I've been noticing this more and more over the past year and a half I've been working in a Traditional Hardware store, but today it came to a head after a older gentleman (around 65-70) was so unbelievably rude. Anyway, I'll just give you a bit of a back story.

I'm 16 years old, I'm a regular teenager, I don't get drunk, I tend not to swear, I'm not one of those stereotypical teenagers that hang round on street corners. I'm a hardworker and am going into the police next year (at 18-and-a-half).

However, when I'm working, the older generation come in and see a young guy behind the counter think it automatically gives them the right to lose all respect and manners. However, do they stop to think that their view and 'tarring all people with the same brush' may be wrong? 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.

This particular gentleman who came in today wanted a key cut. He took one look at me and slammed his key on the counter and said "do three of those." 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?" Thankfully, my boss sided with me and everything was ok. I cut the three keys and continued to serve him at the till, and he replied with please and thank yous.

My questions are, as the general public, are we rude on the whole? Do old people tar the younger generation with the same brush and expect respect?