The way I see it, people are not being as nice in public as they used to be. I can’t explain why, but it has become apparent to me that politeness is vanishing from our society.

As a Texas Master Naturalist, I volunteer almost weekly as a trail guide along the Sanctuary trails of Headwaters at Incarnate Word. The one part of my job that I dislike the most is when I have to ask grown adults to follow the posted rules.

When I approach someone about a rule, they usually give one of the three following responses.

1) Most people, once they hear what they are doing wrong, immediately correct their behavior. Sometimes, they apologize and say they were unaware.

2) Quite a few people act as if they understand what you are telling them and make the correction pleasantly enough much like the first group. However, A few minutes later, you find them doing the same thing. They thought that they had given you the slip by pretending to comply.

3) Fortunately, the very worst are the rarest ones. Instead of complying with my request, they act like petulant children and get inappropriately angry as if I am the one who is in the wrong. Personally, I don’t think an angry response is ever appropriate when somebody is talking to you respectfully with a smile on their face, which is how I always approach the guests of the sanctuary.

I know we all like to talk about nosy Karen’s out there telling people what to do. But, when you are wearing an official name tag that identifies you as a trail monitor for the location and introduce yourself as such, you can not be mistaken as being nosy. You are doing your job. There should be some level of respect for your tiny bit of authority.

Rules when posted in nature preserves are not posted nilly-willy. There are reasons for them. Most are to ensure public safety and the protection of the natural area. If you don’t want to follow those rules, go to a park. They may let you have a bit more discretion over the activities you would like to pursue. But, I guarantee, they will have their rules, as well.

It saddens me to witness politeness vanishing from society as I go through my life journey. Most of us, back in the day, were taught to be honest, cooperative, nice to others, respectful, and polite. Those were the norms. The way I see it, that is a thing of the past!