What's causing bad behavior on cruise ships?

[Donder1]

"I think the majority of posts are spot on - our society as a whole moved away from civility and kindness." writes one poster.

 

I disagree to a certain extent. 50 years ago, it is unlikely that people of color would have been welcomed or treated well on ships. Gay and lesbians would have feared for their lives if their orientation was know while cruising. Men had "power over" women, back in the day. Some still do. Cultural and socio-economic differences 50 years ago were not well tolerated or understood and I doubt that anyone but the rich traveled on ships in style. There was a class system on ships, then.

People openly smoked everywhere on ships and cruise staff often were treated poorly. Civility? kindness? NOT

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'm not sure "rudeness" is confined to cruiseships---drivers (at least in No. Va!) are rude as hell! Restaurants, offices....you name it.

I think it's a by-product of the cell phone, internet, etc....everyone is just too "into" themselves. There's no recognition that others share our space!

 

I think it's a combination of many factors.

 

Cheap cruise fares whether last minute or not are attracting new customers who may have thought they couldn't afford cruising.

 

 

We have become a very "me" society. We are the most plugged in we have ever been but we don't know how to act with real people. Everyone is trying to get the "deal", the upgrade, the freebie. Definitely alcohol plays a factor in a large number of these incidents.

 

We have 3 24-hour news channnels in the US alone. They have to fill the time with something. And an idiot missing a ship, falling overboard, getting into fights in port, etc... gets up loaded to you tube or sent to a local tv station and it quickly makes its way around the world.

 

The sad part is the people involved in these stories love their "15 minutes" of fame. There is no shame anymore.

 

 

It's a reflection of society in general. People are ruder absolutely everywhere.

• They're ALWAYS in a rush - at home or when trying to get a seat in the theatre
  
• They bump into people on the street at home or in line at the buffet and never bother to say "excuse me," let alone try to avoid the other person
  
• They push their way onto or off of the elevator at the office ... and on a ship
  
• They talk on their ^&*@#? cell phones incessantly, not noticing who they are walking into nor the fact that they're giving away unbelievably personal information to everyone within a 50 yard radius ... or they do the same thing on their walkie talkies on the pool deck
  
• They insist on the "best" seat in the restaurant at home, and try to bribe the maitre d' to get the prime table for two by the window ... because they are special and just plain deserve it more than the rest of us
  
• They can't be bothered to wear appropriate or clean clothes to work, and it's their vacation so why the heck should they do any better on a ship?
  

• They glare at you if you get in their way in the grocery store, or dare to get near them as they barrel towards the tender
  
• They make loud comments "under their breath" if they don't like your clothes, your accent, your hair or your appearance ... and that's at the shopping mall, let alone on formal night
  
• And I could go on forever and ever
  

A good sized segment of society is so unbelievably self-absorbed, and these boorish louts are bound to be on cruise ships. This has nothing to do with "class" because some of the most elegant and well-mannered people I know have the least money or education. Nor is it a reflection of age because I've sure been shoved in buffet and theatre lines by a lot of people who are decades past retirement age.

 

We've really just run into the elevator pushies and the buffet slobs, but then we're perhaps we're lucky.

 

Good question ... but it did raise my blood pressure a bit! :)

 

I think there has been a lot of bad behavior lately because people have been in a rage, partly because of the financial meltdown. People out of work. People afraid they are going to lose their job. More suicides or killings.

 

But even before last year, there has been a breakdown of behavior. I requested on a thread that someone who intends to use their cell phone onboard "please" (yes, I did say use that word) use their phone in their cabin and not in the public areas. Boy, did I get jumped upon (even though some people did agree with me). I also see this on smoking threads and elsewhere, and yes, there are considerate ones who check around to make sure they are not upwind from others, especially children. But all too many times, you'll find yourself around a smoker and you practically have to beg that they move elsewhere (like their own car or house, you want to say). Many will be defiant and say they have the right to be there.

 

Most of the time, most of the passengers we have been onboard with have stood in line nicely and not assaulted others, etc. About four years ago, we were on a cruise that had an extended family onboard that was out of control. The parents simply let their kids run around unsupervised. A youth security guard (these were actually hired that year after this same family caused many problems the year before) approached one father and told him he needs to control his kids. The man told him, "I'm on vacation, don't bother me." Jeez. So everyone else had to put up with these brats running down the halls at all hours, knocking on doors, throwing objects overboard, hanging out on the stairwells. One even hit my 8-yr-old in the pool so we went over and told him off (albeit in a mix of Spanish and English...hubby regretted not having his S-E dictionary with him at the pool). No parents came to see why we were chastizing their kid. There were numerous complaints made to the captain at the most travelled luncheon. Nothing was done.

[Cruisenouvelle]

Not a problem if someone behaving badly strikes you or spits on you. All you have to do is sue them.

After I vigorously defend myself, of course.

[BruceMuzz]

Working on mass market ships, I know all too well that Formal Night is the only night when we have no fighting, fewer drunks, and almost no drama.

 

When people dress up, they behave better, tip better, and spend more money.

 

We often comment that we wish every night was Formal Night

[Cruisin' Chick]

oh boy, Reality Shows... :eek:

 

some of those seem like Prime Time Jerry Springer, with people willing to completely humiliate themselves in order to be on tv. Selfish pursuit of fame.

 

Wanna bet we hear a lot more (for far too long) about the "helium balloon boy" and his family??? I will be interested to see how those kids turn out since those parents seem to want to chase fame. Don't imagine they'll shoo the press away any time soon.

 

I do enjoy some reality shows (LOVE Top Chef, liked original Apprentice) and know plenty of others do, also. I will cop to occasionally not being able to stop watching some seriously embarrassing programming because it can be like a train wreck where you just have to look. "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire" spawned some disgusting shows we call "Who Wants to be the Biggest Slut?" ick.

 

The lowbrow realities never seem to run out of new contestants willing to do most anything on camera.

 

better hop down now. Realities really get me going.

 

It’s not just on cruise ships that boorish and obnoxious behavior exists; it’s society at large. Rudeness, incivility, anger, rage, vulgarity, bullying, bashing, selfish behavior and bad manners are not in your mind, it’s becoming prevalent in society at large. Some think rudeness is contagious, when people see so much of it; they start behaving badly, too.

 

There is an etiquette crisis and a toxic atmosphere of cynicism in this country. Bad parenting and the failure to instill good behavior in kids is the major cause of bad manners. Lack of respect, courtesy and rude behavior is a serious problem. In the past, people blamed parents for not instilling courtesy in their children, but today, a lot of popular culture is encouraging rude behavior. Kids used to be told to “keep a lid on it.” But today, all around them, they’re more guided by letting it all hang out, so it's okay to be ill mannered.

 

For example, how about these “role models”? Sports stars publicly display so much anger and violence on and off the court/field. They beat each other, run each other down with cars... and how about spitting in a baseball umpire’s face, head-butting a basketball referee, choking a baseball coach, bat-throwing, ear biting, and worse...Attacks at sporting events for children are so prevalent, that the National Association of Sports Officials now offers assault insurance to members. "Sideline rage" with parents behaving badly at youth sports events is such an epidemic, that the increase of spectator interference is causing many officials to quit.

Violent programs on TV lead to belligerent behavior by children and three major effects occur: children may become less sensitive to the suffering of others, may be more fearful of the world around them, and may be more likely to be aggressive toward others.

 

Technology is also part of the cause. With all the electronic interaction there is less and less social interaction and social skills are becoming obsolete. At the rapidly changing pace of today’s “connected” society, we’ve become impatient, and when someone slows us down, we get rude and angry. There’s road rage, air rage, cell phone rage, checkout rage, bike rage, sports rage, parking rage, rail rage, bank rage, roller rage, boat rage, desk rage, car alarm rage, and drivers who even honk at people on crutches. There’s even "funeral rage" – people actually flip the bird and cut off funeral processions. While alcohol may play a small part, incivility is the problem and it’s getting worse, and incivility increases the likelihood for violent and belligerent behavior.

 

Even workplace anger is on the upswing. A lot of people are feeling betrayed by their employers. Seeing that CEO paychecks are as much as 41 times the average manufacturing worker's salary makes people angry. Incivility on the job has worsened in recent years as well as the erosion of professional courtesy.

 

Regardless of the cause, angry people are more likely to be rude and disrespectful. The world would be a better place if we just said “please” and “thank you”.

 

I agree with the poster who said that the cruise lines put up with far too much of this. If this behavior occured in a restaurant (drunk, loud, rude, kids not monitored etc) they'd be thrown out on the sidewalk pronto. The casinos are VERY strict about not allowing minors in. Out you go if you're underage. Hotels evict guests who disturb others and/or cause damage to rooms.

 

WHY DON"T THE CRUISE LINES DO THIS? I know they VERY occasionally throw people off at a port, but I agree if they did it more often this behavior would cease. People do it because they can get away with it and the crew just lets it happen. Pretty soon the well-behaved passengers will select another vacation option if it continues to go the way it has been doing.

 

Cruise lines should enforce the rules. If they are so afraid of losing a few people's business then they are in bigger trouble than they think.

 

 

I was thinking about rude behavior when this whole balloon boy thing happened. Obviously the parents were trying to get another gig on reality tv. Unfortunately, there will be producers offering them a show. Even more unfortunate, there are idiots who will tune in to see them. If people would just boycott anything to do with Octomom, Balloon Father, and everyone else in this category of sleezebags, maybe TV producers will look to better programming (as in The Amazing Race) if they want to produce reality shows.

 

Re workplace behavior, my hubby is well aware of what happens when there's no consequences. Since there is none for his boss, the place is very dysfunctional. And the sad thing, their job is public safety.

 

So when someone misbehaves on a ship, and the crew refuses to do anything (basically because they don't want these people to give negative reviews, stiff them on tips, etc.), then there's problems. The unfortunate part of this is that the rest of us have to deal with the end result of the boorish and inconsiderate behavior, as does the crew members who are trying to do a good job.

[Cactuscruise]

Are incidents of rude and inappropriate behavior on the rise -- or is it just media hype as cruising becomes more popular in the face of lower fares?

 

Cruisers in the U.K. are rumbling about an influx of troublemakers (or "chavs," for the Brits) attracted by low prices, according to a feature on Times Online this week. Last week, Carnival Corp. CEO Micky Arison was pushed in an interview with the BBC's Jeremy Vine to defend falling standards as Vine dredged up a much-publicized brawl on P&O's Ventura last Christmas. Meanwhile, in the U.S., six Carnival passengers were recently arrested following a headline-grabbing punch-up with a taxi driver. And then, of course, there are mutinies... (Read our full stories on the topic -- from both U.S. and U.K. perspectives!)

 

Do you think low fares have anything to do with the influx of badly behaved passengers? Or are scandals here to stay as more and more people take to cruising? Vote in our poll -- but be sure to also post your opinion and stories (and tell us where you're from)!

 

 

I think there are a few reasons for the upswing in so-called rude behavior.

 

1. More people are cruising.

 

2. More ignorant people are cruising.

 

3. More people with an inflated sense of entitlement are cruising.

 

...wait, I think these are the same people I run into everyday on land.

[beachchick]

I love this post. I agree with what most have said regarding the possible causes of poor behaviour but this post wins because it outlines what the cruise lines need to be doing.

 

IF the cruiselines started to enforce rules on the ships then those exhibiting bad behaviour would have consequences of their actions and would be forced to take personal responsibility. Once word got around the behaviour would start to change pretty quickly.

 

Parents should be warned of the consequences of their childrens actions, drunks should be removed back to their cabins, damage should be billed and in some cases they should be confined to their rooms pending removal at the next port. In many cases a stern warning that any of these things could happen should be enough and if it isn't well here are the consequences.

 

I agree that cruise lines (as well as other businesses and schools) should be prepared to enforce the rules and guidelines they put in place. When there are no consequences for inappropriate behavior, there is little incentive for some people to change. Empty "threats" are meaningless and only manage to upset those of us who believe in actually following guidelines and behave with civility.

 

When I first started cruising, it was only for the people that really could afford it. Last minute deals were not an option. The last minute deals are the part that is changing the cruise experience in my opinion.

We also are sailing with a more diverse crowd now. There are more and more people from different cultures sailing today. What may be acceptable in one culture is not in another. My opinion is: Why don't we all just try to get along? We are all after all just people here on this good earth for a short time and it should make no difference if you can afford a Presidential Suite or in Inside Cabin on the bottom of the ship. We are all on the same vacation so we should all just accept each others backgrounds and deal with it. I'm sure everybody would have a better time. Help somebody out that is behaving badly and encourage them to join in in more positive behavior. Of course the ships staff plays a big roll on this happening or not as well. Get involved and enjoy life.

I also think dress code does make a slight difference. Everybody acts so prim and proper on formal nights.

Sharon I

 

I do try to get along with everyone around me and am more aware than many that our lives are finite. Having long-term medical conditions that seriously affect my life has changed my perspective immensely. I'm more patient, kinder, and able to deal with things not going the way I expect them to go. (I say that not as a brag, but as an example of what I consider a small "silver lining" among all that my health problems have cause me to lose; I'm sure not perfect by any means.)

 

It does not and never has mattered to me whether someone is wealthy or just getting by; it does not and never has mattered to me whether someone chooses to book a suite or the tiniest inside cabin. Someone who is wealthy might also be frugal and prefer that little inside cabin and someone who has little disposable income might have saved for years to afford a once in a lifetime suite experience. I care about how people behave, not how much they have; I am interested in people who have things in common with me, not those who try to impress me (for whatever reason).

 

However, that doesn't mean I am willing to ignore bad behavior when it affects me or those around me. It does not mean that I should be expected to "get along" with those who don't want to get along with others.

 

And it is not my job to "help somebody out" who is behaving badly. Adults are responsible for themselves. I am not someone's mother or teacher or disciplinarian. Children who behave badly in public often do so because their parents have not taught them better--and those same parents can and do get enraged and even violent toward any other adult who dares tell their "little darling" that screaming while running around the pool deck and pushing people out of the way is wrong. When did it become my responsibility to encourage a total stranger who is behaving badly to "join in a more positive behavior"? This isn't pre-school and we are not 3-y/o children. I have no interest in trying to change someone else's behavior, especially when they are likely to respond with anger or worse.

 

I try to get along with others. That should be enough. I should not be expected to simply tolerate, ignore, or change someone else's bad behavior.

 

beachchick

[cruznjan]

It seems to me that manners/courtesy are no longer important to the general population on or off ships. Many people are so self-absorbed they think rules don't apply to them anywhere. I see so much rude behavior that courtesy stands out more because it's so rare.

 

Amen.

[BruceMuzz]

Excessive drinking received quite a few votes from CC Members.

 

So how does alcohol smuggling figure into the mix?

The smuggling keeps drink costs down, and allows many to drink more than they normally could or would afford to.

Does this contribute to more mis-behaviour on cruises?

[luddite]

Excessive drinking received quite a few votes from CC Members.

 

So how does alcohol smuggling figure into the mix?

The smuggling keeps drink costs down, and allows many to drink more than they normally could or would afford to.

Does this contribute to more mis-behaviour on cruises?

 

Alchohol isn't the problem. Rude is the problem.

[RetireeWannabee]

...However, that doesn't mean I am willing to ignore bad behavior when it affects me or those around me. It does not mean that I should be expected to "get along" with those who don't want to get along with others.

 

And it is not my job to "help somebody out" who is behaving badly. Adults are responsible for themselves. I am not someone's mother or teacher or disciplinarian. ...

 

I try to get along with others. That should be enough. I should not be expected to simply tolerate, ignore, or change someone else's bad behavior.

 

beachchick

 

Great post.

 

But I'm not sure what you want. obviously, we all want NO MORE BAD BEHAVIOR, but, not likely.

 

while I don't think anyone is EXPECTED to take action, but I don't know what else there is besides the choices of tolerate, ignore or change their behavior? You see it and ...?

 

I will butt into some situations and not others. Some people will never speak up about anything, others preach incessantly about everything, and then there are those of us in the middle, choosing our battles to try to make specific situations better.

 

Anybody can choose to remain on the sidelines or engage. Either has risks.

[RetireeWannabee]

Alchohol isn't the problem. Rude is the problem.

agree.

 

some of the drunken behavior can be gotten from those paying 'full freight' in the bars or from port visits.

[RetireeWannabee]

I try to get along with others. That should be enough.

 

That is enuf, and thank you. Some do not do even that.

[MrsPete]

The problem isn't with cruising, the problem isn't with alcohol, the problem isn't with pricing, and the problem isn't with any one segment of society (rich or poor).

 

The problem is that Americans in general have become super self-absorbed and have adopted a me-first-in-all-things attitude.

 

I see it amongst my teenagers at school. I see it out in public. We've worked on our children's self-esteem too much, we've decided that all choices are equally good, and we've become an anything-goes society.

[luddite]

The problem isn't with cruising, the problem isn't with alcohol, the problem isn't with pricing, and the problem isn't with any one segment of society (rich or poor).

 

The problem is that Americans in general have become super self-absorbed and have adopted a me-first-in-all-things attitude.

 

I see it amongst my teenagers at school. I see it out in public. We've worked on our children's self-esteem too much, we've decided that all choices are equally good, and we've become an anything-goes society.

 

And it has doomed our country.

[beachchick]

Great post.

 

But I'm not sure what you want. obviously, we all want NO MORE BAD BEHAVIOR, but, not likely.

 

while I don't think anyone is EXPECTED to take action, but I don't know what else there is besides the choices of tolerate, ignore or change their behavior? You see it and ...?

 

I will butt into some situations and not others. Some people will never speak up about anything, others preach incessantly about everything, and then there are those of us in the middle, choosing our battles to try to make specific situations better.

 

Anybody can choose to remain on the sidelines or engage. Either has risks.

 

Yes, that is what we do, but my point was that I didn't like the idea that it is somehow my "job" to try to make people who are behaving badly "join in a more positive behavior." That makes it seem like we are pre-school teachers who are supposed to do positive reinforcement or use distraction techniques to make other adults behave in a different way. I'm not interested in that and I'm especially not interested in spending my cruise time doing that. I suppose I could be termed a "tattle tale" in some cases because I have reported specific situations to the appropriate authorities so that they can (I hope) deal with it.

 

We will get involved if a situation involves safety or security; we will get involved if a situation directly affects us; we will get involved if a child in endangered. But our level of involvement isn't the same from situation to situation either and we do consider what will affect us.

 

beachchick

[RetireeWannabee]

Yes, that is what we do, but my point was that I didn't like the idea that it is somehow my "job" to try to make people who are behaving badly "join in a more positive behavior." That makes it seem like we are pre-school teachers who are supposed to do positive reinforcement or use distraction techniques to make other adults behave in a different way. I'm not interested in that and I'm especially not interested in spending my cruise time doing that. I suppose I could be termed a "tattle tale" in some cases because I have reported specific situations to the appropriate authorities so that they can (I hope) deal with it.

 

We will get involved if a situation involves safety or security; we will get involved if a situation directly affects us; we will get involved if a child in endangered. But our level of involvement isn't the same from situation to situation either and we do consider what will affect us.

 

beachchick

 

I agree - you are not the hall monitor!!

 

Your last paragraph could have been written by me. I will also "tattle" when warranted. The job of correcting the wrong behavior belongs to someone employed by the ship and some people, you just should not engage, let someone else deal with it.

 

It's not the least bit likely that I would ever attempt to "get someone to join in positive behavior" either. While I'm an optimist, I'm not THAT optimistic and would rather enjoy my cruise than play Miss Manners.

[TMLAalum]

So I have to reply but I am only echoing other posters.

 

The issue is "It's All About ME!!!". Our culture in the USA is no longer bound to a generally acceptable code of behavior/conduct. The F-bomb is a constant. Blasting your car audio is a constant. The attitude of "I paid for it, I'm entitled..." is prevalent (observed on public golf courses, too). Lack of privacy regarding 'private' parts/sexual issues in terms of audible conversations is a constant. Hearing everybody's business discussed on cell phones is a constant.

 

I could go on, but you all get the gist.

[ohtravelguy]

The worst behavior I have seen on the 4 cruise I've been on this year seemed to be a result of too much drink. While there does seem to a rise in rudness that appears to be more a problem with the changing values of society in general. People today tend to be more disrespectful but I fail to see that a result of lower cruise fares, just bad maners. As Forest Gump once said, stupid is as stupid does.

[olemissreb]

I have to echo what most posters have already said. Our country's culture has become progressively an "entitlement" culture. Combine that with the "me" attitude and "political correctness" and it's a bad mix. Too many parents/educators are still stuck with "building a child's self-esteem" that children don't really learn the word "NO". IMO this started with the "Yuppies" from the '80's and it's only grown with the explosion of rap/hip-hop music and reality tv. The media only plays into all of this by focusing on this type of behavior.

 

I can't place all the blame on our culture though. I do believe the cruise lines carry as much responsibility. They keep building bigger and bigger ships that they will have to fill to capacity to pay for. How do they make sure they can do that? They adopt a "let's not offend" attitude. They can't/won't stop the behaviors that we all find annoying because it might "offend". IMO the cruise lines need to start enforcing the rules that they have in place to make everyone's vacation enjoyable. And we as a country need to try and reverse this culture. How? I'm not sure how to do it on a country wide basis, all I can do is treat others with respect and teach my kids how to act in public and to treat their elders and peers with respect.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

The previous post is another attempt to blame rude behavior on cruise ships, to political correctness and the cultural wars.

 

I disagree. Mark Sanford, Richard Scruggs, John Edwards, and Joe Wilson are three examples of truly bad behavior from non politically correct southern gentlemen, three of whom are lawyers and graduates of the South's finest law schools. All four of the above thought that they were entilted to behave in a manner completely unacceptable to most of us.

 

As for minorities on cruise ships (those interested in hip hop or rap), on over 30 cruises I have seen very few minorities and even fewer teen agers who looked like they were from different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Further, the three or four that I saw, were exceptionally well behaved.

 

Bad behavior on cruise ships in my opinion, comes from a wide variety of factors. These include too much alcohol, lack of knowledge of what cruising is all about, a lack of common sense, and sadly all too often a mean spirited attitude towards cruise staff from other parts of the world.

 

You have every right not to like political correctness (sometimes being politically correct is being outright silly) and to wish for the days before hip hop or rap. Respectfully though I see no relationship between these and behavior by the older guy at our table who thought it amusing to hassle a very pretty girl (an assistant waiter) each night at dinner. When he wasn't around I told her not to be concerned because I was going to throw him overboard after dinner that night. She would laugh and go about her work, knowing that my wife and I were there.

[olemissreb]

Hello,

 

The previous post is another attempt to blame rude behavior on cruise ships, to political correctness and the cultural wars.

 

I disagree. Mark Sanford, Richard Scruggs, John Edwards, and Joe Wilson are three examples of truly bad behavior from non politically correct southern gentlemen, three of whom are lawyers and graduates of the South's finest law schools. All four of the above thought that they were entilted to behave in a manner completely unacceptable to most of us.

 

As for minorities on cruise ships (those interested in hip hop or rap), on over 30 cruises I have seen very few minorities and even fewer teen agers who looked like they were from different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Further, the three or four that I saw, were exceptionally well behaved.

 

Bad behavior on cruise ships in my opinion, comes from a wide variety of factors. These include too much alcohol, lack of knowledge of what cruising is all about, a lack of common sense, and sadly all too often a mean spirited attitude towards cruise staff from other parts of the world.

 

You have every right not to like political correctness (sometimes being politically correct is being outright silly) and to wish for the days before hip hop or rap. Respectfully though I see no relationship between these and behavior by the older guy at our table who thought it amusing to hassle a very pretty girl (an assistant waiter) each night at dinner. When he wasn't around I told her not to be concerned because I was going to throw him overboard after dinner that night. She would laugh and go about her work, knowing that my wife and I were there.

 

You're right - I worded my response wrong. I didn't mean to blame the cruise lines only to say that the rude behavior is exacerbated by the actions (or lack thereof) by the corporations attitudes.

 

And you are also right in that I don't like political correctness. IMO it has led to way too many people to be offended at every little thing and only "feeds" the entitlement mentality (i.e. I'm offended by the way you blow your nose and I'm entitled to not be offended so I'm going to sue - or some such silly thing). I feel that being PC has caused everyone to censor their thoughts and speech so much, that very few people can have meaningful conversations with persons different from themselves unless they have known those people for years. Because of this "self censoring", many feel that they can't say anything to anyone about their behavior for fear of being hit or worse. Back to the "I'm entitled/Me" attitude - pay good money for vacation/entitled to do what I want example.

 

I hope this helps clarify a little what I meant. It's so hard for me to explain things well in writing - I'm only marginally better in speaking what's on my mind! ;)

 

BTW - while I do not condone what Dickie Scruggs did (or any of the others for that matter) I would like to say thank you for recognizing the Ole Miss Law School as one of the "South's finest Law Schools". I've always thought so, but then again I'm a little biased! :)

[rarescrambler]

I'm not sure "rudeness" is confined to cruiseships---drivers (at least in No. Va!) are rude as hell! Restaurants, offices....you name it.

I think it's a by-product of the cell phone, internet, etc....everyone is just too "into" themselves. There's no recognition that others share our space!

 

You hit the nail on the head with this statement! There is one girl in my office who either has her phone to her ear or is so busy texting EVERY DAY when she walks in, she's strangely unable to even glance up and greet me - I'm at the front desk. Walks right past me. I'm invisible.

[cruisemom42]

Funny how people have been making the same comments about the decline of society ever since there WAS a society...

 

Here's a quote from Socrates (only about 2500 years ago):

 

"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they allow disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children now are tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”

 

It's a wonder we have managed to survive with all this degeneration going on....:D

[Fredr]

Cynthia,

 

Very badly off topic, but I see that you sailed on Sitmar. The Azamara Quest has the same wonderful ambiance as Sitmar's FairSea, though the Quest is bigger but not by much.