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I know some people are probably thinking of the 'good old days' where places like Downton Abbey and A Place to Call Home are set when I talk about etiquette. However, I am talking about the subtle points of etiquette that we have lost just over the last few decades. The most annoying of these that I want to get off my chest right away are related to Public Transport such as trains, buses and trams. First, who would not surrender their seat to an elderly person or a pregnant woman? Apparently many would not. I travel on trains maybe once a month and every time I see an elderly person being forced to stand while some teenager or young adult (in their 20s) is sitting down. The worst part is when they think that they have the right to take up one seat for themselves and another for their bag. Plus, since there are student and concession tickets they aren't even paying the full fare which means, by rights, that if a full-fare paying customer rides on the train they get priority seating to someone on a reduced fare. It is just absurd that someone would do this in today's age. A few years ago if you were to do this you would be publicly humiliated by those around you. If looks could kill you would be dead. Another problem with public transport etiquette is when people are on the platform trying to get on the train when there are people already on the train wanting to get off. I can still remember whole advertisement campaigns educating people about this. About how people getting on the train have to wait for the people to get off first before they can go on. For me it's a struggle just to get out of the train because of the amount of people pushing against you. It's most annoying when they give you the evil eye like you've done the wrong thing. It really is infuriating!
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Money really is more of an ethical dilemma now than it ever was before. It is also a point lacking in etiquette. Back in the good old times of Downton Abbey to ask a lady for some money (even your own sister) was the pinnacle of shame and it was even worse to ask a man. Such an act was a sign of weakness and yet today we have people 'borrowing' money everyday. At least the people in the Downton Abbey era had a higher chance of paying back the debt than there is now. It really does make me wonder where humanity is going. This also happens on dates where the man sometimes expects the woman to pay for what she ate or pay for the whole meal. How absurd (and incredibly selfish)! Also related to dining is the way some people eat and their mannerisms. Whatever happened to elbows off the table as a sign of respect? Although I must admit I am a major culprit of this. One thing I am glad about is that the etiquette of burping as a sign of respect has died out in Australia (would someone please tell my dad that, he must really respect me a lot). Can you imagine that? I don't think it ever really became a 'thing' in Australia but it certainly did in some cultures and even today I think it still occurs. Imagine the people in Downton Abbey burping. Although by the way some people act on that show I don't think there would be a lot of burping anyway. Etiquette really is simple stuff and yet is lost on today's society.
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