Good manners on the declineCreated on May 21, 2013
New research has shown that good manners in Australia and New Zealand is declining.
People are no longer using common etiquette such as saying “please”, “thank you” and even “hello” as traditional signs of respect diminish in importance.
Other important manners such as giving up one’s seat to the elderly, holding a door open for women and not swearing in public are also declining the study of more than 500 people found.
Mealtime etiquette has also suffered, with 88 per cent saying the old rule of having to be seated to eat was disappearing.
People who answered the survey said it was now more commonplace to eat meals standing or walking, and that watching television or browsing the internet often replaces mealtime conversation.
Gender-based courtesies practised by older people have seen the biggest decline. Almost 85 per cent of respondents saying men no longer walk on the street side of the footpath to “protect” their female partner.
More than 75 per cent said the old fashioned rule that women should “sit or stand but never lean” was on the way out in our society.
