This is a question — an unfortunate one — that I’ve been asking myself on a more frequent basis.
Recently, I began to reflect on the start of my travel journey and how society’s approach to travel has dramatically changed. And, unfortunately, I believe, not for the better. We’re at a moment in time when it feels like travel, as we once knew it, is a remnant of the past. One example is the frequent and disturbing news stories of airline passengers attacking each other and/or airline employees. These tragic turn of events seem to be at an all time high. What is happening to us? Have travel manners become extinct?
So, to better address this unfortunate phenomenon, I decided to take a look back. A walk down a “travel manners memory lane “– a time when air, train and boat travel wasn’t necessarily for the masses. A time when we dressed up for dinner, behaved while dining in restaurants and didn’t film and post every detail of our lives. Perhaps, the last year has exasabated society’s decrease in civility in all aspects of society. But that analysis I’ll leave for behavior therapists, sociologists and the like. For this post, I’ll just tackle the travel side of manners. So, to understand the decline in travel manners , we must first take a look at the past.
Are you one of the “older generation” who remember when traveling was a privilege?
Not so long ago, perhaps prior to the 1990s, people actually “dressed up” to go out to dinner or board a flight. Wearing a tuxedo or ball gown wasn’t a requirement for these activities but jeans, shorts and sneakers were worn only at fast food restaurants. Clothing that covered the body was essential. Travelers were also respectful of airline employees, from the ticket agent in the airport to the flight attendant onboard. And most importantly, we were respectful to each other and those around us.
Of course, the blame can’t be placed on just the the everyday folk who want to travel . Factors such as social media, mental health issues and personal entitlement have attributed to this decline in manners. “A survey in 2018 found that 74 percent of Americans believe we have become more rude and less critical of behavior we used to scorn, such as using cellphones in restaurants and cursing in public.”https://www.denverpost.com/2019/10/17/whatever-happened-to-manners/ So…
Why can’t people just follow some basic etiquette rules?
Today, there seems to be resistance in conforming to what was once considered societal norms or just doing the right thing. The way you behave is up for grabs. Societal woes have spilled into all aspects of life. It seems that there isn’t one aspect of society where rudeness hasn’t become a problem. Houses of worship, businesses, schools, airports and the list goes on.
And that leads me to some basic travel manners. And honestly, none of these are asking too much.
- Personal space — This really is a no brainer but there are those out there who just don’t get it. And I know there are many of you who know exactly what I’m talking about. This applies to not just travel but our general daily lives. Whether on line in a store or sitting next to someone on a plane or in a restaurant, respect my space. Don’t get so close that I feel your breath on my face.
- Keep your conversations to yourself — Believe me, no one really cares to hear your conversation. And talking loudly on your phone is just plain rude.
- Food — Eat quietly and try not to bring the smelliest food item when you know you’ll be a confined space.
- Hygiene— Use of deodorant and a shower is a nice thing.
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Honestly, I’m not sure how we’ll be able to reverse this very disturbing trend. I’m just venting my feelings and I’m sure there are those out there who feel the same.
Those on the front lines of society– the workers who deal with the populous face to face each day — are the ones who are taking the brunt of this. Restaurant workers, salespeople, cashiers, travel industry workers etc… — I appreciate and respect you and hope that more people will start doing the same.
