Manners in Britain? They’re vanishing faster than affordable housing. Have you noticed?
1. The Queue Jumper Epidemic
Queuing used to be sacred in Britain, but recent research by YouGov found that 36% of Brits have seen someone cut in line in the last month. Decency, it seems, is on the decline.
2. The Death of “Thank You”
The act of saying “thank you” is diminishing. A recent survey conducted by Barclays showed that only 54% of Brits say “thank you” after receiving a service, a drop from previous years. Gratitude is becoming rarer in daily interactions.
3. Mobile Phone Zombies
Britons are more glued to their phones than ever. A report by Deloitte found that the average Brit checks their phone 55 times a day. Conversations are being replaced by screen time, and it’s killing in-person interactions.
4. Public Transport Nausea
Public transport, once a marker of British politeness, has become a nightmare. A recent Transport for London (TfL) survey showed that 65% of passengers had witnessed aggressive behaviour on buses and the Tube. The days of polite travel seem to be over.
5. Social Media Snipers
Social media is a breeding ground for rudeness. According to a survey by Ditch the Label, 69% of young people in the UK have experienced bullying online. Civility on social platforms is rapidly deteriorating.
6. Drivers Behaving Badly
Driver etiquette is disappearing. The RAC reported that road rage incidents have increased by 50% over the last decade, with many drivers no longer acknowledging each other on the roads.
7. Litter, Litter Everywhere
Britain is drowning in litter. Keep Britain Tidy reports that councils spend nearly £1 billion annually cleaning up litter, an expense that has risen as more people disregard the environment. It’s as if manners have been thrown out with the rubbish.
8. Public Spats Are the New Norm
Public arguments are becoming more common. Research by the charity Relate showed that nearly half of Brits have witnessed public disputes, with many people feeling less inclined to keep their tempers in check.
9. Decline of Polite Apologies
Apologising used to be a hallmark of British culture. A recent poll by YouGov found that fewer people apologise in public situations, with many preferring to shrug off mistakes. The art of the British apology is fading.
10. Vanishing ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’
Politeness in everyday conversation is disappearing. A linguistic study from the University of York found that the use of “please” and “thank you” has declined by 15% in the last decade. It’s a sign of changing social norms.
11. Swearing Has Become the Norm
Swearing is no longer something you keep behind closed doors—it’s out in the open. Research from Lancaster University showed that the average Brit hears or uses profanity 14 times a day. It seems we’ve swapped “please” and “thank you” for words we wouldn’t say in front of our grandparents.
12. Ghosting Is Now Normal
Ghosting, the act of cutting off communication without warning, has become commonplace in relationships. A survey by dating app Bumble revealed that 70% of users have experienced ghosting, with many considering it an acceptable way to end relationships.
13. Decline in Formal Greetings
Formal greetings are on the decline. Research by Debrett’s, the etiquette authority, found that only 41% of people now offer a handshake when meeting someone new, down from 62% five years ago. Casual greetings are taking over.
14. ‘It’s Not My Problem’ Syndrome
A study by the British Red Cross found that fewer people are stepping in to help others in distress. Many cite fear of getting involved or simply do not want the hassle. Many people prefer to turn a blind eye rather than offer assistance.
15. Disrespect for Elders
Respect for the elderly is waning. A recent survey by Age UK highlighted that over half of elderly respondents felt they had been treated disrespectfully by younger people in public. Age no longer seems to command respect in modern Britain.
16. Neighbourhood Neglect
Fewer people are engaging with their neighbours. A study by the housing association Peabody found that only 33% of people know their neighbours’ names, a drop from 50% a decade ago. The sense of community spirit is eroding.
17. Ghosting Customer Service
Customer service is going downhill. A report by Which? found that 42% of consumers had experienced poor customer service in the last year, with companies failing to respond to complaints. Businesses are ghosting their customers just as much as individuals are ghosting each other.
18. The Rudeness of Parking
Parking manners are in decline. A recent survey by the AA found that complaints about inconsiderate parking have risen by 25%, with people double parking or blocking driveways more frequently. It’s a free-for-all on the roads.
19. The Disappearance of Public Apologies
Public apologies have lost their sincerity. A recent study by Ipsos MORI found that 60% of people believe that public figures no longer apologise sincerely, instead offering hollow statements that lack genuine contrition. Authenticity is becoming a thing of the past.
20. The Decline of Small Talk
Small talk is vanishing. Research by the University of Cambridge found that Brits are engaging in less small talk with strangers, with only 35% of respondents saying they regularly engage in casual conversation with people they don’t know. Social connections are weakening.
Manners Matter… Right?
So, is this the end of civility in Britain? Or can we bring back good manners before they vanish completely?
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / IR Stone.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.