Anonymous wrote:

Texting and checking email every few minutes is beyond rude. It is like saying to someone, hold on, let me check and see if there is something more interesting then you.

This is the essence of the problem. THAT is why it's bad manners. Very, very few adults would ever say to someone out loud, "Hey -- hold that thought. I see Liz walking by and I am super curious to see what she's up to, and whether it's more interesting than you are. If it's not ... I'll be right back to you! Otherwise, I'm going to stand here with my back turned to you, ignoring you. Cool?"

they wouldn't say that because it's rude as hell. And now, the <30s are going to chime in and assure me they can do both at the same time and 'multitask' and give equal attention to 2 conversations at the same time. Except, that's now been studied and science proves this is wrong, no matter how badly they want to believe it.

Anonymous wrote:If texting in complete sentences means you're old, I'll cop to it. Well, to be honest, I have been known to lapse into text-speak in deference to the character-limit. I cannot, however, bring myself to type "u" for "you". That's where I must draw a line.

OTOH, I do enjoy the way that the brevity of texting style is akin to the style used in telegrams. Tho' I'm not old enough to have ever sent or received a telegram, it does seem oh, so romantic. Think of the great old movie scenes in which the arrival of and reading aloud of a telegram is a pivotal moment. Just one example -- Jimmy Stewart reading the telegrams from friends and family in the last scene of "It's a Wonderful Lilfe".

Anonymous wrote:
People think it's funny that I text in complete sentences, using normative spelling and punctuation. Evidently, it means I'm old.

I'm also surprised by the absence of "would" a lot of the time. "Want some wine?" vs "Would you like a glass of wine?" I mean, with my three year old "Mommy, I need milk" gets corrected, as it should. But, with adults? It's just something I've noticed.

My children have passively picked up casual "thank yous" because at home I say it each time they pass me something or follow through on a request. It's part of how I function, I don't think about it. I only noticed it stood out when adults comment on it, like when I pass my son something I just bought him at a shop or the glass of juice he requested and he instinctively says "thank you."

I think "shut up" is vulgar. I loathe gum-chewing.

When I'm on the phone with someone who is clearly "multitasking" and involved in something online, I just end the conversation. "Oh, it seems like you're busy with something else, I'll let you focus on that and chat with you later." No one has seemed offended, just a little surprised that it would be an issue or a little embarrassed at being called out for it.

Oh, well. Maybe I'm just an eccentric?

Texting and checking email every few minutes is beyond rude. It is like saying to someone, hold on, let me check and see if there is something more interesting then you.

I have a quandary when someone texts me using standard English and full sentences, and I want to reply in kid - text (to me anyway). R U There? ETA?
Is it rude?

Anonymous wrote:I HATE it when strangers don't start with "excuse me" when addressing me. Rudely, I have been known to give polite but wrong directions to these people.

No problem = de nada in Spanish, so it doesn't bother me.

Anonymous wrote:Agree about "no problem" replacing "you're welcome."

Using cell phones to text while having a meal with me or someone else. Seems to be no big deal among most of my younger coworkers.

Sitting on couches with feet up on coffee tables, or curling legs under oneself while sitting. I do this in my home with my family, but would never dream of doing so in the company of others.

Using the word "suck" or "sucks" and not feeling it's crude or inappropriate. I was raised to consider this almost a swear word, but I don't think younger people tend to view it that way anymore.

For the record, I'm in my early 50s.

Anonymous wrote:
People think it's funny that I text in complete sentences, using normative spelling and punctuation. Evidently, it means I'm old.

I'm also surprised by the absence of "would" a lot of the time. "Want some wine?" vs "Would you like a glass of wine?" I mean, with my three year old "Mommy, I need milk" gets corrected, as it should. But, with adults? It's just something I've noticed.

My children have passively picked up casual "thank yous" because at home I say it each time they pass me something or follow through on a request. It's part of how I function, I don't think about it. I only noticed it stood out when adults comment on it, like when I pass my son something I just bought him at a shop or the glass of juice he requested and he instinctively says "thank you."

I think "shut up" is vulgar. I loathe gum-chewing.

When I'm on the phone with someone who is clearly "multitasking" and involved in something online, I just end the conversation. "Oh, it seems like you're busy with something else, I'll let you focus on that and chat with you later." No one has seemed offended, just a little surprised that it would be an issue or a little embarrassed at being called out for it.

Oh, well. Maybe I'm just an eccentric?

Anonymous wrote:When I am at the ATM, reading the prompts, and the last one is "I'm done!" We were taught that people are finished, roast is done.