To think that social standards have slipped because people don’t feel shame anymore?

[ForBreezySloth]

It feels like over the last couple of decades, a lot of social standards have gone downhill - not just in how people behave in public but in how they present themselves, how they speak to others and even basic manners.

It used to be that certain things were considered embarrassing and that kept people in check. Now, it’s almost like there’s a pride in being shameless. Noisy phone calls in public, wearing pyjamas to the shops, blasting personal drama online - there’s no sense of “maybe I shouldn’t do this.”

I’m not saying people should live in fear of judgement but has the pendulum swung too far? Has losing a sense of shame made society worse?

Enough internet?

I don't think there is a particularly interesting discussion to be had with anyone who believes rapists, murderers and paedophiles should never feel ashamed?

Shocking and depressing absolutely, but that's about it.

Yeah course. Even you don’t believe that.

i agree, you’ve had enough internet for today

I think if an individual wants to take a negative emotion like shame or guilt and use it to motivate themselves to be better person then good for them, I'm all for that.

I don't think you can do that for someone else by trying to make them feel shame or guilt.

I agree with the idea of the social contract being a factor. In a situational context - one person or a group of people in a public place behaving in a way that negatively impacts everyone else - it takes a more immediate form in that the concept of a community, an "us" with some common needs and interests, is eroded. We used to have the idea that by behaving in a polite or considerate manner (not necessarily proactively, but at least not interfering with others) we'd do our bit in keeping public space pleasant and functional to maintain a mutually agreed upon public order or common good.

But if it seems that good (or at least not-bad) behaviour isn't reciprocated because so many people are doing absolutely whatever they can get away, it may start to seem foolish to make any effort make others more comfortable. Naturally people resist this; THEY won't change their lifelong behaviour just because others are rude or ignorant. But when the more considerate, civic-minded behaviour is no longer the norm, people who grow up with or become used to the ruder version may just go along with it (along with anyone else who just doesn't want to bother for whatever reason).

I wonder if the prolonged break from really ANY face to face contact with strangers, along with the unusually strong regulation of behaviour when IN public, that we saw during COVID artificially accelerated an ongoing decline. I also think the increased fear of speaking out in case of violent retaliation sometimes plays a part. I only care about the behaviour that impacts me, though - person in the next seat blasting music with no headphones all through an eight hour flight drives me crazy. Person in the next seat wearing an ill-fitting mismatched clown suit, cowboy boots, and a tiara? Perfectly fine.

Erm I don't think it's the younger generation, I'm in my 60's and I see it in all ages including my own and some people older than me

Could you two not just agree to differ? It's getting frustrating trying to read around your childish argument.

Did the dog shit duo kill the thread? That's a shame.

Hahaha, I see what you did there 🫠🤣

Money has nothing to do with manners and decorum.

Having grown up in Australia, I would agree with UGG boots. They used to be purely indoor slippers and only ‘bogans’ used to wear them outside in their country of origin. I was utterly shocked and horrified that Britons of all classes wore them in the street, that even really ‘smart’ ones from society families wore them on their way to work etc. I thought everyone had lost their minds, I still do.

OP, you are 100% correct.