tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post9086055166747039191..comments2024-01-24T11:41:28.022+00:00Comments on A Cuban In London: Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and MusicA Cuban In Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-1805190463772234192013-07-26T15:22:08.873+01:002013-07-26T15:22:08.873+01:00Like cute, yet destructive squirrels in my gardens...Like cute, yet destructive squirrels in my gardens, I have a Love/Hate relationship with cell phones. I do believe they have a great purpose but people have just gone overboard with need to constantly have them to their ear! I become so aggravated at the rudeness cell phones have caused. I as you do not blame the phones but the people instead. Even in the Deep South of the USA where I live, this type rudeness is becoming rampant! It just seems the normal these days. What a shame...Skeeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08222522533934405029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-36847671341638680272013-07-24T02:55:05.226+01:002013-07-24T02:55:05.226+01:00In my day, people who appeared to be talking to th...In my day, people who appeared to be talking to themselves were considered to be crazy. It still appears that way to me, no matter whether there is some concealed device involved or not. Timoteohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08351410966396854582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-44483954681646470312013-07-23T14:23:58.433+01:002013-07-23T14:23:58.433+01:00I have not been here for awhile but have enjoyed m...I have not been here for awhile but have enjoyed my catch-up today - thank you. All best wishes.Susie Hemingwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00936508273837230613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-21238415749871547992013-07-21T11:18:37.708+01:002013-07-21T11:18:37.708+01:00It is harder to keep tempers in check in the hot w...It is harder to keep tempers in check in the hot weather... if you're already feeling uncomfortable in your body, it takes less to tip you over into expressing irritation at other things, I find. It's certainly common.<br /><br />As for the changing nature of technology and interaction... I think you might enjoy this: http://xkcd.com/1227/Rachel Cotterillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08969719330048416996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-66584697258012292692013-07-20T14:54:18.883+01:002013-07-20T14:54:18.883+01:00Such an interesting column. I do not know what gi...Such an interesting column. I do not know what gives rise to such changes - some may blame it on a lack of core values/ religious values/ family values - I don't know - I think that you have nailed two very real points:<br /><br />1. When individual needs and rights are so emphasized, there can definitely be a downside for the community. Somehow the idea of being and expressing yourself forgot the notion that it should not be at other's expense, or at least not in trivial ways or selfish ways - it is a fine line to some - but being yourself against repression seems to be somewhat different than being greedy, selfish, and rude.. <br /><br />2. I think when people feel harassed and ignored and cheated by societal structures, like their government, they can also get more belligerent. You give the example of not enough food in Cuba, but i know in NYC, people can feel very stepped on by the powers-that-be--everything public has gotten so degraded -- that it makes them very angry to other citizens. So if you accidentally knock in to someone, they can turn and shout at you, in part because they themselves simply feel pushed around by bigger powers. <br /><br />Agh. Who knows? Thanks for the interesting column. K. (http://manicddaily.wordpress.com)Outlawyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698845661756444061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-667476729338236902013-07-20T13:27:28.139+01:002013-07-20T13:27:28.139+01:00I agree with you about the behaviors of people. I...I agree with you about the behaviors of people. I don't think impoliteness / rudeness is a new thing ..... but I think this generation of youth is less polite than the generation before. How many young men are even taught that they SHOULD open a door for a woman or elder? Or offer a seat? And no one takes off their hat indoors anymore. And the cell phone truly reigns supreme and interrupts life everywhere...... Enjoy your blog vacation!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07366010389846904663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-53958531086001890262013-07-19T22:40:40.616+01:002013-07-19T22:40:40.616+01:00I have to agree with you totally. There has slowly...I have to agree with you totally. There has slowly been a total erosion of common courtesy over the last few years. I don't know why but it is there just as surely as the sun rises each day. tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-55658397126467367182013-07-19T21:10:53.464+01:002013-07-19T21:10:53.464+01:00great discussion there are still plenty of good fo...great discussion there are still plenty of good folks but I haven't lived in the UK for 10 years it is rude to have phone on here when checking out thoughchow and chatterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04225995063075911644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-39133696543991850802013-07-19T19:40:23.366+01:002013-07-19T19:40:23.366+01:00The lack of etiquette and common courtesy has incr...The lack of etiquette and common courtesy has increased. I think the rules of etiquette have not be passed on as they used to be. Technology presents new situations in which proper etiquette hasn't been defined.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-24808450755402821322013-07-18T17:20:04.351+01:002013-07-18T17:20:04.351+01:00laughing....just was telling my youngest son this ...laughing....just was telling my youngest son this morning to be sure to open the door for the ladies and young girls when he goes into the doors to his "kid's college" today :) Starts with home and you hope it sticks!! Enjoy your vacation from the blog world!! See you in the fall!The Summer Kitchen Girlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14705922236211577732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-2353512482182574922013-07-18T17:03:35.154+01:002013-07-18T17:03:35.154+01:00I used to be a waiter at a restaurant and sometime...I used to be a waiter at a restaurant and sometimes people would be on their phone while I was waiting on them...ruse indeed lol. Optimistic Existentialisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11507986337866049924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-799025217938438162013-07-18T11:34:52.405+01:002013-07-18T11:34:52.405+01:00Great, I find you and you go on vacation, lol good...Great, I find you and you go on vacation, lol good for you loved what you wrote..and i adore the heading to the left, those words mean the world to me...I've just recently purchased a cell phone because when my computer connection goes down so does the phone, so I'ts my emergency phone and calling taxi phone, since I lost my car...It's awful not to have a car anyhoo have a ball a great vacation and come back with great stories I'LL be here :)Out of Sight Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14153612060228196177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-76959823610944353332013-07-18T01:21:32.106+01:002013-07-18T01:21:32.106+01:00I lived in London just a few years before living h...I lived in London just a few years before living here, and I've watched the breakdown of basic human manners over the past couple of decades, as you describe, and I agree it's related to the electronic gadgetry use. <br /><br />I thought that story about the woman in the checkout queue was typical of such a degradation of basic manners....that she wasn't conscious of any one damned thing except herself and her mind, she needed the "slap" the Sainsbury's girl gave her, and I was unimpressed when Sainsbury's 'apologised' to the braindead telephone user. What can ya do....<br /><br />I notice in your Blogger profile you have a Sanskrit poem excerpt....I'd love to know which poem, and see the whole thing...and the Sanskrit :)) Is that possible?♥ Brajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693196044262677095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-89501940646750850292013-07-17T23:39:49.720+01:002013-07-17T23:39:49.720+01:00There is no excuse for the lack of respect of othe...There is no excuse for the lack of respect of others... Have a good blog vacation!sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17499891950639742366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-6066318825042128492013-07-17T21:58:02.644+01:002013-07-17T21:58:02.644+01:00So much food for thought here. Many thanks for you...So much food for thought here. Many thanks for your kind comments.<br /><br />Just an anecdote, something that happened to me last night. I had to stay behind at work and cycled home later than usual. At a set of traffic lights a car pulled up next to me. One of the red lights turned to green to indicate that those wishing to turn left could do so. I smiled at the (female) driver and said: "There's your green!" and continued to smile. The woman looked at me and blurted out: "Shut up!". I still can't understand what I did wrong. Some people might blame the heat. We've seen temperatures rise above 30 degrees. But I cannot do it. That woman was either under the influence of something (there was hatred in her eyes) or she had just had a very bad day. No excuse, however.<br /><br />Have a nice rest of the week.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-4603583903123681732013-07-17T16:48:12.470+01:002013-07-17T16:48:12.470+01:00I so appreciate your assertion that the problem is...I so appreciate your assertion that the problem isn't the technology, and I'm going to be thinking on this idea that rudeness can sometimes grow out of government. <br /><br />However, I must say that I think the woman in line at the market would not necessarily have been rude, had her phone been tucked away in her purse. The issue for the checker was, "I am helping you, so give me your attention." With the phone put away, both parties might very well have had a typically uneventful interaction in which both emerged from the transaction feeling nothing much at all.Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227519811818290510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-88356582002823646882013-07-17T03:49:40.253+01:002013-07-17T03:49:40.253+01:00enjoy your time Cil! enjoy your time Cil! Gloria Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055543111865966546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-60434263445626320682013-07-16T15:59:49.238+01:002013-07-16T15:59:49.238+01:00Yes...society in definitely on it's downward s...Yes...society in definitely on it's downward spiral into destruction.<br />Whatever happened to "love thy neighbour as thyself"?<br /><br />Hope I never become a part of this self-centredness!Ygrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00300519608303898969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-50175611020400772212013-07-16T14:58:51.180+01:002013-07-16T14:58:51.180+01:00There seems to me to be a dichotomy in England now...There seems to me to be a dichotomy in England now. In many parts of the country, I am constantly aware that I mustn't do certain things - forget to say thank you and please, or appear impatient in a shop. It's taken quite badly. And as for not queueing in the post office or something - well! But perhaps in particular defiance of this, there also seems to be an awful lot more gratuitous rudeness here than in other countries. I imagine it's a kind of a rebellion. <br />I think it should be a law that people should give up a seat to an obviously pregnant woman, or an old person. They really do need it, often. And I don't understand why people think children need seats when adults are standing. <br /><br />There again, times change. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-25023424481028260082013-07-16T11:29:00.408+01:002013-07-16T11:29:00.408+01:00I read an article about brain research and cellpho...I read an article about brain research and cellphones. Seems like people actully get addicted to it. <br /><br />Have a nice vacation. NatureFootstephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01340635075481959029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-81814639138285974852013-07-15T16:42:43.531+01:002013-07-15T16:42:43.531+01:00Yes, people have always been rude but cell phone u...Yes, people have always been rude but cell phone use can add danger too. On my bike ride, I encountered a woman not wearing a helmet and biking on the wrong side of the road. She was texting while she biked and would have crashed into me if I hadn't yelled "heads up!"<br /><br />Enjoy your blog vacation! Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-18835461361594142212013-07-15T14:43:31.940+01:002013-07-15T14:43:31.940+01:00Another example of how society is disintegrating. ...Another example of how society is disintegrating. The individual is all!Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-65871437220264354402013-07-15T08:11:59.991+01:002013-07-15T08:11:59.991+01:00So true - this really seems to be the Age of Me Me...So true - this really seems to be the Age of Me Me Me...but I'm hoping the pendulum will swing back again.<br /><br />Enjoy your blog vacation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-24105790881478075772013-07-15T02:10:20.859+01:002013-07-15T02:10:20.859+01:00A bit of wisdom occasionally emerges from the Brit...A bit of wisdom occasionally emerges from the British Isles, and I believe it did when James Frazer wrote "The Gold Bough" and introduced the concept of the "thin veneer of civilization." I further believe what you are describing, CiL, is evidence of the continued erosion of that veneer.<br /><br />Then again, while the concept is real enough, it might be that the veneer always has been more-or-less of a constant density and never really gets much thicker nor ever really gets much thinner.<br /><br />Hmmmm .... I think I am writing myself into a circle, so I will "get while the getting is good."<br /><br />I hope your holiday is enjoyable and rewarding, CiL, and travel safely.Fram Actualhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540773153894050197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-34071712591986503692013-07-14T17:25:58.792+01:002013-07-14T17:25:58.792+01:00i'm worried sometimes about the way things hav...i'm worried sometimes about the way things have changed - it's true - when i was a kid, i learned to leave my seat in the bus to a pregnant woman or elderly people - you don't see this much any more - and as the youth is getting more and more self centered, the not so young seem to get more self-centered as well cause some are just frustrated... ugh...i think we need more role models that walk the humble way - maybe that would help - and we surely need to teach our children<br /><br />....and enjoy your blog vacation...Claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03011763027311966186noreply@blogger.com