Is it me, or are people becoming ruder?
I can't figure out how we've come to function in a world that is deprived of proper etiquette. There was a time when we were taught the importance of keeping our elbows off the table. Now, I am amazed at the lack of etiquette that individuals have at common recreational places, from the movie theater to a nice restaurant.
I found myself, along with others, attracted by the newly built Otay Ranch Mall in Chula Vista. Living in the South Bay, this is a great improvement because we don't have to rely on Fashion Valley Mall. My initial attraction to the new mall was The Cheesecake Factory. To my dismay, I was seated next to a woman who talked nonstop from the time she sat down to the time she signed the bill.
While I was trying to enjoy my lunch, I learned everything about her, from her pregnancy to the date of her boyfriend's nose job. Not only was this woman completely rude with her conversations, but to make things even worse, she brought out the dreaded cell phone and began discussing Christmas gifts and her baby shower. Why should I, a polite individual, have to put up with this sort of behavior? I found myself wanting to throw my plate of pasta right in her face.
This kind of behavior is very disappointing in adults. Most of the time, people should know better, unless they were raised by wolves. I'm like anyone else who works hard and wants to spend my money at a nice place with a great ambiance. Now, the question is whether I can go out to eat and enjoy my meal without having to listen to someone else's life story.
Not only is proper etiquette an issue at restaurants, but I have to worry about it at the movie theater. The movies always seem to bring a fairly large crowd, which can also pave the way for truly uncivilized people. I can never seem to get through a whole movie without someone taking it upon themselves to narrate. I get whiplash from having to turn to the person behind me.
Movies are a favorite pastime for many, so why do people take it upon themselves to disrupt others around them? I find it quite difficult to pay attention to a movie when Chatty Kathy and her sister are sitting next to me.
I think that I'm like most people. I like spending what little free time I have enjoying small things such as going to a movie or going out to eat. Is it really too much to ask of people to have proper etiquette?
I know that we live in a society void of manners and geared more toward rude and obnoxious behavior, but my request is simple. It really shouldn't be that difficult to respect others when we are out in public. Everyone has their own ways and ideas behind closed doors, but once we step out in public, this should all change.
I want to enjoy my time out with my friends and family. I want to go to the movies and out to dinner without having to worry about someone else's cell phone conversation or someone pushing my seat inside the theatre. Maybe the days of etiquette school are long gone, but we can all learn a little lesson or two from those good-mannered folks who are still around.
-Brooke Salcedo is a psychology senior.
-This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed - include your full name, major and year in school.
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