Once upon a time people held common courtesy in high regard. Gentlemen addressed each other as "sir" and women as "ma'am" or more commonly as "lady". Gentlemen held doors open for ladies as well as other gentlemen and a person who failed to abide by the commonly accepted rules of civilized society was considered a cad, undesireable, and an unwelcomed sort.
Somewhere between McDonald's and iPods courtesy died without anyone noticing. Today rudeness appears to be the norm and is not only socially acceptable but almost required. It's rare these days to see a gentleman tip his hat to a lady, (assuming he's even wearing a hat at all) or refrain from using vulgar language in a lady's presence. And it's even more rare to see a lady accept such graciousness in stride, choosing instead to either question the actions or engaging in vulgar activities herself.
What ever happened to genteel society? Is there something so wrong with people addressing each other in a civil manner? Is there a problem with using a bit of civility when speaking with another person?
Tonight while imbibing in a few adult beverages I was my customary self and acknowledged the barkeep's efforts when he brought me a fresh drink with a simple "Thank you, sir". After a while he actually asked me to not call him sir. When I asked him the reason for this absurd request he indicated that he wasn't comfortable being addressed in such a manner and preferred a simple "thank you" to "thank you, sir". Preposterous.
While I obliged him his request, I found it extremely odd that in this modern age people are actually uncomfortable with what at one time was considered not only common civility but the lack thereof was cause for a fight at the very least. What is this world coming to?
I refuse to give in to this trend and not only show common civility to others but expect, nay, demand it from others. Perhaps I am of an old fashioned mindset but I do not allow those with whom I am not intimate to address me on a first name basis as this is quite rude and assumes an intimacy which does not exist. I also do not accept rudeness as acceptable and will immediately address said rudeness with the perpetrator the instant it occurs. I never address a person by their first name, instead using "Mr", "Miss", "Mrs", or the modern "Ms", unless we have some sort of intimate relationship either in our personal or business lives as it should be.
I despise rudeness. It shows a complete lack of respect towards others and I can not abide it. Perhaps I am just a modern day dinosaur.