Are Manners Deteriorating ?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 22, 30 November 1910, Page 61

Are Manners Deteriorating ?

I came across an amusing correspondence in a Melbourne newspaper, entitled: “Are Manners Deteriorating’’’ The letters seem to be mostly from apoplectic old persons who delight to growl. A new note, however, was struck by a youth, who complained of the beastly bad manners of elderly individuals. Said the youth: “Stout, red-faced old men appear perpetually in railway cars and trams, where they roar loudly at the bad manners of the rest; but who has ever seen them considering the comfort and feelings of others. Manners do deteriorate, especially when they are not 'exercised for half a lifetime.” Of course there is no such legend as “No standing in this ear” in Sydney. People just “get On.” A seat is a mere detail. The main thing is to arrive at one’s destination, and it matters little whether you stood on your own feet or on other people’s. But we, being in no great hurry, though we see the silly notice staring us in the face, we pack in, only for the whole car to be held up, while we are again and again told “No standing in this car.” 5Ve leisurely look round once again to make quite sure that there is really not a seat, and the conductor means business, and then gently amble out. It is quite a common thing to see men give up their seats, and since the “boy scouts” movement one often sees boys do this. But there is one thing I have never Been done, and that is when a double-decker car is full inside, and some elderly folk come in, sometimes so fat that they simply could not mount the steps. I have seen young men sit there looking blank, but never budging, and the old folk have to get out and wait for another car. This is generally on Sunday morning. Once, in a weak moment, I got up and offered my seat to an old man, red of face, and stout of person. He glared at me, and said, “Well, I have not come to that, thank you,” and bravely mounted the steps.— Auckland Correspondent.)