I’ve been noticing something lately that really troubles me a lot. I supposed it’s a “trend” that’s been going on for quite some time now, but it’s been only recently that it has directly affected me, I suppose. It’s been glaringly obviously of late that people just do not know how to be civil to one another anymore! It seems no one can control their temper or their tongue. What happened to the fine art of diplomacy? What happened to voicing ones opinion in an intelligent, civil manner and then listening to someone else’s opinion respectfully, if even it is not in accordance with your own? Does that even happen anymore??

For example:

I could not sleep the other night, so as is normal for me, I was cruising the web. I always love learning new things about my dogs, of course, so it’s kinda’ fun to find new places to do so. I came across a “dog training and advice” forum and thought I’d take a look. Well, I’ll tell ya’ what, I saw one topic where a woman had asked a simple question about breeding her dogs, and was instantly “attacked” for it. Members, and even moderators, began berating her for wanting to breed dogs who weren’t champions and titled, etc., etc. They were extremely rude and downright mean to her! So, being the big mouth I am, I just had to say something! ;) What I said, though, was worded in a respectful manner, saying only that I thought they would get their point across much better if they said it in a more polite tone. I told them that people close their ears instantly when being “attacked” and that they were defeating their own purpose by being so rude. And of course I endeavored to point that out as politely as I could. So I’m sure you know what happened. I was attacked, as well. It was really quite unbelievable! What’s up with that???

Furthermore:

My sister lives in a large housing/apartment complex across town. The other day they were all notified of an emergency meeting for all tenants, where they were told of some illegal activities being perpetrated by unknown residents of the complex. Management just wanted them to be aware, ya’ know? Well, before you knew it the whole meeting turned into a free-for-all between residents, to the point that two men from the main office had to be called down to help break up a couple’a guys who were fighting!! My sister just stood up and left, completely disgusted. Again, unbelievable!!!

So what’s happened to our civility, people? It is said we live in a civilized society, but lately I have a hard time saying that’s entirely true. Civil as compared to what?? We kill each other. We get so pissed in traffic we get out and beat each other up, or worse, kill each other. We rob, rape, yell and scream at each other. We hit instead of talk. We have parents fighting each other at their kids’ sporting events. We have television shows and movies and video games which glamorize killing and desensitize our children to the real-life effects of such actions. We have politicians who take bribes, pay bribes, solicit teenagers, lie about everything and even have sex in the offices where we, their constituents, put them. We have parents abusing their kids, and kids killing their parents. And we have people going into schools to kill the most innocent of our so-called civil society - our children.

So, tell me … where, exactly, is the civility???

UPDATE: Well, lookie here, just when I’m losing my faith in people. (Turn up the volume, and if you’re like me, you’ll need a kleenex! *sniffle sniffle*)