Why are teens and young adults so rude in DC metro?

[Anonymous]

I am seriously asking. Is it too much money, too spoiled, too whatever? I am letting a teen cross the street and she flips me off, another one at Amtrak station in similar situation, not at a crossing or anything, I stopped and let her pass, I did move a tiny bit forward, nowhere near her though, and she started swearing at me, her parents on the other side of the road heard it and supported her telling me to F@&* off. 11 year old cut the line to restrooms and told us "W=who the hell tells me to wait." Then her two younger sister just stood there staring while she swore at "stupid people"in line. Her mom showed up, she acted all innocent when mom was told that kid is using foul language and then mom started yelling and swearing at the people. As they were leaving, the girl looks back and gives us "screw you" look. I see it everywhere and don't understand what exactly is happening here. Are we as parents failing to raise nice people?

[Anonymous]

Sorry about that W= mistake.

[Anonymous]

Role models. Mini mommies and daddies.

[Anonymous]

The "i'm sorry, do you need more services and cash to behave humanely" attitude of the new DC residents. These are your new puppy dogs, poor cute little things.

[Anonymous]

Because everyone else is, too.

[Anonymous]

15 year old told me that she is completely independent. She knows exactly how much she spends on her card and when to call Dad to put more on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15 year old told me that she is completely independent. She knows exactly how much she spends on her card and when to call Dad to put more on.

LOL

[Anonymous]

This is just the way people act in DC. I am an army brat and have yet to find an area filled with so many superficial unhappy angry people - trying to come off as perfect and happy. Look around? What is to actually like around here. You can't much more self-absorbed than the DC Metro area.

[Anonymous]

Just tell them that you hope they have a safe trip home.

I don't think it's young people. I've had a few 50+ women go off on us in public here. Once for when I took too long in the mustard aisle of the grocery store and I wasn't even blocking her view and I said "pardon me."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just tell them that you hope they have a safe trip home.

I don't think it's young people. I've had a few 50+ women go off on us in public here. Once for when I took too long in the mustard aisle of the grocery store and I wasn't even blocking her view and I said "pardon me."

Someone went off on you? My favorite is saying "Pardon me" and the woman just keeps looking straight ahead, pretending she doesn't see or hear you, much less feel the skin rubbed off her ankle from the wheel of your cart.

[Anonymous]

I just assume every person on public transportation is a volatile psycho and act accordingly. You should, too.

[Anonymous]

I blame current television programing, especially post-family viewing hour (thank you Norman Lear and 1970s mentality) and post-cable. Have you watched kids' shows?

The Brady Bunch, Father Knows Best and Bonanza are far in the rear view mirror, and there are few positive role models. The adults are by-and-large idiots, not worthy of respect. Throw in working parents, or single family households, and you have a society going off the rails.

Where have you gone, Tipper Gore? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in DC and went to a DC private.

I was rude, I was always in a rush, I never made eye contact, I was impatient, etc.

In my 20's I was visiting friends in the South and they were like "chill" you are so rude, you need to slow down. Somebody said "good morning" to me and I said "do I know you"... I just never had anybody say Good morning if I did not know them.

I was taught to walk like I was confident, don't make eye contact, don't talk to strangers and always be aware of who was around you.

We walked on the left and pushed pass the slow lane on the right, if you stood to the left we said, move to the right.

I am so glad my friend pointed out how rude I was and I made an effort to change.

My parents were not like this, I think I just watched and learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in DC and went to a DC private.

I was rude, I was always in a rush, I never made eye contact, I was impatient, etc.

In my 20's I was visiting friends in the South and they were like "chill" you are so rude, you need to slow down. Somebody said "good morning" to me and I said "do I know you"... I just never had anybody say Good morning if I did not know them.

I was taught to walk like I was confident, don't make eye contact, don't talk to strangers and always be aware of who was around you.

We walked on the left and pushed pass the slow lane on the right, if you stood to the left we said, move to the right.

I am so glad my friend pointed out how rude I was and I made an effort to change.

My parents were not like this, I think I just watched and learned.

Did I post this??

I have the exact same experience, but I went to public school here. A "W" school. I moved to Charlotte after college for work and it was very eye opening. I all of a sudden became so self aware about how rude I may have been perceived by others. It's not that I was a horrible person. I spent weekends volunteering on my own initiative, I was a good kid and didn't get into trouble, I did well in high school and college. But I was just as you described. It wasn't until my southern boyfriend started commenting on how fast I walked and how fast I spoke with no small talk and just a "cut to the chase" attitude that I realized how different the vibe where I grew up was.

It's not that we didn't care about others, but people here just don't interact with strangers. Period.

[Anonymous]

This is not a race thing. I've encountered rude teens of all races in DC. One time, two snotty blonde girls sitting in the handicapped seats on the metro refused to get up for my friend who had a cast on her ankle. And, they were "saving a seat" for their friend who got on at the next stop. Wth kind of entitlement leads kids to believe they can save a seat on the metro?!