Comments on: Are we really so laid back?

By: Lou Redknap

Lou Redknap — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:50:37 +0000

Australians are not perfect - who is?? But, I think Australian ocker blokes, with the singlet, bumcrack, thick socks and boots, are among the most genuine men anywhere. They’d give one the shirt of their back. Well, that’s been my experience. God bless’em.

“Lou”

By: Kristina

Kristina — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:01:30 +0000

Lovely post! I think it may be a sign that society is becoming increasingly narcissistic? Also as you suggested, a lot of suppressed anger surfacing as rudeness (a dysfunctional and passive-aggressive way to ventilate)…

Politeness and not being sloppy (for example when writing e-mails etc) is SO important.
It shows so much about how much attention/care you are willing to share.

Of course, polite manners should at closer examination be accompanied by a kind heart

Kind regards,
Kristina

By: Meg

Meg — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:54:57 +0000

I am forever getting weird looks from people when ever I hold the door open, or hold the lift.
Even when I left others in when I’m driving gets a lot of odd looks.

Living in the country it’s easy to just be that polite, but I’ve noticed that since I’ve moved up here in the last 10 years my “city” ways have changed.

Now I know I learned first hand how rude people can be, when I was on crutches and people just walk straight in to you, or see that you’re struggling and don’t even ask if you need help.

The only time I get a bit shirty is when people just expect you to do things for them, with a loud annoy cough or give you a dirty look, Sorry I wont get up off the seat if you are going to act like a prick, ask me nicely and I might, but demand it from me gets you a very open negative.

By: WaterDragon

WaterDragon — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:14:05 +0000

Maybe I’m just getting old, but true manners appear to be a thing of the past in Australia.
Motorists no longer move to the left to let an ambulance go by or do the same on long narrow roads for tired lorry drivers.
Truck drivers don’t wave to kids, they bully their driver parent instead.
Kids think a seat on transport is first come, first served.
Please, thankyou and “it was nice of you to have me over” are mere ghosts of a forgotten past.
Speaking ill of the dead and nasty gossip are the norm, because thinking a lot but saying little has gone from the rule book.
In fact the rule book has disappeared.

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:00:37 +0000

Being laid back is a great thing. I’ve never been to Australia, but the same concept you’re trying to get across applies everywhere. I’m from Hawaii and Hawaii is a really laid back place also. However, just as in your neck of the woods, modern life has caused many to tense up and forget about common courtesy and politeness. But I believe in being hopeful and understanding.

By: Anonymum

Anonymum — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:45:24 +0000

Colin: You’re right. It is a human right, but not everybody sees it that way…

Naomi: To a degree I agree with you. I’m more than capable of doing these things for myself too, but I still like having it done for me, so long as it’s done in the right context. If a man is doing it simply to big note himself, then it’s a problem. My father does it because that’s the way he was bought up, as was my husband. There are many men like it, and I enjoy it. It’s people such as these who still have a grasp of reality. I also agree elderly, feeble ot disabled sbould have it done for them too. And I do. I think nothing of holding the door for the next person. I guess my point it that basic manners are seemingly missing in many situations, and find it sad is all

Gaida: People are just so engrossed in their life {and to a degree, understandably} they do miss a lot, but then with kids into so many things these days that part I can see why. I find that friends enhance my life, as does spending time with them you know? Table manners? I’m so pedantic about them, so I really hear you there….

By: Gaida

Gaida — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:50:59 +0000

I think the only time a lot of us Aussies are ‘laid back’ is when we finally hop into bed to get some sleep.

Busy lives often have us forget simple pleasures of life.. a smile or even a kind word. I do try to take time for the little things… appreciating a sunrise or sunset.. the formation of the clouds. My son thinks I’m a little strange when I comment on things like that.

For many of us we are so busy rushing around.. especially as parents with all the after school activities to even take time to catch our breath.

It’s important to try to gain some sanity into your day… just by taking some ‘just for you’ time.

Must admit I do like manners…especially table manners. Long gone are the days when a man tipped his hat at a lady. Now that was certainly an era in my grandads days!

By: Naomi

Naomi — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:19:31 +0000

I’m one of those feminists who sees little point in being especially ‘polite’ to women. Surely anyone who’s a little feeble, or disabled, or tired needs a seat given up to them or a door opened to them. I’d much rather see a REAL gentleman open the door for a fellow male on crutches than for me - right now I’m quite capable of doing it myself. Perhaps the whole ‘chivalry’ thing has been soured beyond repair for me by seeing too many people use up their energy in unnecessary chivalry, and have no energy left for helping people who really, really need it. Certainly I’ll smile and say “thank you” if someone opens a door for me or pulls out my chair - and all I ask in return is that they do the same if I return the favour. Sometimes, I think, people get too caught up in _forms_ of courtesy and lose the reality of it.

By: Colin Campbell

Colin Campbell — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:27:47 +0000

I enjoy giving and receiving politeness and friendly human interactions. I think that those are basic human rights.

By: Anonymum

Anonymum — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:41:56 +0000

Tom I mkae no secret that I LOVE those types of things. I enjoy having the door opened for me, a chair held for me and all those things feminists tell me set the movement back 100 years. Is it really so hard to be polite and treat a woman like a woman? And I find it sad that women aren’t used to it,
It’s society as a whole isn’t it? There’s little consideration for anyone other than their own little world sometimes. That’s a generalisation btw. It jusst seems that more and more people are becoming so tied up in their own world and lives that those around them don’t seem to count.
Maybe I’m just getting old?