Tony Blair's "Respect Czar" has called for a campaign to bring politeness back to British life.

(link via The Guardian)

I sincerely hope that Louise Casey's (the "Respect Czar") campaign is successful because it's sorely needed! The lack of good manners and respect for each other is probably at the heart of a lot of what is wrong in British society.

There are so many examples; people who listen to music with the volume turned up too high, talking on mobile phones in loud voices, throwing their rubbish on the ground or leaving it on trains and buses (litter is a huge problem in Britain), mowing the lawn very, very early on a Saturday or Sunday morning (never considering that some people might still be sleeping and enjoying a well-deserved lie-in), honking the horn early in the morning to alert someone they are there to pick him/her up rather than parking the car & getting out and knocking on the door, using obscenities in public (actually I hate vulgar & foul language full-stop but what words people choose to use in private is their own business), cutting in a queue, talking during a film at the cinema or during a play at the theatre, and simple things like not saying please and thank you or excuse me. I could go on but that would probably bore you and I don't want to be rude!

I notice in the same article from The Guardian that the "Respect Czar", Louise Casey, also wants soap operas on TV to change their portrayal of British life:

And she called on TV soap operas to portray a nicer side to life, rather than constantly showing the UK as a land of gloomy, argumentative, bed-hopping candidates for an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).

I NEVER watch British soap operas and that is one of the biggest reasons! They are so depressing! I honestly can't understand why so many people are addicted to watching them. It's as if no one has told the writers that soap operas shouldn't always be about portraying real life - I think soap operas  should occasionally be glossy and fun and possibly even be uplifting. I shudder when I think of how many teenagers and even younger kids are watching these depressing shows and probably surmising that shouting and bad language and promiscuity are the norm and actually expected. I don't expect all TV shows to have a moral or portray a life without rude or wicked people but it does seem like writers should behave responsibly by showing a balance. After all, life isn't all bad or all good, indeed, there is a bit of both.

The other factor is the way parents behave towards their children. I've lost count of the number of parents I see who are shouting, swearing and littering when they are out with their children. Then they wonder why their kids don't show them - or anyone else any respect! Good manners start at home so I pity all the children who are never shown respect by their parents and never taught good manners.