Young people are too rude, say oldtimers
April 9th 2009 22:51
In a German study entitled "Generation Barometer 2009" coming out this Wednesday, over 50% of those surveyed say today's youth are rude and should be brought up according to stricter rules.
Returning to good old family values may be desirable, but it is not easily acquirable, apparently.
The German birth rate has plummeted by 1.1% 2007 and 2008 (I have no clue what figure it has actually plummeted to) as career plans and economic woes put plans for family expansion on hold.
Children are being put into day care earlier in life, and for longer periods of the day as parents head off to work to be able to make the mortgage payment while chasing a promotion or two. As a result, less emphasis is put on teaching social etiquette, so the children are largely left to fend for themselves in this particular aspect.
Gone are the days when the parents passed on the knowledge of how to eat with a knife and fork. Opening doors for others seems to be a thing of the past. Today, it's all about inconsideration and self-benefit.
I don't live in Germany, but I must say there is also a difference in the manners of my generation in comparison to the ones before. I don't think we're rude as such, but I think we take a casual approach to some situations that should be more formal. Wearing sneakers with suits to a black tie event, and insisting on saying "g'day" in all situations are two prime examples.
Perhaps what older Germans consider rude is not considered so by the younger generation? I haven't a clue, I'm just typing to meet my word quota. I'm got no clue about life in Germany.
Returning to good old family values may be desirable, but it is not easily acquirable, apparently.
The German birth rate has plummeted by 1.1% 2007 and 2008 (I have no clue what figure it has actually plummeted to) as career plans and economic woes put plans for family expansion on hold.
Children are being put into day care earlier in life, and for longer periods of the day as parents head off to work to be able to make the mortgage payment while chasing a promotion or two. As a result, less emphasis is put on teaching social etiquette, so the children are largely left to fend for themselves in this particular aspect.
Gone are the days when the parents passed on the knowledge of how to eat with a knife and fork. Opening doors for others seems to be a thing of the past. Today, it's all about inconsideration and self-benefit.
I don't live in Germany, but I must say there is also a difference in the manners of my generation in comparison to the ones before. I don't think we're rude as such, but I think we take a casual approach to some situations that should be more formal. Wearing sneakers with suits to a black tie event, and insisting on saying "g'day" in all situations are two prime examples.
Perhaps what older Germans consider rude is not considered so by the younger generation? I haven't a clue, I'm just typing to meet my word quota. I'm got no clue about life in Germany.
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
I see that the young are becoming cynical at an earlier age.
I didn't do any research for that one. It's just an observation.
I hope people on Orble don't tell me off for expressing my personal opinion.
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
They're coming for YOU!
Just gagging.
I've heard this one.
Never gave it a second thought. I have no idea, I'm just an idealogue.
Kidding. Rock 'n' Roll!
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
You're right about younger people missing out on all the etiquette coaching we all had as kids. We all sat at tables to eat and mostly our parents taught us these things so we wouldn't embarrass them if we went to a friend's house for dinner.
I'm taking over an abandoned Orble site Acceptable Etiquette and hope to be able to write a lot of useful as well as fun things on there. Your post is very timely for me.
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
In 1657, the oldies would have been saying this.
In 2040 the oldies will say it again.
Comment by Damo
And this
"The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority, they show disrespect to their elders.... They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and are tyrants over their teachers."
Attrib: Socrates
Of course I have not been to Germany so I am not sure about the state of the youth there.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I have to agree with Damo and the others here, not much has changed, the youth of every era seem repugnant to the oldies no matter when you peek along the time line. I think its jealousy, or the fact that old heads are wasted on young shoulders perhaps.
I will say however, that I think as far as social engineering goes, the modern version of a nanny ~ the early childhood day care corrals ~ may alter the status quo in the future a little and perhaps the research here is onto something but unable to prove anything until all todays day care toddlers have matured (if they ever do) without care. Perhaps that is a good thing as they will stay young longer and not have to suffer the brunt of mean spirited parents who criticise and beat them regularly, both emotionally and physically?
This is an interesting question that many are watching and only time will tell.
Lilla . .
Comment by Wynona Lavota
Generation Y Life
Norm, yes- they'll be brandishing walking frames and replacment hips.
Janet Collins- oooh I'll be looking forward to you re-vamping that blog.
Brenton, Damo and Lilla, agreed what I've reported on is nothing new. What amazes me is that if every generation is a devolved version of the one before, how is it that we still keep finding ways to be crappier?
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
ADHD and all that jazz from watching too much TV (which has changed so much over the years), perhaps some 80,000 perservatives and chemicals now introduced into our diets that weren*t there 50 years ago. Imported and frozen this *n* that. Cotton from China that has 900 times more formaldehyde in it (to stop creasing) than is allowed by the FDA, but permitted. The rise of coffee addiction, especially in women who are biologically not enginered to be able to drink it all . . . you know all the usual old crap, must affect and make each generation crappier, perhaps?
There is so much evidence out there to support all this stuff too, but people just don*t want to see it anymore, perhaps that is because we are all addicted to some chemical or other and off the rails completely, young and old. Its just that the young have more energy to act it out?
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
New Generation develops new standards.
Older Generation considers new standards inferior to their own.
Generation grows up.
Generations new standards become old standards.
New Generation develops new standards.
AND a whole lot of rose coloured glasses added in; done!
Comment by Damo
How is it that we keep finding ways to be crappier?
I am not sure that we do. Every generation has its own problems and every new generation has its rage against the previous one.
What youth offers is freedom from heavy responsibilities but also as a result of that it lacks experience with those same responsibilities.
Yet what I have seen from time to time is people looking for a tribal flag to wave.
Comment by Kristin Wolgemuth
Poetry Lighthouse
What's in a word
Time to Get Up Club
Comment by Wynona Lavota
Generation Y Life