AIBU to think we now live in a society where nobody cares about other people’s experiences in social spaces?

Because people don't say something?

But also because they'll likely tell you to f off and noone will back you up for being such "a Karen"

We are failing our young by not teaching them in the first place.

Entitlement is rife unfortunately. I’m not sure when is started to happen but it’s sad to see. No one seems to have any respect for anyone else these days.

Why do you assume that these behaviours are exhibited by “the young”? They could very well be, but I’ve seen just as many middle aged people behaving in similar ways.

Well it’s not “nobody” is it? As you don’t do it, and plenty of other people don’t by your own admission. Some even challenge such behaviours.

In conclusion, some people don’t give a shit. It was ever thus.

I just don't enjoy being out in public anymore. Public space seems to be almost hostile. People are rude, unfriendly, impatient, selfish, entitled. No one seems to have manners anymore. I just find being around strangers very stressful. I am not as friendly or agreeable as I was. The thing I notice most is that people are now treating others as though they are an obstacle or nuisance to them.

I do wonder if the issue with phones is that most of them are no longer sold with a headphone socket.

It takes more organisation to have Bluetooth headphones as they need charging, are either in ear, in which case you need to put them in, take them out etc, or they’re over ear which doesn’t suit lots of ordinary people.

I know you can get wireless in ear with a cord but it’s all a lot more faff than it was just to have a pair of headphones plugged in and the cord wrapped around your phone.

could be no connection but I did wonder.

You’re going to want to kick me soon

But again, majority? So in a theatre most people are on their phones? In a train carriage nearly everyone is doing something on their phones out loud ? And so on…?

I’ve been out and about this summer , and yeah there have been some, out of hundreds and not on every train or every journey. I think the “loudest” was a NH carnival day, but that was rather expected. Still didn’t bother me terribly, but then again I’m pretty good at tuning out other people.

Definitely not just the young. In London at least it’s across all strata, although if I had to narrow it down I’d say I’ve seen it more with people who clearly don’t have expensive phones/clothes etc, which is why I wonder if it’s connected to the missing headphone socket issue. It’s just a gut feeling. and because the older people are doing it the young people assume it’s acceptable.

I just wear noise cancelling headphones as I don’t want to listen to someone argue with their electricity provider etc, the average teenage phone convo, or Mr ‘I’m So Big that I Have to be Noisy’ talking marketing bollocks to try and impress someone at the other end.

I remember the bus nutter days. They always seemed to sit next to me ;-)

But you can buy headphones that plug into the charger socket instead. So i don't really understand this as a reason.

What has changed is that phones no longer come with headphones included, which makes it feel like they are optional.

My experience is it’s all ages doing it - but thankfully not every time I’m on a train or Tube. I think there should be signs discouraging it, as there are in some places I’ve travelled to, so at least one could point to something official when complaining to the guilty party.

YANBU, public transport is awful now because people are so selfish. Our local buses have signs up saying no loud music or calls etc but of course no-one pays any attention.
I was on a bus the other week, there was a family with young kids all playing music/games loudly on phones/tablets. A lady complained (politely) to the driver as she was getting off and he told her they weren't doing anything wrong (the bus company's rules say differently mate) and to get a taxi next time if she didn't like it. 😮 So yeah, everyone's an arsehole and I hate going places!

Mass migration is a factor

I’d agree there has been a real deterioration in people’s behaviour over the last few years. Not just using phones rudely, but vaping indoors, smoking in non smoking areas, kids who aren’t being taught the concept of a queue, nobody offering their seats to people who clearly need them more, parents sending their children into school and being shocked that the rules are being enforced etc. And when the fuck did everyone collectively decide it was ok to smoke weed wherever and whenever you like?

Nobody seems to give a shit about anyone else, just as long as they’re ok.

I never understand why people pay a lot of money to go to a gig, the theatre or a sporting event and then talk all the way through it. And they always sit behind me! They take no notice of what is going on the stage or pitch Just why? If you want to catch up with your mates to go the pub or restaurant. Please.

I commute every day and I am regularly driven demented by what I consider anti social behaviour. At least twice a week its annoying enough to get up and move to sit somewhere else (or even stand) to get away from it.

Last week I had a guy sitting next to me - he was wearing ear bud type headphones but i could hear every single word of the song. The person behind also had "leaky" headphones so I could hear just the beat of the song and a person a few rows away was playing a kids video or game without any headphones which was really repetitive and annoying.
Another day I had someone brushing their teeth next to me!
Frequently there are people taking up 2 seats with their bag on one of them.
I also think its all ages behaving unsociably

I was surprised when you said only a few years ago it wasn't like this because it has been for many more years. This has been life now for so long on public transport, walking down the street, everywhere! Just yesterday a boy on a bike almost knocked me off my feet cycling fast with headphones on, didn't even acknowledge.

You’re absolutely right OP. I agree wholeheartedly.

Hmm do you remember when punks used to go around with ghetto blasters on their shoulders?

Society has always had inconsiderate people. It just evolves into different forms.

Bless.

I think it’s a combination of factors.

Children aren’t being raised to be patient, thoughtful or considerate.

Everyone else does it.

Every piece of content on a phone is a noisy video or game, where once, it was text.

I’d say it all started about ten years ago.

Common decency is dead and you’re considered a snob if you have manners and demonstrate decorum. You’re not ‘keeping it real.’

There weren't 5 or 10 ghetto blasters in every carriage though?

We went to the beach a while ago and some teens turned up, not with a ghetto blaster but a full size speaker. Turned it on full volume and nearly all of them then got into the sea. Only then one person left who then seemed to actually be embarrassed as she’d been left and everyone was looking, and we were also taking the piss out of their music she turned it down. Of course it went back up later when the others came back.

Then we were on a train and two different girls at different times were having a conversion with the loud speaker on. Which baffled me as you could hold it to your ear and why would you want anyone to hear your convo? So I just looked directly at them a few times. Then slowly they both went to putting it to their ear like oh god this person can hear me. Like wtf? How can you not realise.

Today I had to go to a pharmacy located in the huge local Asda. Unfortunately I arrived just as the pharmacist was about to go on break so I had to wait 30 minutes til she returned. However she was kind enough to get me a chair to sit on outside while i waited. The roller shutter was only half closed although there was a clear notice advising customers that the staff were on break. A stream of people arrived, stared at the notice, then looked about helplessly as though the end of the world had arrived. Some attempted to duck under the barrier and go inside. I told each one that staff were on break and would return at 1pm. They were bemused. However most formed an orderly queue when the staff returned.

I wonder what people like this would do in a real emergency. It does not inspire me with confidence.