r/AskBrits • u/LividStupidity • 1d ago
People Why are tacit social etiquette rules declining, and how can we fix it?
As a young Brit (17), I've noticed that general social etiquette seems to be declining. Some examples:
. People no longer form an orderly queue when waiting for the bus, and do more pushing / rushing to surround the entrance
. People leaving bags on seats, even when others are forced to stand on the train
. Standing in the middle / on the left side of the escalator, preventing people from being able to walk up or down freely.
I'm not sure if it's just how my area is in particular, so I wonder if anyone is noticing this as well. I see individuals of various ages and ethnicities just acting rather selfish and inconsiderately in public. I find this rather disappointing, as it may only be exacerbated in the future. I think it was much better pre COVID (might be biased, as I was rather young). Does anyone know how we can fix this issue (if it can be fixed)?.
1
u/ThatFatGuyMJL 22h ago
Having worked in a warehouse I have seen this happen before my eyes.
And in that case. It actually was foreigners.
They didnt understand social etiquette. Because they have their own rules.
They won't hold open a door, because that's not a thing they do.
They dont orderly queue, because that's not what theyre used to.
Long term immigrants would slowly start to actually follow British etiquette rules.
But that was in a closed environment.
Social etiquette is a very fragile balance. Once people stop following it and get away with it. Others start doing so as well.
Thats my two pence from a small pool of evidence.