Here’s a reader’s opinion from our local newspaper: He says business leaders and religious leaders are becoming more unresponsive and more rude to those trying to contact them.
There’s a shocker, isn’t it? No, not really. If you include basic “incivility” in your understanding of rudeness (and the man’s letter seems to do that), I think you’re talking about something far more widespread than religion, business, and/or our part of the country. America has become about as polarized as I could imagine. From religion, to business, to politics, to sports and entertainment, there is a lack of tolerance (bipartisanship, if you will) in every area of our culture. And when you lack tolerance or understanding of those with whom you disagree, you have little basis for kindness, civility, or courtesy.
In simpler terms: If people who disagree with you are seen on some level as “the enemy” or “the bad guys,” discourtesy and rude behavior become the norm for dealing with them.
So, what are we to do about it? I would suggest the letter writer I referred to above has the right idea for all of us, whether as individuals, business leaders, religious leaders, or in whatever role we find ourselves:
“It is bad manners, bad etiquette, and I hope and pray that these folks read this and glean something from it.”
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
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The world would be a better place if we treated each other with respect.