Falling Standards

[Spruance]

I don't want this to come across as the ramblings of a 'Grumpy Old Man' but a few things recently have really got on my nerves.

Ten days ago I had occasion to complain verbally to a government department about bad procedural practice. I was assured that the matter would be investigated and 'someone' would call me back with the answer later that day. Needless to say they didn't so no surprises there.

Then on Tuesday of this week they called me about an entirely unrelated matter but this was also at odds with what I was expecting to hear and thus I though it prudent to write to them as a natural escalation of my - by then - two complaints.

This morning I had a phone call from the departmental supervisor who seemed to think that she could sweep my letter under the carpet with a verbal explanation. "Isn't someone going to reply to my letter?" I asked, whereupon the tone changed and she said "Oh you want it in writing do you?". Well yes I did want it in writing which is why I wrote in the first place. Surely it is proper business practice that replies should be delivered in the same format as the question unless leave is given to do otherwise? Since my letter already included a request for a written reply why did they think that a phone call would suffice? This isn't the first time I have been dissatisfied with this particular government department's handling of my affairs (you're ok FA it's not HMRC! ) and so I wanted a hard copy letter to refer back to next time something goes wrong. Is that so unreasonable?

...And another thing...

On Monday's One Show on BBC1 BBC iPlayer Link for UK Members (Time Index 21:45) they were interviewing The Duke of Devonshire about his planned auction of surplus antiques. Having referred to him as 'Duke Peregrine' the presenter then opened the interview with "Duke". I thought for a moment that John Wayne had been reincarnated and had walked unexpectedly into camera shot. Whatever happened to 'Your Grace' or for a little more informality 'Lord Peregrine'?

Of course this probably stems from the current sub-culture which demands that Christian names or to be politically correct first names, rule the roost. It is all very well people announcing themselves as Tom, Dick or Harry etc when they call you on the phone but what about if you want to call them back. "Who did you speak to?" - "Tom." - "Tom who?" - I rest my case!

Then there are the people who blithely walk through a door and let it swing back in your face, or who forget to say thankyou when you hold it open for them or even worse roll out some diatribe about being perfectly capable of opening their own doors thankyou!

I am only 51 (well 52 next month actually) but it's not so long ago that good manners and respect of and for others was commonplace. What has happened to change it?

"Manners maketh the man (or woman)"

Rant over. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/wink.gif

[Barbara]

I have to agree with all you say Spru, the country is a changed place and not for the better,I wonder if it's a world wide thing or just here. ?

[Jilly]

Probably just here Barbara, I don't think anywhere else (except perhaps America) has embraced the whole PC thing to quite such an extreme.
Personally I think that if people have got good manners then all this PC business would be redundant anyway.

Jillyx

[JennyWrenn]

Well said Spru

[magrich]

Isn't it lovely to know that you are not the only onr who gets really p...... off with what amounts to bad manners?
I find myself getting really hot under the collar over sooooooooo many things nowadays, especially people dropping litter! I usually stop them, give them whatever they dropped and just say ' I think you dropped this'.
Is it just me who objects to people using my first name without asking me?

[JennyWrenn]

The PM had a great idea maybe some dont know about it

When children am sure some of yu remember taking bottles back to the off licence or shop and getting a refund of a few pence

Dave C wants to re introduce that

For eg he wants to put a few pence ON a bottle or can of beer and then when you take it back you get the same amount back

It will save a fortune on the litter we have to dispose of - I fume every morning when I try to avoid cans and bottles left lying in the road

[Auricula]

Blimey - you lot sound just like my OH ;D ;D
I can't be bothered to get steamed up about things I'm afraid.........live and let live I say ( and I always call people just by their given name - it's friendly )

[JennyWrenn]

I used to work for a Norwegian company, in Manchester, and it is common practice to call everyone just by their surname - for eg if you were called Jenny Smith then you would be called Smith - you even call the Boss by his surname too

Of course they didnt adopt this in the UK but now and again some of the Norwegians forgot and we had to accept it

[farmersboy]

Oct 1, 2010 18:14:35 GMT Auricula said:

Blimey - you lot sound just like my OH ;D ;D
I can't be bothered to get steamed up about things I'm afraid.........live and let live I say ( and I always call people just by their given name - it's friendly )

Quite agree Auricula,ive got too much going on in my life,to worry about what others are doing

[Auricula]

[Spruance]

Yes I quite agree Magrich. Addressing a complete stranger by their first name is the height of bad manners in my book. This is rife in hospitals by all accounts although I must say that when I was in I was always addressed as Mr, but it seems that the older the patient the more likely they are to be addressed informally.

Surely the informality should always be in the gift of the addressee? "Don't call me Mr... call me".... whatever etc.

I have also cautioned people for dropping litter, albeit with verbal abuse as the only result and also I have a particular dislike for thoughtless motorists parking on the pavement as if straddling the double yellow lines renders them immune from prosecution. Talking of pavements what about adults cycling on footpaths?
I can see the logic of children doing this on safety grounds but adults should know better.

[JennyWrenn]

My ex OH used to be addressed as "Sir" ;D

I dont mind being called by my Christian name in some cases - ie meeting a single multi-millionaire for eg

Lady in next office cycling on footpath got knocked off bike by a hedge and fell into the road into path oncoming car - silly woman

[Auricula]

Was the hedge moving or stationary Jenny......and was it hurt

[JennyWrenn]

;D