To Hell With Manners: New Film Looks at Decline of Civility
Source: AOL.ca
Posted: 09/17/08 3:27PM
Filed Under: Family
It probably wasn't that long ago you angrily muttered under your breath, 'How rude!'
Perhaps it followed a crazy bit of road rage. Or maybe it came after a dinner-ruining cell phone conversation at the next table. Or perhaps it was because your dining companion spent half his time on his crackberry. And there is a good chance, your disapproval followed a failure to hold the door open for you or the exclusion of a simple 'thank you.' Whatever the case, it all supports the thesis of a new CTV documentary (narrated by William Shatner), To Hell With Manners! The Decline of Civility. The way Montreal filmmaker John Curtin sees it, society as a whole has become ruder than ever.
How Rude |
Never mind the fact you didn't turn your phone off in the theatre, why did you answer it only to loudly explain to the caller you are AT THE MOVIES? Sheesh. It wasn't that long ago that using the telephone was a mostly private affair done in the home. Hard to believe. |
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PHOTOS |
Curtin posits our lack of manners could be the result of the revolutionary '60s when boomers rejected the uptight ways of their parents for an "anything goes" approach. But there is no denying our increasingly stressful and busy lives, aggressive capitalism and isolating technology contribute to our disregard for fellow citizens.
Earlier this week, John Curtin answered AOL.ca's questions on topics such as why people no longer feel compelled to give up their seat on the bus for a pregnant woman.
Q: Was there a single incident that inspired you to want to make a documentary on the decline of civility?
Curtin: The idea to make this documentary didn't come out of a single incident like someone giving me the bird. I noticed rudeness was on the rise at least ten years ago. Last year, I pitched the idea to CTV commissioning editor Bob Culbert who decided this was a film people would be interested in. Good call. They are!
Q: There are many reasons (misguided parenting, longer commutes, less community, isolation due to technology, impersonal customer service etc.) to explain our worsening manners or complete lack thereof. What do you think is the biggest contributing factor?
Curtin: Certainly, one of the biggest factors is technology. We live in an age of distraction, paying more attention to our gadgets than to the people around us. Perhaps we'll have to begin turning our technology off, occasionally, to get back to a more civil society.
Q: Is the problem that bad behaviour seems to be rewarded? For example, fighting hockey players get more attention than a good play, a panty-less Britney Spears gets the cover of the tabloid as does a celebrity mug shot.
Curtin: Man bites dog is news, the reverse is not. Behaving yourself these days guarantees you will stay off the front page…. a kind of death for any celebrity. Therefore Britney "forgets" to get dressed and athletes act up. Unfortunately, these people are role models for millions. The consequences are obvious.
Q: In the film, a level of understanding for our stressed-out lives is communicated. For example, journalist Josh Freed compares modern air travel to being treated like a prisoner with the endless lineups, body searches, aggressive questioning, waiting, crowds, small seats, bad food etc. As our dignity is peeled away, our frustration grows and we lose start to lose it. Do you have a level of acceptance and understanding for this or do you think there is still no excuse not to exercise self control and always treat others with respect?
Curtin: Josh raises an interesting question. Is the airline passenger who boils over always at fault or does some of the blame for air rage sometimes lie with the "service" that got the passenger enraged in the first place? Every case is different, but when you treat people in a dehumanizing way is it any wonder that they stop acting like humans?
Q: What's the worst meltdown or example of extreme rudeness you heard while making the film?
Curtin: Hockey player Jonathan Roy's pummeling of a goalie who did nothing to defend himself ranks pretty high on the list, as does the riot which ensued after a Montreal Canadiens playoff game last spring. We included images of both incidents in the film but didn't dwell on either of them. We were more interested in chronicling the more common lapses of everyday life.
Q: Technology isolates us as we spend less time talking to each other. How has this led to a decline in manners?
Curtin: The less we interact personally with one another, the worse we become at it. It's a downward spiral
Q: The film is less bothered by bad manners in the vein of using the wrong fork or elbows on the table, but more how we treat one another. Does this come down to a lack of respect?
Curtin: I think it's more a lack of attention which prevents us from, first, noticing and, second, empathizing with those around us. If we truly noticed, we would empathize and likely be kinder to our fellow citizens.
Q: If a 'survival of the fittest' mentality is to blame for our rudeness, do you see any hope for society as populations continue to grow and we fight for space in our cities on our highways?
Curtin: I think it's just a matter of educating people to the benefits of civility. You are more likely to survive and thrive by being kind to others than by acting as if you are in some kind of Darwinian struggle with them. Civility is a win-win for everyone. Small courtesies, a smile, a cheerful "hello" can go a long way towards making the world a more pleasant and productive place. And they are all completely free!
To Hell With Manners! The Decline of Civility premieres Saturday September 20 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local listings)
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