“The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”
It has been said that people now behave without decorum in public, speaking their feelings with no bars held, spewing anger and hatred towards others regarding anything and everything—because they feel they have been given permission. These verbal attacks are often racially, ethnically, or gender-motivated. Many claim they are merely expressing long-held feelings that were once suppressed due to rules of engagement. Remember “politically correct?”
The state of daily interaction has deteriorated, and we must ask ourselves: Why have we spiraled to such a low level of character? Is this decline a reflection of the rise of the underclass? A rebellion against the perceived elite? The reality is that there were once universally understood ways to interact with others—ways that were proper and correct. We used to describe people as polite and well-mannered. Today, even our leaders, who once set societal standards, curse publicly, establishing a new, lower criterion for behavior.
Let’s examine some of the “bars” that once held us in place:
There were once standards of decency, respect for self and others, acceptable conduct, and noble, honorable behavior. These qualities shaped how we judged a person’s character and class. Their behavior spoke volumes. Imagine bringing a man or woman home to meet your parents, only to have them curse as part of their normal way of speaking. At one time, this would have been unacceptable—but today, it is accepted by some.
1. Decent: Conforming to standards of propriety, modesty, or good taste.
- Social norms and appropriateness (e.g., “a decent meal” or “a decent person”).
2. Respectful: Showing deference, consideration, or regard for someone or something.
- Behavior that honors or values others (e.g., “respectful tone”).
3. Acceptable: Meeting minimum standards or requirements; satisfactory.
- Basic adequacy or suitability (e.g., “an acceptable solution”).
4. Proper: Conforming to established rules, standards, or expectations; correct or appropriate.
- Fittingness to a specific context or situation (e.g., “proper attire”).
5. Honorable: Worthy of respect or admiration; characterized by high moral principles.
Focus: Ethical and moral integrity (e.g., “an honorable intention”).
6. Noble: Displaying qualities of high moral character, generosity, or dignity.
- Lofty ideals or virtues, often inspiring admiration (e.g., “a noble sacrifice”).
7. Prudent: Acting with care and foresight, considering the consequences of actions.
- Wise decision-making, often practical or cautious (e.g., “a prudent choice”).
These words are interrelated in that they all describe qualities or actions generally valued within social, ethical, or practical contexts:
Decent, proper, and acceptable align with meeting societal or situational standards, though they vary in degree. Decent implies general adequacy, while proper is stricter and more context-specific.
Respectful connects to behavior that acknowledges the worth or feelings of others, which can also reflect decency or propriety.
Honorable and noble elevate the focus to ethical or moral standards, emphasizing virtue and selflessness. While noble often suggests lofty or aspirational ideals, honorable highlights adherence to integrity.
Prudent adds the dimension of wisdom and foresight, reflecting a thoughtful approach to achieving what might also be deemed honorable or proper.
Together, these values form a spectrum of behavior, judgment, and character—ranging from baseline standards (e.g., acceptable) to the highest virtues (e.g., noble).
The sad truth is that many now find comfort in behaviors once deemed unacceptable. There is no longer a stigma attached to crassness or vulgarity. People are permitted—if not encouraged—to behave poorly. It is up to us to decide what kind of society we want to foster and participate in.
“The Jerry Springer Show” was one of the first platforms to showcase the bad behavior of the less educated, and soon an avalanche of similar content followed. Today’s reality shows are horrid, often highlighting the “new rich” behaving badly—because money does not breed class. Then there are shows like “Love After Lock-Up.” Seriously, why are we entertained by such debauchery?
Have we become so numb that this behavior and lack of self-respect now seem acceptable?