It was another warm summer night as we walked the quiet streets of this small river town. For as many years as I can remember, this was a common occurrence for my Grandfather and me. We passed neighbors, shop owners, friends, and others simply outside enjoying the summer evenings.
What I learned at that early age were the “standards” that existed for human interaction. Standards that I would later learn had a lot to do with the return of the Greatest Generation from WWII. Simply, respect (people and property), decency, courtesy, fairness, generosity, and responsibility. These were never spoken of as standards, they were exhibited in everyday behavior. Simply put, they were expected. If you violated one of these, you stood out. – I had my share of standing out.
Over the years, we have wandered to a new place. A place that I question as being good for society in general. You don’t have to look far to see what I am talking about. Watch a news channel or talk show. Go to a sporting event (watch adults scream obscenities). Go to a sale at a large department store. Take an airplane flight. Drive down a freeway (how about I-95 in Washington D.C.). This list goes on.
We have become more of a ‘what is in it for me,’ my needs are more important than yours,’ and ‘in your face’ society. Don’t get me wrong, it is not everyone. However, it has become common enough to be easily observable. To the point, that someone exhibiting exceptionally good standards stands out. Just the opposite of what it was like when I was growing up.
I don’t know where this is going to end up, but it bothers me. Hopefully, over the next several decades we will wander back to better standards of behavior. If we don’t, we become less of a ‘society.’
Thinkin' Things Over 