Common Courtesy: The Forgotten Manner

One trend I’m seeing among the teenage group these days is the utter lack of respect for anyone around them in public venues. Perhaps it is simply my own age finally beginning to show, much to the delight of my wife…I’m sure…who has been hoping that I would grow up one day.

Regardless of whether or not I’m becoming a grumpy old man at the ripe age of 33 or not isn’t really the point here. The point is one of Common Courtesy. A behavioral benchmark that is supposed to be taught by parents to their children in order to instill a sense of respect for other people’s property, time and environment. Taking other people’s valuable time and efforts into mind before selfishly acting like a showoff or a nitwit seems to be an alien concept these days.

The more rudely and obnoxious the kids can be, the more cool they seem to believe their behavior to be. The scornful glares they receive as a result of their actions never seem to deter their motivations for a repeat performance. Perhaps it is the chastising glances that mark their success? It is unsure.

Recently, I took my family to enjoy a showing of “The Nativity”. It is a modern movie based upon the events leading up to and involving the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The story, itself, is awe-inspiring. The movie is a wonderful production. But it would have been a much more enjoyable viewing, had not a gaggle of giggling adolescents seen fit to show up approximately 1 minute before the movie began.

Talking obnoxiously loud, climbing over seats directly behind us, bumping our chairs, passing crackling candy papers and boxes, blipping their cellphones, whispering smartass comments about various situations within the movie. And, finally, culminating in an utterly distasteful and haphazardous attempt of “applause” upon the birth of Jesus in the manger. I mean, honestly… have they no couth whatsoever?

My wife tried to explain away their rude behavior by insisting that in some youth ministries, it is encouraged to clap for spiritually beneficial matters. However, this all goes back to the whole “common courtesy” issue with regards to behavioral modification. The movie was not a football game, nor a rock concert. An emotionally moving depiction of the birth of our Lord and Savior should not be rewarded by two teenaged boys muttering out a half-hearted “wooooo” and clapping like a pair of sealions at SeaWorld.

It is this lack of respect for the dignity of the subject matter presented, coupled with their exhibition of self-gratutitive clowning that truly upsets my sensibilities. It is NOT too much to ask for some common courtesy and respect for others in the theater. If you have been a party to this type of behavior in the past, or know of those who engage in it for the purpose of cheap thrills and low-grade humor… please stop it.

If you persist in this type of behavior while I’m seated nearby… don’t be surprised if you end up leaving the theater with a bucket of oily, buttered popcorn crammed down over the top of your head.