Manners are SO out this year...

Being a midwestern girl with more than a little in the way of "Southern Charm" I have always been brought up to believe that manners are pretty darn important. Aside from my occasional Tourette's-style bouts with language (meaning that I occasionally bust out a phrase or two that would make a sailor blush) I am what most would consider a very well-mannered individual.

I open (AND HOLD!) doors for people. I often give up the right of way, even though we both know it's mine, and I give people the nod and wave when they let me go first in situations where walking or driving they are kind enough to give it to me. If I bump into someone or step on their foot, I apologize profusely and make sure I didn't do any damage.

"Seems reasonable," you say? Well apparently manners are rapidly becoming as unpopular as requesting "The Macarena."

Based on observation conducted over the last couple of years, I think 2006 is going to be the "year of the RUDE."

People used to be nice... but it's tapering off, and with only a month left until the "year of the RUDE" officially sets in, people are working hard to get rid of any vestiges or indications that they ever had manners. In other words, it's the end of the year, and people are anxious to get a jump on the "year of the RUDE," so they have seemingly abandoned all senses of decency.

I have growing data collected daily, from nearly every human I encounter. It ain't pretty.

I might make myself unpopular by saying this, but I'm boycotting the "year of the RUDE" and I want you to do it too! (And I encourage all of you* to tell your friends to do the same!)

(*Readers from NYC are exempt from this, as manners in NYC have never been fashionable... Though as a reader of the Happy Hour, I'm sure your manners are delightful!)

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I've noted that comments from people who actually know me personally have diminished to something very closely resembling nothing. I got a brief little something outta Ling-Wong on the Hamburglar post, but other than that, it's been a while since I've heard from any of you bitches! I guess it's fortunate for me that the out-of-towners who know me only through what I put up here have taken up the slack in spectacular fashion!

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My brother, who had a court date on his birthday (for a LITTERING ticket!) got off with a $150 fine. Way to go bro! Fight the power!