Gransnet forums

Chat

Manners.

(44 Posts)
Grannybags Tue 29-Jan-19 11:34:50

My husband will say in a loud voice "Don't mention it - oh you didn't!"

Margs Tue 29-Jan-19 11:25:48

Ooh, now you've started me off! How about when you hold a shop door open for the person behind you and suddenly 72 others appear from nowhere and rush through (like it's your job to go around holding doors open for the likes of them) without a murmur? And you know that they know you're there because of the clumsy way they avoid eye contact.

Ha! A pox on them and their lack of basic etiquette - bet they do that 'Manspread' thing on public transport too.

Butterflygirl11 Tue 29-Jan-19 11:02:11

This really annoys me as well , also when you are driving and you let someone out and they don’t acknowledge you . Some people are so rude .

youngagain Tue 29-Jan-19 10:56:44

On a bus recently there were some school children sitting a few rows back behind me - about 11 and 12 years old. The language from one of the boys was disgusting and said at the top of his voice. There were a number of much younger children on the bus and their mothers were looking a bit anxious. I actually turned around and asked the boy to 'mind his language'. His reply was 'why should I? I replied it was unpleasant and the rest of the bus didn't want to hear it. At that, a couple of the mums agreed with me and said they had their young children with them. The boy sniggered to the others, but did keep his voice down. This is not the first time I have asked young people to control their language on public transport. I wonder what their parents would say if they heard them!!

00mam00 Tue 29-Jan-19 10:50:53

Where do I start? Holding a shop door open for someone who then sweeps past without touching the door or saying thank you. I have managed on occasion to let go of the door when this happens and get a look of surprise and anger.
Pavement manners? The person facing the traffic should walk on the outside. Parents should keep children on the inside. How many times do I see (mostly) dads with small children on the traffic side. Joggers and country walkers should face oncoming traffic. If a couple or group walk towards me on the pavement, meaning I have to step into the road, I just stand stock still in front of them.

Road manners? Don’t they teach indicating in the Highway Code or general road manners?

And as for mobile phone manners! Luckily I must stop here as I have a friend coming for coffee.

trisher Tue 29-Jan-19 10:41:06

On the train home the other day a young man got on with a group of people and sat next to me. He was having a conversation which included lots of c** and f* words and was about someone he had been working with. I wondered if I should say something, but it was late and I was tired. When we reached my station I needed to pass him. When I asked him to let me by he stood up, apologising profusely and very eloquently. Asked if I was OK and made sure I had plenty of room to pass. It was an absolute transformation. I still don't understand how the awful yob who was swearing became the polite young man.

eazybee Tue 29-Jan-19 10:36:11

I don't think manners belong to any particular age group or sex; some people have them and use them, some people don't.
There was a time when some younger female colleagues would get extremely uptight when men, usually older, held doors open for them, offered to carry things, gave up their seats,and horror of horrors, tried to light their cigarettes for them, (that long ago). They regarded themselves as feminists , were quite able to look after themselves, thank you, and didn't need to be patronised by men.
I wonder how they brought up their children?

moobox Tue 29-Jan-19 10:28:21

I live in a town, and it is surprising how many people stop and wave me across when I am waiting to cross the road. Obviously, I always nod a thank you to them.

Coolgran65 Tue 29-Jan-19 10:27:17

+KatyK* I must remember your dh response. smile
Having said that I find most folk have manners.

henetha Tue 29-Jan-19 10:27:16

It's true. Manners are sadly lacking, and this can happen with any age. But I must say that horse riders, to which I often give way as I live near a horse farm/stables, are invariably grateful and always give a friendly wave.

Rosina Tue 29-Jan-19 10:26:49

My Mother's mantra was 'manners cost nothing'; what a difference they make though. Ill mannered people annoy other people, well mannered people impress, and what a lot that must do for goodwill, success in careers and just generally getting along in a happier way in society. I read that Nigella Lawson has beautiful manners and treats everyone with the utmost gentle courtesy; as a result when she is filming cookery programmes the crew will do anything to help her, and not just because she looks good or hands out cakes! I once stepped into the road with my little dog to let our local vicar pass on a very narrow pavement; he was carrying a couple of shopping bags. He swept past without a word or a glance. I did mutter a few less than holy words.

Kim19 Tue 29-Jan-19 10:22:19

I notice this particularly with the 'door swinging in my face' arena. Happens so regularly that I am now alert to it. I wonder why this has happened. Are manners not taught at all? Were we brainwashed at an early age? I'm really curious as to this deterioration. Seems such a shame.

cassandra264 Tue 29-Jan-19 10:11:34

We live near land managed by the National Trust where people often walk along narrow paths by the waterside. Often we will give way to younger and fitter walkers, usually saying something along the lines of'you go first - you'll be quicker!' with a smile. I don't think we've ever had a negative response - perhaps people out for the day are expecting to enjoy themselves more and are more responsive? and young ones in particular have on occasion noticed that I suffer from arthritis and have helped me down steps or steeper gradients.
There will always be some, of course, that avoid eye contact - and others who visit in groups, and talk/shriek loudly - frightening away all the wildlife others have come to see.....

lovebeigecardigans1955 Tue 29-Jan-19 09:47:19

I find it a bit of a mixture. If you look them in the eye with a smile you sometimes get a thank you.
When walking along a cycle path/pavement it can be difficult - we regularly had a club of cyclists passing by they always said thank you and the tail-ender always said, "thanks, I'm the last" with a smile.
I always look round when entering/leaving a shop to hold the door open, I hope it's appreciated.

Doodle Mon 28-Jan-19 19:29:54

When out walking, DH and I who always hold hands when walking, always separate and go single file to accommodate other people coming towards us. We have noticed that many others walking together do not do the same to us. Some say thank you, others do not.

Anja Mon 28-Jan-19 19:25:20

Yes, it’s always the old folk too. Try giving way in a crowded Tesco aisle. Half the oldies don’t say thanks ??

KatyK Mon 28-Jan-19 18:47:41

If this happens to my DH, he sometimes says 'pardon?' They sometimes reply 'I didn't say anything' and he says 'oh sorry. I could have sworn you said thank you.

varian Mon 28-Jan-19 18:42:16

I live in a very rural area where we mostly have one track lanes. I actually enjoy giving way to other drivers or riders who nearly always acknowledge the courtesy with a wave or a nod.

Polskasue Mon 28-Jan-19 18:35:04

Walking along a pavement today mostly blocked by a parked car. ( Another issue! ) Two ladies around my own age, one with dog were walking towards me. I stopped, waited and let them through first. It was obvious I had waited. Did they thank me or even acknowledge my existence? No. So after they had passed me I said loudly and clearly "You're welcome." A snigger from one of the ladies as a response. I get incensed that the older generation are all too quick to criticise young people - but why did I teach my children, and they teach their children to be polite and pleasant when the older generation can be so ignorant. Please don't let me get started on drivers too lazy to indicate!!!