It makes life a lot more pleasant for everyone concerned.

Good manners and courtesy are the grease which keeps a society moving smoothly. They are the hallmarks of a civilization which values all of its people. It is important to show everyone the same courtesy, not just people you think merit it. People often shy away from the homeless, yet according to a recent documentary I saw on PBS, the average family is only 3 paychecks from the street. "Please, thank you," holding a door for someone---hanging up your cell phone when a clerk is ringing up your purchases. Greeting the customer, making eye contact if you are the clerk. These are little things, but by practicing them, we are recognizing the humanity in each other. And sometimes the smallest act of kindness can change the course of your day--or your life. There have been 2 instances lately on national tv, of people in service jobs (one a waitress, one a cashier), who have been remembered in peoples' wills for simply being kind. I think it says something not very good about us as a society that it is considered noteworthy when someone goes out of their way to be thoughtful. It should be the norm. And it is up to parents to teach their children good manners and courteous behavior. It seems that in recent years, we've been so busy trying to build up our children's self-esteem that we've created a bunch of rude little monsters with a sense of entitlement and a lack of consideration for anyone but themselves. The only question many people seem to consider these days is, "is it good for me?" We seem to have forgotten that we are all connected to a degree, and we are all on the same journey. I don't think that people have changed. I think that core of goodness and compassion still resides in most of us--maybe hidden a little deeper, but I think it wants to come out. And everyone has the power within them to facilitate change. Just drive a little slower. Let someone in when they put their blinker on. Hold the door for someone. Say "please" and "thank you." And smile.