With each passing generation social conventions are modified. It is the most senior of us that notice these changes and find them unsettling. Maybe that is why we seniors sometimes get the label, grouchy. We seniors that just go with the flow or even adopt some of the newer conventions are suspect. Either others think we are becoming senile, or call us fools. Strange how that works isn't it ? If we start to do something that the young folks think is " cool " all at once we're fools. Hey you guys started it so just who is the fool here ? And I have news for most of these youngsters, they haven't invented a thing, only renamed an old one. Most times that old one was discarded because it was foolish ! Ah, the circle of life.
I am one that believes in observing the social convention. I find that life goes along much smoother if you do so. Bucking those conventions can gain you attention but it is more often negative attention than positive. These conventions were established for a reason. They promote harmonious relations. It is what is expected. The unexpected startles and may cause fear or anger. Few of us like surprises unless for entertainment purposes, or a gift. The convention is what is expected and it is what is conceived as being the correct behavior or response. Those that wish to buck convention are trying to impose their thoughts upon others.
I have found myself defending certain social conventions. I have been accused of being short sighted and close minded. The most recent example of this is the subject of breastfeeding a baby in public. I maintain it is acceptable a long as you are covered. I agree that it is just a natural biological process and nothing to be ashamed of. I also believe a degree of modesty should be employed. I believe that one should exercise that modesty as a courtesy to others. There are some that become quite uncomfortable with that taking place in a public setting. Really little different than passing gas or belching, both natural biological processes, but as a courtesy we try not to do that in public either. I could go on with examples but you get the idea here. It is just a social convention that we normally do not openly breastfeed our child in a common public area. The right to do so is protected by law, that is true, but that doesn't mean you should.
Handshaking is losing it's appeal as a social convention. I expect it is the fear of exchanging germs. Most supermarkets provide wipes for sanitizing the handles of shopping carts. I have had a few refuse a handshake, citing health reasons. They were afraid of passing something to me, as an excuse. Perhaps that was true, perhaps not. Just the act of speaking to a stranger, exchanging a casual good morning or whatever, is becoming suspect behavior. Try it and watch the reaction you get. I think you will be surprised.
Political correctness is the predecessor to social convention. That is a troubling fact. It is even more so in today's world. Soon we will have to remain almost silent in order to avoid offense. We will need to announce our political affiliations and leanings. Our religious beliefs will also have to be announced prior to any social interaction lest we extend an inappropriate greeting. A social convention that comes to mind that has recently been changed is marriage. Now I can not assume because you are married it is to someone of the opposite sex. My grandchildren and their children will have to ask that question. You're married ? Male of female ? Maybe that is why gay people insist upon announcing their sexual orientation. They are trying to avoid confusion. It does simplify things that can't be denied. Is that a new convention ? Declaring your orientation when first meeting a person ?
Yes I think political correctness does precede social convention. I'm am concerned for the future generations of Americans. It is the social conventions that make the society ! Seems rather obvious doesn't it ? The recent modern alterations to our society and those same social conventions lead me to that conclusion. America as it exists today will not exist tomorrow or the next year. America as I remember it does not exist anymore. It is ever the same with each generation. We are still here so perhaps my fears are unfounded. They are still unsettling. It is only the seniors that can see and recognize these changes. That is simply because it happens over time. I've been watching for six decades. Each generation makes some changes. My own generation did so as well. My generation is the boomers. We began a cultural revolution. I'm not convinced it was a good thing. But I don't like changes much, I'm a conventional sort of guy.
I am one that believes in observing the social convention. I find that life goes along much smoother if you do so. Bucking those conventions can gain you attention but it is more often negative attention than positive. These conventions were established for a reason. They promote harmonious relations. It is what is expected. The unexpected startles and may cause fear or anger. Few of us like surprises unless for entertainment purposes, or a gift. The convention is what is expected and it is what is conceived as being the correct behavior or response. Those that wish to buck convention are trying to impose their thoughts upon others.
I have found myself defending certain social conventions. I have been accused of being short sighted and close minded. The most recent example of this is the subject of breastfeeding a baby in public. I maintain it is acceptable a long as you are covered. I agree that it is just a natural biological process and nothing to be ashamed of. I also believe a degree of modesty should be employed. I believe that one should exercise that modesty as a courtesy to others. There are some that become quite uncomfortable with that taking place in a public setting. Really little different than passing gas or belching, both natural biological processes, but as a courtesy we try not to do that in public either. I could go on with examples but you get the idea here. It is just a social convention that we normally do not openly breastfeed our child in a common public area. The right to do so is protected by law, that is true, but that doesn't mean you should.
Handshaking is losing it's appeal as a social convention. I expect it is the fear of exchanging germs. Most supermarkets provide wipes for sanitizing the handles of shopping carts. I have had a few refuse a handshake, citing health reasons. They were afraid of passing something to me, as an excuse. Perhaps that was true, perhaps not. Just the act of speaking to a stranger, exchanging a casual good morning or whatever, is becoming suspect behavior. Try it and watch the reaction you get. I think you will be surprised.
Political correctness is the predecessor to social convention. That is a troubling fact. It is even more so in today's world. Soon we will have to remain almost silent in order to avoid offense. We will need to announce our political affiliations and leanings. Our religious beliefs will also have to be announced prior to any social interaction lest we extend an inappropriate greeting. A social convention that comes to mind that has recently been changed is marriage. Now I can not assume because you are married it is to someone of the opposite sex. My grandchildren and their children will have to ask that question. You're married ? Male of female ? Maybe that is why gay people insist upon announcing their sexual orientation. They are trying to avoid confusion. It does simplify things that can't be denied. Is that a new convention ? Declaring your orientation when first meeting a person ?
Yes I think political correctness does precede social convention. I'm am concerned for the future generations of Americans. It is the social conventions that make the society ! Seems rather obvious doesn't it ? The recent modern alterations to our society and those same social conventions lead me to that conclusion. America as it exists today will not exist tomorrow or the next year. America as I remember it does not exist anymore. It is ever the same with each generation. We are still here so perhaps my fears are unfounded. They are still unsettling. It is only the seniors that can see and recognize these changes. That is simply because it happens over time. I've been watching for six decades. Each generation makes some changes. My own generation did so as well. My generation is the boomers. We began a cultural revolution. I'm not convinced it was a good thing. But I don't like changes much, I'm a conventional sort of guy.
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