I want to write today about the social situation that is developing in our modern society. I see a deplorable decline in social manners as we interact with each other on a daily basis - or rather we fail to interact with each other. One of the first signs I saw that really puzzled me is the prevelance of headphones. What is it with people and their headphones? I see people walking all over town with their headphones on. They come into the caffe' with their headphones on. I'm not sure what they're listening to, and I really don't care. They come to the counter and place their order. I ask a question. They respond, "What?"
I'm sorry, but I'm not going to shout over whatever it is you're listening to. Here's my point: If you are going to interact in society, put your other thing on pause and pick it up again later. This habit isn't limited to the younger crowd. I've got senior citizens who walk in with their headphones on. This just blows my mind. I try to imagine they're having an npr driveway moment -- they're listening to something so profound that they just can't pull themselves away.
The same goes with cell phone calls and texting. I know I'm just an hourly worker, but if you want me to serve you graciously, please treat me like I'm a human being worthy of your attention. Face it: I'm handling your food. It bugs the heck out of me to have customers come to the counter with their cell phones, texting away while they place their order. Seriously, are you really that important that a text message can't wait 30 seconds while we conduct our business?
Remember the days when we didn't even have answering machines? If you weren't available to take the phone call, the other person would just have to call back. It didn't take long to learn the best times to catch a person. Then came the big, boxy answering machine. Wow. How great it was to come home and see the flashing light on the machine. Now, my friends chide me when I don't have my cell phone turned on 24/7. I have a friend who won't call me on the home phone because she doesn't want to bother me at home. But instead you'd rather bother me when I'm out and about, either at work or running errands, when I can't give you my full attention? That doesn't even make sense!
I really feel sorry for the children who are neglected because Mom or Dad can't put their cell phones away and pay attention to them. Someone said the other day, "We just aren't teaching our children manners anymore." I disagree. We ARE teaching them manners. We just need to be aware of what manners we are passing along. They learn from imitating the adults around them. This is the legacy we are passing along. What happens when these kids have children? How will we interact in society then?
Or maybe I'm just jealous because I'm not important enough to be on the phone all the time. Nah... not jealous at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment