Please and thank you seem to be out of favour these days, I may sound like an oldie reminiscing about yesteryear when people seemed to have more time for each other.

In these times of instant gratification and sense of entitlement politeness has flown the coop. Personally I think that we as a people should bring back these ‘traditions’, making our environment a more pleasant place to live in.

Good manners cost nothing and the acknowledgement can make someone’s day.

Our language is constantly evolving, but not always for the better, please has been replaced with now and thank you has been dropped altogether.

This development has also moved into other gestures or unspoken language too, a tip of the hat, a hand gesture signalling please go first, holding or opening doors for someone, flashing your vehicle lights allowing passage and the flash or wave back in thanks. Superseded are the hug or kiss on the cheek of hello, a simple handshake even, with the insincere all-encompassing “you alright mate?”

It’s almost all gone as we are more self-absorbed with our needs, our troubles, our universe we are quickly losing the ability to communicate physically with each other. Sadly, along with this comes the diminishing ability to care. Where we had communities, that looked out for each other, we now live in mass urban sprawls of 000’s of strangers, all minding our own business.

Historically people have moved where the work is, then moved out as they became more prosperous. During the industrial revolution, the populous moved to the city for factory work and the promise of great things. As the industrial nation matured, consumer ‘power’ grew. With the advent of commuting culture people moved to the suburbs or outlying villages, regaining the smaller domicile community. That’s where I grew up and look back on it fondly.

We are now in the return cycle of moving back into the city again hunting for the urban easily accessible ‘lifestyle’, again, in my mind, losing the human touch as we become all stacked upon each other fighting for our individuality and personal space. Which is a shame but also the beauty of our adaptability as a species.

On a personal note.

Moving to the city and living here for many years, was a ‘rebellion’ against my childhood and country life. Recently however, having spent some time, even if only briefly, living the village life again, seeing familiar faces sharing a “good morning” and a “hello” have been like a breath of fresh air compared to the selfish atmosphere, the stagnant smog of town.

A dear friend of mine recently said “I’ve lived in the city, twice, hated it both times and never again” I’m inclined to agree.