Are Simple Manners a Thing of the Past?

Why is good service so rare these days? In our world of competition, service is often the only way a business can differentiate themselves from the pack. Even so, it is so common to receive mediocre service. It seems today that if you simply utilize the basics of common courtesy people are surprised. Returning a phone call, saying "hello" to a customer when they walk in the door, having eye contact when you are talking to a customer, being polite and being honest are a few basics that are not the norm these days. My favorite though is in a restaurant when they are busy - you are standing at the door and employees keep walking by but no one acknowledges that you are even there! It would be nice to get a simple "Someone will be right with you". How hard is that? I can write a novel on the lack of basic manners in general. I can't even tell you how many times my son, who is 7, has held the door open for someone and they don't say "thank you" or even seem to know he is there. There are also times when someone bumps into you or you come around the corner at the same time and almost run into each other - a simple "excuse me" would be nice (that's what I say) but instead people seem to be irritated and rude. Have we reached a point where simple kindness is the exception rather than the rule? I choose to believe there is still hope and will continue to teach my son basic manners and to treat all people with respect. I teach him to be an example, not a warning. We are all busy these days but a "please", "thank you", "excuse me" or "may I help you?" can make a difference in someone's busy day.