<RANT>
Can anyone remember a time when we were expected to behave differently in public that we might behave in private? As I write this, I sit at the O'Hare Airport in Chicago, waiting for a flight to Houston. I am surround but about one hundred people, many of who are speaking on mobile phones at full volume. I know that the lady across two banks of seats in front of me has a cat who is very upset with her that she is leaving it at home all alone. With my poor Spanish skills, I know that a family of 8 is looking forward to meeting an uncle newly arrived from Mexico. I have just been accosted by a number of foul-languaged songs played on someone's laptop at full volume... and the list goes on. I have made two phone calls, but I recognize the fact that the microphone on my phone is sensitive enough that I can speak in an "indoor" voice and the person on the other end can hear me just fine. I have headphones for my music... What the bloody hell has happened to civility in public? I'm only 29, but when I was a kid, I would have gotten smacked for behaving like some of these "adults" are behaving. I needed to rant and share my pain. Anyone else have good stories to tell of simple niceties disappearing in public?
</RANT>
Can anyone remember a time when we were expected to behave differently in public that we might behave in private? As I write this, I sit at the O'Hare Airport in Chicago, waiting for a flight to Houston. I am surround but about one hundred people, many of who are speaking on mobile phones at full volume. I know that the lady across two banks of seats in front of me has a cat who is very upset with her that she is leaving it at home all alone. With my poor Spanish skills, I know that a family of 8 is looking forward to meeting an uncle newly arrived from Mexico. I have just been accosted by a number of foul-languaged songs played on someone's laptop at full volume... and the list goes on. I have made two phone calls, but I recognize the fact that the microphone on my phone is sensitive enough that I can speak in an "indoor" voice and the person on the other end can hear me just fine. I have headphones for my music... What the bloody hell has happened to civility in public? I'm only 29, but when I was a kid, I would have gotten smacked for behaving like some of these "adults" are behaving. I needed to rant and share my pain. Anyone else have good stories to tell of simple niceties disappearing in public?
</RANT>
