone behind you.
"You know, it seems like it's, get your own door (most of the time)," said Martin.
And walking on the right side of the sidewalk.
"They push in front of you," said Mussman.
And the big one? Cell phones.
Zachman says we are all rude on our phones because no one has ever taught us the proper usage.
"So we're all kind of winging it and we're not all doing it right," said Zachman.
So how rude are you?
Watch the video to see how many "crimes" you have been guilty of.
And do not be fooled, someone is always watching.
And modern manners still matter.
