Is it my imagination, or has modern society become more rude? Gone are the days when doors were held open for the person behind us; when young people addressed adults — even strangers — as "sir," or "ma'am;" when people said "excuse me" to gain someone's attention; and when "please" and "thank you" were a routine part of any conversation.

Nowadays, people shove their way into grocery and theater lines, swearing is commonplace, courtesies are expected (with no "thank you" afterward), and the immediate response to a minor traffic inconvenience is the single-digit salute.

According to psychologist Jean Twenge, author of the revealing book Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before, today's generation doesn't really care what people think anymore. Young people are "more direct" and see this as a positive trait.

Young people see their directness as an asset. In one episode of the teen soap The O.C., 16-year-old Seth makes a sarcastic comment, after which his father tells him, "Watch your mouth — I was trying to be polite. You might want to give it a try." Seth replies, "No, thanks, I'd rather be honest."
- Twenge, Generation Me, page 39

So, does this mean that in the 21st century we have carte blanche to shove people out of the way and use four-letter words whenever we feel like it? I don't think so.

Sure, today's world is fast-paced and frustrating and more maddening than ever before. But why give in to the madness? Good manners were invented precisely so we could deal with the lunacy of life in a way that would help defuse the situation. To give an example that truly epitomizes our terror-driven times, try dealing with the TSA security people at the airport with a smile instead of a snarl. I guarantee that your smile will get you through the gate more quickly, and the TSA will be appreciative of your good cheer.

I think we can take a cue for how to deal with modern life from our sacred liturgy. The word "Eucharist" is derived from the Greek word "eucharistia" that translates as "thanksgiving." At the Last Supper, Jesus gave thanks before presenting to his disciples the bread and the cup that would be offered as his body and blood. Therefore, our central act of worship is a "thank you" celebration. Jesus was giving thanks on the night before his death, the ultimate inconvenience. All our daily inconveniences certainly pale in light of what Jesus experienced on Good Friday. Is there a lesson here?

Sunday after Sunday we give thanks to God through the gift of the Eucharist. Can we not take this awesome gift and bring it with us throughout the week? Or is our reception of communion so easily negated in the church parking lot as we curse out the driver in front of us who cut us off?

Maybe we need to get back into the habit of saying "thank you" all over again. Jesse Manibusan has a great song that allows us to sing "thank you" in 15 different languages! As we sing through Malo! Malo! Thanks Be to God, let us ask our gracious God to bestow upon us the gift of gentleness and thankfulness. Then watch as life suddenly becomes more bearable.