What's happened to people ?

[blues90]

In the 70's during a cold sleating day in Chicago just before I could make the turn into the gas station I ran out of gas , what I got was that's what you get for buying a ford . I began pushing my car and suddenly it moved easier , I turn and a female was helping me push it .

In 1973 I was driving the tow truck for a gas station I worked for , I was cut off the road and the truck hit the curb at 65 MPH and flipped and rolled several times and ended up , up side down in a ice water filled ditch , 5 people stopped and helped me out .

In the late 80's as I was driving to work an elderly lady fell off the sidewalk and into the street and cars went around her . I was 10 cars behind the intersection not on the street she fell on and tried to get out then a man in an expensive car pulled over to help her up .

In 2003 is was test driving a ranger that the brakes were repaired on at the dealership i worked at . I had the green light however even though I was moving slow a women across the intersection made a fast left from the far right lane , i hit the brakes and i did not slow . we hit , the air bag went off and I could not see or breath and tried to get out , good thing I forgot to remove the shoulder belt , if it were not for it pulling back in i would have been run down . I got out , found the car with the women trying to drive off , she couldn't . I asked if she was ok and she just said , It was my green light .

Then horns blew and people yelled get your damn truck out of the way . Not one person helped or asked if I was ok , just get out of the way .

I was in a daze from the airbag impact but could not believe the way people acted .

I fear people are on their own now days , it is a sad thing to have to accept this .

[The Straight Story]

1. The people who didn't stop to help were rushing to post on GDP

:rofl:

[dana_b]

2. man, that's awful!!

I'm sorry that happened but I know what you mean. How did you get out of that last situation?
People have gotten so self absorbed, in such a damn hurry that we don't take time for the really important issues, like helping out a fellow human being. Hopefully you see a bit more of the good in people soon. That good man in your avatar left an awesome legacy and I wish more would learn and live it.

[blues90]

16. I was able to get back in the ranger

and steer it to the curb with the left front tire rubbing on the bent in front bumper and call work on my cell phone . The women walked down the street saying she was late for an appointment .

I had sore shoulders and arms from bracing for the impact and burns from the airbag and lost my watch which was ripped off from the bags blast .

I never experienced an airbag go off . It's as loud as a shot gun blast and the smoke chokes you and it burns your eyes . My eyes were ringing .

[mak3cats]

3. "Who cares as long as I get what I want?"

That's the attitude I find most prevalent today. It seems that good manners are a thing of the past. Which leads to it being rare that a day goes by where I don't say to myself at some point "I hate people!". Unfortunate, but true.

[kestrel91316]

15. My ex-DBF had that attitude, which would be why he eventually

became my EX.

In LA we call it "Hurry Disease" - symptoms include talking on cell phones while driving, racing and swerving through rush hour traffic, and shoving people aside in stores and other public places. It's an epidemic.

Makes me hate the human race, too.

[Triana]

25. I have a 26-year old employee with that attitude (n/t)

[flvegan]

4. I've noticed this a number of times. My personal experience

leaves me sorely disappointed in people. Every time I see a wreck, I stop. Sadly, even though I'm one of 20 folks that witnessed it, I'm usually stopping all by myself.

Sign of the times. Selfish, self-absorbed times.

[laylah]

5. I wish I knew...

I vividly remember the world as you remember it. :cry: I don't know what to say except you are not alone! :hug:

[hootinholler]

6. It comes with the fear and loathing...

People are afraid they will be on the street, and nobody is talking about bringing those responsible to justice.

Well, a few are.

I still stop to help people if they look like it's needed.

-Hoot

[angrycarpenter]

7. Ronald Reagan

Sometime after he was elected it became our patriotic duty to scorn the less fortunate as losers. Life became a bloodsport where the losers were to taunted and spit upon for not finishing first. People were homeless because they were lazy. People got AIDS because they were sinful. Bad things happen because god wants it that way, who are we to fight the will of god.

Jesus became a vengeful, angry smiter. The me generation became the fuck you generation where kicking someone when they were down became a virtue and hate became the new love. Forgiveness has become a mortal sin.

There are still a lot of good people in the world but there are no longer enough to offset the monolithic selfishness of the American people.

[elizfeelinggreat]

9. amen

Reagan, Reagan, Reagan.

That's what happened.

And the party of Greedy Old Perverts has been providing cover for selfish people ever since.

[blues90]

13. Yeah , good old Reagan

What a freak . All those people tossed out of the mental instituions were all over this area and they too were ignored and avoided like a disease .

Something has died in the hearts of people in this country , just common curtesy is gone for the most part .

If I were to ignore someone like that my conscience would haunt me for months if not longer . I don't know , I have not tested it out and don't intend to .

[Initech]

20. That is the way I see it.

Reagan is like Helena Bohnam Carter's character in Fight Club - everything was running smoothly then he shows up with his me-first-fuck-you attitude and completely ruins it.

[Zorra]

23. Yeah...I totally agree. The Reagan era corrupted the collective heart and soul

of America.

Ronald Wilson Reagan.

666.

Not a believer in mythology, but the shoe fits big time,

[OzarkDem]

29. and the emergence of right wing hate radio & tv

which drilled the message home to the public 24/7.

[Robeson]

38. That was my first thought, too.

[Skittles]

46. absolute,ly, reagan ushered in the ME ME shit

:puke:

[RedEarth]

8. I don't think there's any question people are a lot more rude and aggressive

than 30-40 years ago(and I'm 60 now, so I remember that far back). I think there is a huge difference. You see it when you stand in line at stores, when you're driving, in sports...it's through-out society.

Our police department has set up a special unit just to concentrate on aggressive drivers...they were getting so many complaints from citizens(me being one) they felt it was warranted that some officers strictly focus on this.

I'm sure there are a multitude on reasons why society is like this now, but whatever the cause, it certainly isn't as pleasant as it used to be.

[blues90]

11. I know , you are a year ahead of me on this planet

I know it was never anything like this . Not long ago I was always helping two women who still live in the building I live in > No matter what it was if they called I would help . I fixed their cars and went out of my way to pick them up if they needed a ride .

My battery died a half mile from here in a parking lot and I called both . Both told me they were going out and in a hurry . Even when I told them I have cables and it's on your way all you need to do is sit in your car for a few seconds .

I ended up walking back to my car and a fellow who worked in an aquarium shop that I used to go in gave me a jump . And still when they call I help because it's just not in me to say no when there is no reason to sit here and let someone suffer .

I see this in stores and many other places . It's me first get out of the way .

These tiny things I do like helping an older lady get her shopping cart over a curb or getting something off shelf when someone can't reach it in a store are a second out of my time yet other people seem to somehow move away to avoid helping anyone .

[sweetpotato]

10. Its all about ME

:sarcasm:

Who cares, as long as I get what I want.

I'll do whatever I like until somebody makes me stop.

If I don't look at you, you don't exist.

And, at the same time, I'm afraid of everyone out there because my authority figure told me to fear everyone else.

Combo platter, really.

[MedleyMisty]

12. When the nation is run by genetic psychopaths

people who are susceptible to psychopathy will adopt it as an adaptive strategy.

[bobbolink]

14. Try being homeless. Then you'll REALLY know just how alone you are!

"could not believe the way people acted ."

Welcome to my world.

:cry:

[blues90]

18. I see how they are treated here

Like so much garbage . It's scary an my wife and I are not that far from becoming homeless . I have been homeless in my 20's and 30's but I had a van and some stuff to sell for food , I doubt now a year away from 60 I could handle it .

[Fireweed247]

17. Should we accept this?

I wish we could turn it around.

Unfortunately the television plays a huge role in rearing the future generations, and it ain't looking good for us.
Look at the 'role model' leading the country. Until we change our values as a culture, we are screwed. If we could somehow turn it around to scorn on the greedy, the hypocrites and mean people, and instead admiring people because they are kind and generous to others, because they follow the true teachings of Jesus. But right now, the crap is floating to the top, not the cream.

[shireen]

19. it's troubling

Callousness is on the rise.

People often tell me that I'm a kind person for doing this and that ... and all i want to do is hit them. Why should what I do be so unusual that it's noticed by others? I'd much rather see it as the norm. Caring for, and supporting others should come naturally, it should be a fundamental part of being human. Or maybe I'm delusional. Whatever. It's times like these that I am glad I don't have kids. We leaving them a very messed-up world.

[blues90]

22. If we had kids I know my wife and I would be going out of our minds

[bobbolink]

27. "People often tell me that I'm a kind person for doing this and that ... and all i want to do is hit

them"

:rofl:

Sorry, I know exactly what you mean, but it just struck me funny.

It's all so pathetic, that I guess I'm at the point of trying to find some humor.... some where......

:hi:

[shireen]

39. i hear ya, Bobolink... if we don't find humor in this crap, we'll go nuts... nt

[lonestarnot]

21. Nutty ass world. Be careful out there.

[citygal]

24. I am really sad to hear that.

I think the "Bush mentality" of me me me (worse than Regan) has encouraged people to not help one another.

I still hope that there are more good people than bad out there. I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the masses.

[troubleinwinter]

26. two weeks ago, my (mid+ 70s) dad and his pal,

of the same age were struggling to muscle a 36" TV onto a pickup. It was HEEEEAVY. A fellow driving by stopped and lent a hand, but finally said, "Lemme just do it." He simply picked it up by himself and put it in the bed. Dad says the guy was maybe 35 or 40. He smiled, waved and drove off. Now, that fella didn't have to stop, but he did.

On the other hand, I'm in my mid 50s+ and I tripped and fell over a curb going into the market. There were 4 young men, 20s standing there looking at me. I was somewhat hurt. None asked if I was OK, none offered me help up. They just looked.

A year ago, I tripped over a curb and fell while carrying a banner to a parade (wasn't looking over it). A DOZEN middle aged people came over to see if I was alright, and suggested I sit a moment to make sure I was ok before getting up.

Is it generational the way people react?

When I go to the market, young employees often slice in front of me. They do not pause a microscopic split second to let an older customer go by, but rather cut across so that I must stop. It's like they think it's a race to the death, winner take all. Males are the worst.

A few years ago, before surgery, I had an excruciating back problem. This slicing in front of me, forcing abrupt halt caused horrid pain. I would forgive a child running in front of me, but the young 'adults' are just simply fucking rude. Why do they need to rush in front of an older adult rather than simply holding back for a mere half second?


Gotta add: Dad got a nice flat-screen.

[Rosemary2205]

28. "we" were once rude teenagers too.

My siblings and I were pretty well behaved, so I'm told. But we did have quite a few neighbors that constantly complained about our stunts on the bikes and skateboards out in the street. In our 50's our bodies have forced us to slow down. Twenty somethings are still capable of going 0-60 and 60-0 in 1 nanosecond flat. I hate to tell you this, but you are just plain in their way. So am I. :)

Though I do agree the basic selfishness at all levels is increasing, I don't think 20 somethings now are significantly "worse" than "we" were.

[troubleinwinter]

34. I take your point, and agree somewhat, but disagree somewhat.

What blows my mind is that employees are rude to customers. This truly changed about 5-6 years ago. Before that, an employee of a store would pause to let a customer go ahead. Now the employee goes first. If I were a manager and saw this, we'd have a staff meeting and this would change.

I actually don't so much blame the youths for this one, I blame the managers for not teaching young people how to be courteous to customers. I think it is part of a manager's job to impart knowledge to young employees- one generation down to another. Management doesn't give a shit. I doubt management knows shit anymore.

It's all fake now. You walk into a store and you are asked by 10 employees, 15 times, "Hi! How are you?" "Hi! How are you?" "Hi! How are you?" "Hi! How are you?" After being asked two or three times by the same employee, I want to say, "None of your fucking business."

"Have a good one." Good WHAT? Bowel movement? Sexual encounter? What's wrong with just simple "Thank you."?

At least I got to rant. Thank you. Have a good one.

[Lorien]

30. The republicanization of America

It's now a "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" "I've got mine, screw you" world out there. The God-fearin' folks think that everything happens for a reason and that God will take care of his own-so they don't help others. The New Agers use "The Secret" to tell themselves that victims of misfortune wished it upon themselves, so they don't help. People walk into their garage in the morning, get into their car, drive to work and go into their office or cubical, leave work, get into their car, go to the drive through, back into the garage, and into the house to watch "reality" TV. They think that they know the personalities on television, so they have no need for real friendships or relationships. They have no contact with nature, no meaningful relationships, and no outlets for personal creativity-and they wonder why they need that Prozac prescription.

I feel completely isolated in our society, as I'm sure many others do. It's very hard to find like minded people, so I guess that's why I hang out on DU. But I would still rather spend time in the company of friends. Sadly, that seems to be part of a lifestyle that died a few decades ago.

[Forrest Greene]

35. Another Favorite Motto

...is "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger."

In fact, if it doesn't kill you, it usually leaves you broken, crippled, & maimed.

Just sayin'.

[bobbolink]

40. "if it doesn't kill you, it usually leaves you broken, crippled, & maimed. "

Thank YOU!!

I get so exhausted with that damned saying... like, it's OK to do whatever to a person, because they'll get stronger.

BULLSHITT!!

I'm so glad someone else sees the crap in this!

:thumbsup: :yourock:

[troubleinwinter]

36. Could you just STFU? I'm trying to place my Starbuck's order, for kryssakes.

[Karenina]

31. With the economic crash

American society may begin to resemble "Mad Max" in many places.

[Rosemary2205]

32. I have not found that to be true.

I live in a pretty economically disadvantaged area (not the worst mind you, but over 65% of our folks are at or near the poverty line) - folks around here are much better behaved than what I see on the "fancy" side of town. There's less agressive driving (not NONE just less). We have some crime but certainly not more than the fancy side of town. People here are too busy working 2, 3, 4 jobs to fight much.

[Karenina]

33. I'm happy for you that you've been minimally affected.

The South Bronx looked like a war zone when I left NYC so many decades ago. Deterioration of urban areas has been an ongoing, neglected fact of life in America now coming to a neighborhood near you. (That is, unless you KNOW your neighbors and have strong community ties). My fear is that civil society in Ami-land is on a collision course with implosion. A country so steeped in violence, acquisition, exceptionalism, consumerism and arrogance is not well-positioned to withstand a sharp economic decline.

[mitchum]

37. I had car trouble a couple of months ago...

a sudden breakdown in 5 o' clock rush hour traffic, and immediately 3 guys jumped out of their vehicles and helped me move my car.
After that, I removed the bracelet that I had been wearing for the past week...one of those rubber things that read "MISANTHROPE"
Kinda ironic, huh?
There are still good people out there.

[Obamanaut]

41. Don't give up. Some days it works the other way. About 18 or 20

months ago Ms ret88 wrecked her motor scooter. Whilst she was on the road, unconscious, and we were waiting foe EMS, several cars stopped to offer aid. One kind lady held an umbrella over us to give us shade from the June sun. This was on a road that I can ride a bicycle on and not see a car for 30 minutes or more, yet this time there were several and every single one stopped.

[BigDaddy44]

42. Bullshit

Sorry, I'm not buying it. Just Thursday, I was driving in the major snowstorm we had in Ohio. My car (which is horrible in show) got stuck on a busy city street. The guy behind me jumped out of a minivan, pushed me about 20 yards to get me going, then followed me for a half mile to make sure I was still moving.

There are good people, and there are bad people. Always have been, always will be. I'm not buying the notion that all of a sudden its every man for himself. In day to day life i have just seen on indication of that.

[femrap]

43. It's as if everyone knows what is coming

in the future...(not pretty).

The other theory I have is that a country's leader sets a standard for behavior...even if you hate the leader, there is this standard. Personally I think those that voted for W TWICE are a mess cuz they have no one to blame but themselves so they are very, very testy.

I won't forgive them until they beg. That's also my theory for why 'certain' indies and repugs are going with BO...he is offering Unity and forgiveness. That appeals to them so they can get rid of some of their guilt.

Carry guilt around makes people not very good drivers!!! imho. W deceived them and they fell for it....TWICE. Idiots.

I know what you mean about drivers...they have 'W'attitude...WATTITUDE! They act just like W...a bully.

[Irishonly]

44. There Are Both Bad And Good

I find if I look for the good in people I usually find it. I am disabled and I haven't had to carry groceries in the house for years. I go to the same grocery stores and I guess the employees know if I am having a bad or good day because it always seems when I am in a lot of pain I don't have to ask for assistance.

I also am a parent to a teenager. She was taught to RSVP and if she committed to something she had to honor the commitment even if she thought something else that came up later would be more fun. Many of her friends were not taught to honor commitments. If something else came up they would go and sometimes not call. My daughter wasn't singled out. The high school where she attends are full of kids that don't care. On the other hand when she had mono last fall they called her daily, brought her stuffed animals and were worse than mother hens when she returned to school.

Are people ruder? Yes, some people have the manners of a boil but a lot more are just as polite as they ever were. You just have to look sometimes.

[KoKo]

45. They don't know that their candidates are "bought and sold" watch this one:

http://current.com/items/88854218_the_democratic_messiah