[ElProximo]

Originally Posted by mathews220

Perhaps if they stop to think that not all teenagers are the same, pay the teenager some respect and manners, they might get them in return.
.... I looked at him, and after some initial hesitation (I usually bite my tongue at work) I replied, "do I get a please with that?"

I want you to look at what you wrote here ^

What you don't know is that is exactly why older people complain of the breakdown of propriety and consider teenagers insolent disrespectful etc.

What?
The thing is. You don't understand that in his day it was UNHEARD OF that the boy would DARE to say to an older man "do i get a please?"
NO
Its like this. Yes, it would be nice if he gave you a 'please' and 'thank you'. Agreed.
However,
The rule was that you DO NOT deserve it and further more even if you didn't get it then you have NO RIGHT to challenge him for it like you were equals.
In fact, in the olde days your boss (and me) would still agree he was a cranky old man,
however,
YOU would not get the right. You would not have a say. You have no place to ask for it,
and,
making a passive-aggressive vindictive woman comment like 'hmmph.. do i get a please?' would actually get you slapped upside the head BY YOUR BOSS.
and a customer.
and the man in question.
And then asked who the hell you think you are?

You don't understand any of this. I'm sure its just reading 'nonsense' to your mind.
And I think that might be the point after all. You actually have no idea why what I told you could have ever made 'sense' or should be obvious.

........
I'm someone in the middle. The disrespect thing started around my age group. Its much worse now.
I actually just saw an online video where a young guy (maybe 22) was getting told off by a rude old guy (maybe 55-65).
To MY HORROR the young guy then 'fought' the old guy. Started punching him!
Like the old man was just another guy he should fight. Actually even worse he did 'UFC' ****. (we used to say this was shameful).

I mean... I'm not THAT old.. this is just a few .. say 10 years ago you would NEVER SEE THAT!
I mean we NEVER THOUGHT OF SUCH A THING!
This would NEVER ENTER OUR MINDS!
The dirtiest, ****tiest, sneaky bully... the guy notorious for picking fights with weaker people in our day... would NEVER NEVER NEVER strike an old man!
No matter. If the old man was in the wrong, punching us.. NEVER would you even THINK of 'fighting' the old man like that.

I'm serious. The society is ****ing degenerating. The reason it can't be reversed is actually because youth DON"T KNOW any different anyways. They don't know what they are doing is disgusting low degrading immoral and wrong.
To them its 'life in the UK'. and 'how it is'.
The beginning of the end.