To think that people are just getting nastier?

[Arealmanithink]

No event in particular.. Just a general feel.. It seems like people are revelling in the fact that they can "one up" somebody else.. It's not a competition. You don't win by putting someone else down, unless you have a really low opinion of yourself. Is it just me or does that seem to be the trend?

Arealmanithink some woman had a go at me in Sainsbury's car park the other day. I parked my small car carefully in between the white lines next to her car, which was badly parked and not straight at all. There was no where else to park though. I managed to get out okay, but when I returned she had a go at me for not leaving her much room to get in her side. I checked she had enough room before I went into the store.

She was just being nasty and willing to take responsibility for her crap parking. It's easier to blame others for your mistake I suppose.

Thatcher hating, and trying to socially destroy, the working class has left its mark

'I've upped my income, up yours' era during the 80s.

Nope.

Why doesn't anyone ever ask why there's so much good in the world?

If you look, if you're open , it's there all around you.

Not on here obviously , cunts the lot of you

Hidden.. Narcissism seems to be the new religion. Let's all worship me! And follow all MY movements. Because I am the most important person in the world. Maybe I'm just seeing too small a slice of the world..Hmm

I have the feeling that people are much more judgmental of difference than they used to be and what's more that they seem to feel more entitled to criticise. The thing is if that is your personal experience you are likely to think it's general.

Corus. Thanks for making my point

It depends on what your personal experiences are though LaurieFairyCake. I've had loads of grief from others over the last few years and it's hard to see the nice people when you keep encountering twats.

Well hidden, the key is to make sure that those experiences don't change you into a wanker

And you've managed it haven't you

Seriously though, the folks that have done me wrong have all been people I know like family, random strangers not so mych

Trying.. It's not about politics.. I think politics are a reflection of society, not the other way around. Yes they try to do the whole sociological management thing but in the end they are the tools of the voters. Hopefully.

we live in a village where everyone knows everyone. having moved here from London I can see how community has an effect of policing behaviour. In London a stranger could be rude to someone else and then go about their life as it nothing has happened.

in a village you could not do this. for starters everyone would know you were rude/aggressive etc but there is also a positive effect where you are expected to be nice to people you don't know that well.

the downside its a very rich old white area and personally I prefer where I live to reflect the world. it is very homogeneous and I think this is both its strength and its downfall.

trying The divide and rule thing is very evident - even on here, sadly.

But honestly, I still believe that most people are fundamentally good and kind. I mean, I know everyone can have their 'moments' due to being frazzled or worried or whatever but I do believe that the default setting for the majority is 'nice' rather than 'nasty', to put it crudely.

Conference it boggles me that you say people are more judgemental of difference! I think Oscar Wilde would be absolutely incredulous that we have gay marriage and all the single mothers unlucky enough to get pregnant pre 1980, forced and shamed into giving up their children would be sad but pleased to see the life they could have had with their babies in our society. The US has a black president! Can you imagine MLK's reaction to that. It's not perfect by a long shot but it's worth recognising how much the world has improved in the last 100 years.

Corus. I don't expect people to be at my beck and call, I expect them to be helpful (as I do if able) and friendly. NOT contrary or obstructive. We are a team (Ewww did I really say that?) We should try to help each other, but at the same time we have different goals. Shouldn't be hard to meet in the middle, but it seems like there's a majority that are all about self interest.. Am I wrong?

You're quite right, Cailin. Most of the things would have been unthinkable even when I was a young teen.

And I'm not that old.

Arealmanithink Are you a fan of the Lego Movie?

Cailin. No question, it has improved immensely. I fear we are backsliding and becoming less tolerant.

also adverting makes people feel inadequate in order to manipulate them into buying things.

e.g. if you think your hair/skin/whatever looks crap or is crap, you might buy a product to make it look better. but if you think your hair/skin/whatever is ok you don't need to buy anything.

I'm sure there are more good people around than nasty ones.

Every now then, something happens that restores my faith in humanity.
If you go out in London with a buggy, so many people are willing to help.
My friend was given bus fare by a complete stranger when she realised she didn't have any money, another friend was walking with a buggy when it started pouring down and she had no rain protection. A total stranger stopped their car and gave her an umbrella. I could site so many more examples.

The problem online is all kinds of nasty people can get together and have their nastiness 'normalised' due to them thinking so many others are like that. It gives other nasty people the confidence to air their nasty views online and in rl.

Hidden Haven't seen it. Don't want to contribute to anything that has caused me sooooo much pain..

most people are generally 'good' but then we aren't really designed to help others beyond a certain level of connection with us. I found this reference

"More than 7 million children will die this year before they reach their 5th birthday. That number is equivalent to the entire population of New York City. And, even more disturbing, most of these children will die from preventable causes."

originally from USAID.
so....we are kind to people but very shit at the same time to vast numbers. and the quote says many of the deaths are preventable but we somehow don't have the will.....its always someone else who should be doing something differently...