We're Ruder Than Ever, Poll Finds

ByABC News
April 2, 2002, 7:05 PM

April 3 -- Yammering on cell phones in public; driving obnoxiously; leaving people on hold; cursing and littering. Americans across the country say we are ruder than ever, according to a new survey released today.

Nearly eight in 10 respondents to the poll said lack of respect and courtesy is a serious national problem, and six in 10 said the problem is getting worse.

"They told us directly that it was a real problem," said Steve Farkas, a co-author of the study, which was produced by Public Agenda, a public policy research group.

"They're not talking about table manners; they're talking about treating people in a decent way."

The Effects of Sept. 11

According to the survey, fewer people thought rude and selfish behavior was on the rise than in the past, however. The study — which was conducted in January — found 61 percent agreed there was more rude behavior than in the past.

A January 2000 Gallup poll found that number to be 78 percent. A May 1999 ABCNEWS poll found 73 percent of Americans felt people's manners were worse today than 20 or 30 years ago.

The new poll found 74 percent of respondents said Americans were more thoughtful and caring after the Sept. 11 attacks, but only 34 percent said the change would last for a long time. Almost a quarter said the good feeling had already passed.

What's to Blame?

Survey respondents singled out a few reasons for our apparent increasing rudeness — particularly the impact of new technology.

"If you had to choose a new technology that has had an impact, it's the cell phone," Farkas said. "This really drove people crazy."

More than a third of survey respondents said they were subjected to loud and annoying cell phone conversations. They also emphasized road rage and rude drivers as a serious and growing problem.

People also blamed parents for not instilling courtesy in their children, and popular culture for encouraging rude behavior. A sizable number of respondents — 41 percent — admitted they were even sometimes part of the problem themselves.