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There was a time when public rudeness was frowned upon, but increasingly, in my experience, those who misbehave have their bad behavior facilitated by those who choose to tolerate them. While it may be a stretch to say this is akin to "personal morals," on some level it certainly is. If a person is rude, loud, or disruptive in a restaurant or other public setting, it shows a lack of concern for others upon which morals are based. I would add that when we aid and abet such behavior, we are also morally lacking.

For example, we have all been victims of somebody who pushes ahead of others. How many of us will take a stand and ask the person to go to the end of the line and wait like everybody else? Then we go home feeling like a wuss. Perhaps speaking up would be lost on the rude person, maybe not. Maybe it's time to teach assertiveness skills to everybody. Using a soft tone, but stating the obvious in a firm way, might be a skill that would catch on.

Speaking of store behavior, what about people who bring several small children and turn them loose? Sometimes children are allowed to do things in a public place that would never be tolerated at home. Store staff are reluctant to correct these children because they do not want to lose customers, so they put up with it. One place we visit has a sign that says "If your children are left unattended we will give them a double espresso and a puppy." Sheer genius.

And what about the family reunions and/or "haven't seen you in years" clutches that clog the aisles at the store so nobody can get through and have to just find another way around? Does it occur to them that others came to shop, probably have worked a long day and just want to get home? Do we say anything or just add another ten minutes to our shopping time by walking around?

Last weekend we were at a local tourist attraction, and decided to have a snack at the hole-in-the-wall bar. It had one door going in, one going out. However, going out was impossible because a family of about fifteen folks was huddled in a clutch near the out door making it impossible to pass by. Did they notice how rude they were? Not until I told them, but their sense of entitlement was so strong they stayed right where they were until they were ready to leave. Obviously rich by their clothes. But, rude. Immoral. Money can't buy class.

And where is the book on cell phone courtesy? One of the worst examples I have personally experienced was at a nice restaurant on the Oregon Coast. A family

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