Carole,~~ Good points. :bigthumbsup: I would say that nationwide if now worldwide, manners have taken a nose dive. I believe that one of the charms of TV is that we are resisting that tide of incivility. For the most part, folks here take the time to chill, to actually consider the good of others in their actions. And I believe the attitude here is a backlash to the attitudes so many of us left in our crowded northern homes and lifestyles.
But don't get me wrong. This is not a geographic malady. As many Texans, Georgians, and Floridians are as rude, crude, and socially unslick as New Yorkers, Californians, and Chicagoans. We're taught in school to go for the top, that only the best get into the best schools, and all others end up shining shoes in the bus station. :
: Our television "heroes" are the smart-ass kid who's so much sharper than his sad parents or the ultra witty amoral bachelor(ette) who does whatever is needed to get ahead. And the "adult" soaps are even worse.
And we are taught that society is an adversarial situation. Disagree with a neighbor about a tree limb --- sue him. Your kid runs across his yard, falls over his own bike, you sue the neighbor. Disagree with the homeowners association you voluntarily joined, sue 'em. Little Susie didn't make cheerleader or Tommy is getting enough playing time on the lacrosse team, sue 'em. The description of the 80's was apparently "The Me Decade." Since then, instead of shedding that image, we've just expanded it to "It's me first and foremost and anything that gets in my way, be damned." :edit:
Thank God we have our political leaders on both sides to leads by their good example.
But I really believe that many here in TV are here because they tired of that lifestyle and wanted something better, slower, almost Ozzie & Harriet. Sure we rush --- there's so much to do -- but generally it's an exception. We don't have a cow when we're in the express lane at Publix and the clerk starts talking to the lady ahead of us about the grandkids' visit or the new dress shop. Some do, of course, but most just smile and take it in stride. We hold doors for everyone. We always smile and give the old Villages Wave. We have no qualms about stopping in a parking lot, or even the middle of the street, to talk to a stranger about a neat feature on his golf cart. And we say thanks, smile, and wave when we leave them. And woe be the poor person who has engine trouble or appears lost. In minutes, he'll be surrounded by complete strangers offering help. crap It's almost overwhelming. 040