To be sad at how entitled society seems to be becoming?

Agreed, it's toxic nostalgia about 'the good old days'. Even Plato did it.

Why do you think that? Certainly things weren't perfect but as a rule generally people were more outwardly polite and respectful of each other. Even if they didn't entirely mean it. But decent behaviour standards benefit society as a whole. The people who didn't adhere to that stood out. They don't anymore. It's the norm.

When was this time? If you’re referring to a time before you were alive, how do you know?

I don’t think many black or gay people old enough to remember, for example, would agree with you that the majority of people were polite and respectful fifty years ago.

I'm always puzzled by the assertion that MN is firmly middle class. I feel like more people are of the 'buy clothes second hand off eBay' and Aldi shoppers rather than what I think of as middle class. Also lots of huffing about people sending children to private schools. People seem to discuss their partners or themselves doing shift work which more often than not is not professional middle class type jobs and lots of aggression about professionals like lawyers, doctors and dentists. So I assume the people complaining are none of these and don't mix in the same circles as these professionals. I think MN is quite a mixed bag of people

OP, mumnet always attracts some seriously strange people, who would complain if you gave them 1 million pounds 😂

Thank god I never meet people in RL like on these forums, I think there is a small group of very vocal SM warriors who, hate anything slightly British/English, who feel the government owes them every thing and should fund their entire existence.

You will notice they are usually the same names in group time and time again, which stick to specific post types. They will also usually take over a majority of the posting and it becomes an eco-chamber.

Thank god their skewed views appear only on here, best thing to do is just don't reply to them.

When was this time? If you’re referring to a time before you were alive, how do you know?

Clearly I'm older than you.

I don’t think many black or gay people old enough to remember, for example, would agree with you that the majority of people were polite and respectful fifty years ago

It wasn't perfect. I didn't say it was. The problems that existed then are still here, but far far worse.

I am frequently shocked at the rudeness and aggression some posters show on here to anyone who expresses a view they don't agree with.

I sincerely hope they don't behave like that in real life, or in anyway represent the average woman in Britain.

I absolutely agree with this. I used to work in retail and we'd often get old people who weren't buying anything, but just passing by my dept, who would stop and talk. I always engaged them in conversation if I was able because I was conscious that I could be the only person they'd spoken to that day and that that could be me one day. This was years ago so I think lack of any face to face social interaction must be far more prevalent today. Very sad.

There are still some characters about, but far less than there used to be. I think younger people seem far more conformist.

Why do you think that? Maybe you just didn’t hear about it so much because no internet for people to complain on

Compared to when? When it comes to the west at least, I do not believe we have ever been so concerned with human rights, ‘kindness’, and mental health awareness as we are now. Some of these perceived golden eras have been quite the opposite in reality, what with lunatic asylums and homes for unwed mothers (for two examples).

I’m not convinced that the alternative would be quite as rosy as some may like to believe. I certainly value living for myself over having to live according to the expectations of others (which are no less selfish). I think that is the worse entitlement tbh, the belief that you are owed by other people no matter the impact on them or what their wishes may be.

Why do you think that? Maybe you just didn’t hear about it so much because no internet for people to complain on

The internet is part of the problem when it gathers the worst of people together.

You’re not wrong OP. I totally agree.

Absolutely, agree on both points

I found the pandemic harder as this idea of control surfaced. I’m very glad it’s over although I see remnants on here re of that entitlement

In a time where people were only polite and respectful towards those who they deemed worthy of politeness and respect then I don’t see how you can say “well, things weren’t quite perfect, but they were much better than they are now.” What you mean is that you perceived people behaved better towards you and people like you then, than now.

I suspect we have always been this way, well a small minority of the population. But the difference now is they have a platform to vocalise thier hatred/disgust and they are loud and want to be heard . It's sad but it similar to how we think there is danger on every corner ....there isn't , it's just our perception has changed because everything is now in our hands for us to read.

People should live their lives for themselves. Living life for yourself is not a new idea.However when people just behave and do they want, with no regard for anyone else, then life gets worse for everyone. Including those who are 'living for themselves'.

Not long ago we were mandated by the government to stay inside for weeks or months at a time, with only essential services open. When people grumble about not being able to spend the bank holiday as they wish, I think it brings back memories of those times. People are in general more impatient (Amazon Prime doesn’t help!), but in terms of compassion and tolerance, don’t forget what the last 2.5 years were like - the vast majority of people adhered to the rules for the benefit of others.

It is true that they did adhere to the lockdown rules. And with two years on social media they have emerged angrier than ever.

Who is angrier than ever?

I don’t see it irl, or maybe you mean on mn

I agree. I feel it’s getting worse when I see how pandering and precious parents are now towards their children. Can’t let them ever be put out, can’t let them go without anything and god forbid they ever get bored..
and yet our children are the sadder and more mentally ill than ever.

I find people on Mumsnet appear far more entitled than the ones I meet in RL.

Again and again you see the concept of 'a race to the bottom', which seems to mean that 'I consider that I and or/my special interest group is entitled to fight our way to the top, or cling to our elevated position and just kick the people who are also trying to better themselves, to ensure I/we beat them.'

In real life I have various voluntary roles so I work with a lot of people who are putting themselves out to try to improve life for others. But there is a small but vocal minority of 'service users' for whom enough can never be done and are happy to be quite unpleasant if they don't feel they are getting every single thing they think they should. Often they feel that they have some 'special situation' - usually pretty similar to the situation of many people - that entitles them. It can be disheartening, but cheerful support from fellow volunteers really helps.

I think it’s very telling when shops and cafes etc have had to put signs up saying they won’t tolerate abuse of their staff. I mean seriously - you never had this years ago. It was a given that you just wouldn’t do it.

Also, no-one allows for simple mistakes these days or even things people can’t help! My DH broke down recently in a rubbish spot on the road but the abuse he got was crazy. People telling him how stupid he was to “break down there”! 🙄

Definitely some things that have improved (e.g. I imagine being a minority group back in the 80s would have been pretty shit).

But I don't disagree. I think it's social media - amplifying everybody's voice so that everyone thinks the world should listen to what they have to say.

Which is a good thing on the one hand - levelling the playing field etc. But also a bad thing - as it makes more and more people focus on what they're saying and doing, projecting an image, curating their outward selves - quite inward facing - rather than listening to other people.