Dear Editor,
People watching (and listening) is a very revealing open window into today’s culture. That is not to say it is gratifying in any way. I am saddened by what I see and hear on the street, in stores and in many other public places.
I frequently wonder what became of what were once called manners. It was once assumed and understood, that if you exhibited “good manners” in your interactions with others, that you were a person of a proper upbringing and were an all-around good citizen.
I know that there are some folks who will not understand this or agree with my viewpoint, but because I am less than a decade and a half from being a hundred years old, I have seen and heard enough to claim the right pf commentary.
There are words that once had meaning and weight in everyday conversation, now they seem to have evaporated from our common language. I will rattle off some of those and await the accusation of being old fashioned and deaf to change. Try some of these: Ethics, Morals, Dignity, Responsibility, Dedication, Honor, Pride, Foresight, Selflessness, Generosity….and thousands more that are seldom heard nowadays.
Along with the disappearance of those bits of our American language, so went the exercise of those character traits in America’s post 1960’s population. The people of that age category seem, to my ancient eyes, to have abandoned civility and concern for the sensibilities of others. When I am out and about, I see and hear children, teens, parents and grandparents behaving and speaking like terminally spoiled brats who care nothing for anyone but themselves.
I will close this rant by mentioning three seldom seen behaviors exhibited by people in public, those are courtesy, kindness and helpfulness.
If you cannot define the foregoing old words without consulting Siri or Alexa, or Google, you need to invest some serious study time into just how you conduct yourself in public.
Good luck and may God Bless You.
Jack Hommel
