Widebrim
I'll Lock Up
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klind65 said:Well, I think there is a general consensus among people that things were better (including good form) in the past ,after all, why are we fans of the Golden Age in the first place? But to answer your question:
I go by the stories of my grandparents who lived in New York during the era (and rode the train), and by what I have gathered from reading books of cultural history, the history of manners, gender relations, feminism, "The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy" by David Cannadine was quite helpful, etc.. My book on Etiquette from 1900 -on indicates what behavioral parameters were expected and observed by most. People then were concerned with good form; there was opprobrium directed at those who abrogated the rules in contrast to today where there are few standards and people do whatever they please, regardless of whether or not it is inconsiderate of those around them. One could cite the "me" generation as being an example of a solipsistic age in which consideration for others falls far behind one's own desires. This ideology is fundamentally antithetical to maintaining a civilized society, especially in a crowded city atmosphere.
Other causal factors contributing to the erosion of the "gentleman's code" for lack of a more concise term, include the entrance of women into the workforce during WW2 and remaining there thereafter, the ascendancy of the "anti-hero" in literature and film and the women's movement of the late 60's and 70's. These social factors transformed the relations between the sexes in many ways but it need not have sounded the death knell for kindness and consideration, which is the basis upon which I rest my objection. I hope this answers your question.
And if it doesn't answer his question, I don't know what will...
Anyway, I do give up my seat to women (note: not usually teen-age girls) on a regular basis when I do have the chance to ride the bus or subway, preferring to stand up until more seats are available. I have rarely seen others do so, except ocassionally for elder women. It may make for an awkward shifting through passengers, but I was reared that way and do not feel comfortable otherwise. I simply stand up, look at the intended recipient, and say something like, "Sit here, ma'am," or "Sientese aqui', senora." I think only once was the offer kindly refused.
Regarding who rides the bus (or rails), here in Los Angeles it tends to be youths, young moms, older people, and some younger men (especially around downtown). You really don't see many middle-class-looking people on the Metro, although they likely exist somewhere (Westwood?)[huh] Ethnically, I only just again verified that the overwhelming majority of riders in the city of L.A. are Mexican, Central American (I speak Spanish, so dialect is one way to tell the difference, apart from features), Black, and East Asian (including lots of Filipinos). When you're in the city of Glendale, however, Armenians make up a large percentage of riders. As far as those of European (like myself) and Middle Eastern ancestry (apart from Glendale Armenians) are concerned, they make up a small percentage, most likely due to the fact that so many of those two groups have automobiles.