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Original poster

To wonder when people got so selfish

89 replies

DoubleEspressoForMe · 27/06/2026 09:35

Over the last few days with my windows open all the time, I've really realised how little people care about how much they impact on other people. I am a dog owner, but I have been hearing a dog bark for well over an hour somewhere nearby. Its not that late in the morning. I'd be mortified if my dogs were disturbing others at any time of the day, let alone a Saturday morning. Not only that, the dog is clearly unhappy!

Things like this, or making noise in gardens late at night when everyone clearly has their own windows open. Or smoking weed all day so everyone else can smell it. Or having kids screaming at 7am in the garden on a weekend.

I was always raised to be conscious of other people, but a lot of people seem to be totally unaware or uncaring of their impact on others around them.

OP posts:
sweatymessi · 27/06/2026 10:24

I’m not sure we are more selfish but as pp said less tolerant

6ate9 · 27/06/2026 10:15

Quizzled · 27/06/2026 10:06

Like you, OP. I was raised to be considerate towards other people, in really simple basic ways, and I really notice these days that most people just don’t have that mentality anymore.

Covid and lockdown certainly gave a lot of people a “why should I” mentality. The rapid arrival of social media gave people a “main character” syndrome in life too. I’m sure there must be other reasons. It’s sad though.

This!! Social media has made people self obsessed!!! People constantly demand attention nowadays.

HonestLilacWriter · 27/06/2026 10:12

Social media and the rise of individualism accelerated it and then COVID happened and it all went off the rails because a lot of people were far more concerned with being inconvenienced and hated 'being told what to do' so went out of their way to be assholes and assert their 'rights'.

So then they've decided their 'rights' trump everyone else's and there is no longer antisocial behaviour, just moaning Karens who don't like it.

My dog chasing your dog, child or you? Well my dog is my family and dogs chase. Get over it.

My child screaming or running around in a restaurant, pub, wedding. Kids do kids stuff, they've got the right to be here get over it.

Listening to music, watching TV or having loud telephone conversations in public? get noise cancelling headphones if you don't like it, get over it.

Noisy neighbours playing loud music, kids screaming, parties etc. Don't like it? Move.

Expecting a thank you? I didn't ask you to help me or do X so why would I say thanks?

Okay I did ask you to help me or do that thing for me but you agreed to so you shouldn't expect me to say thanks. Don't do it if you expect me to be grateful.

Yeah you lent money but you obviously had it spare so you shouldn't expect me to pay it back when you don't need it.

And so on.

FiveShelties · 27/06/2026 10:09

I think it was Covid, people seem to have forgotten how to live with other people around.

Or they were always selfish and I just did not notice.

Quizzled · 27/06/2026 10:06

Like you, OP. I was raised to be considerate towards other people, in really simple basic ways, and I really notice these days that most people just don’t have that mentality anymore.

Covid and lockdown certainly gave a lot of people a “why should I” mentality. The rapid arrival of social media gave people a “main character” syndrome in life too. I’m sure there must be other reasons. It’s sad though.

Original poster
DoubleEspressoForMe · 27/06/2026 09:51

@Jellycatspyjamas hmm I appreciate people have a right to do these things. But I think you can do them in a way that is mindful of your neighbours. There is a fine line between what is reasonable and what is overly intrusive and impactful on others.

OP posts:
Original poster
DoubleEspressoForMe · 27/06/2026 09:49

@MargaretThursday I suspect you are right. But equally I think there is a degree of difference. Chatting in your garden is different to screaming with laughter on a week night until 1am. I do think there is a difference.

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 27/06/2026 09:49

Lockdown turned everyone selfish and then when it ended it just never went away. So many entitled arseholes about

AfogatoFirenze · 27/06/2026 09:49

6ate9 · 27/06/2026 09:44

People have definitely got more selfish and self centred. It’s all about “my rights” but never my responsibilities!!!

I am so going to steal this!

Jellycatspyjamas · 27/06/2026 09:46

I think folk have also got much less tolerant of others. People using their gardens in nice weather shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone and people make noise, have barbecues, listen to music and god forbid occasionally have parties.

6ate9 · 27/06/2026 09:44

People have definitely got more selfish and self centred. It’s all about “my rights” but never my responsibilities!!!

Sillyme1 · 27/06/2026 09:42

In my opinion things have got worse since covid

MargaretThursday · 27/06/2026 09:41

I suspect we all have impact on our neighbours, including you, but when it's ourselves we don't notice because we're "just doing things".

AImportantMermaid · 27/06/2026 09:38

Our next door neighbour watches Friends ALL DAY with the patio doors open. Just hearing the theme tune now makes the hairs on my neck rise.