Root Cause....Step Back One Generation

I agree with Sue Ann but like most problems we generalize.....it is usually a small group that is causing the problems and if you step back a little and look at the problem you will usually find that members of the previous generation haven't done their job when it comes to teaching their kids basic values and that with extending of privileges comes certain obligations.

And let's make it a capital crime to use the F word.................

Please, can't we be civil?

We've become Toronto the Good and Rude -- as if privacy and good manners don't exist

By SUE-ANN LEVY, TORONTO SUN

As the critic - and occasional cheerleader -- of all that's right and wrong with City Hall, I could name a dozen things I'd tackle to reverse the steady decline of this wonderful city.

But today I've put aside my usual crusades about getting the homeless off the streets, keeping the city's books balanced and all the other ridiculous ways Socialist Silly Hall is endeavouring to intrude on our lives.

Instead, I'll suggest that saving Toronto may indeed start with saving Torontonians from themselves.

In fact, it's time we considered a "Bring Back Civility to Hogtown" movement.

Born and raised in Steeltown, I made Toronto my home in 1980.

When I first moved here, I lived in an apartment complex chock full of transplanted Montrealers and South Africans. Every summer weekend we'd meet outside and chat -- face-to-face without being interrupted by cellphones.

I took the subway to work each day and people actually smiled at each other. Of course, back then I got a seat.

Not so anymore.

Toronto the Good has become Toronto the Good and Rude.

Road-raged, BlackBerry-crazed, pedestrian-dazed and litter-unfazed, we've become blase about manners and disrespectful of the sensibilities of others.

JUST CITY LIVING

Now don't say this is all part and parcel of living in a big city.

A frequent traveller to other densely populated, traffic-congested cities, I can honestly say Toronto is not world-class.

But we sure have world-class attitude.

We careen around in huge honking SUVs clutching our BlackBerrys in one hand and a Starbucks coffee cup in another, oblivious to the world around us.

We run red lights in our mad drive to get nowhere fast and regularly ignore pedestrians trying to negotiate crosswalks. We foist our blaring car stereos and our iPods on the poor people around us.

We use the streets as our own personal trash cans, throwing our coffee cups, newspapers, napkins and butts anywhere they land.

We think someone else should pick up the dog poo we leave behind in our parks, as if carrying a small plastic bag with us is some kind of inconvenience.

We let our dogs run leash-free on city trails telling walkers or runners they jump on not to mind, Fido the pitbull is "really very friendly."

The plan by Queen's Park to ban the use of hand-held cellphones and BlackBerrys while driving? It doesn't go far enough.

If I ruled the world, I'd do away with the incessant use of any such device in city eateries, theatres and cinemas.

My partner and I have given up trying to have a quiet meal in a nice restaurant without being forced to hear some loud cellphone talker telling the world his or her business while leaving their dinner companion to sit staring at the walls.

Don't get me started about people who madly text their friends while at a play or movie or talk non-stop as if they're in their own living rooms.

NO ESCAPE

You can't escape it. It's as if privacy and good manners don't matter anymore.

Don't look to your civic leaders at Silly Hall to set an example. For all his talk about respect, Mayor David Miller -- and his minions -- think nothing about imposing their will on citizens, treating anyone who dares disagree with them like dirt.

Is it any wonder this city is struggling with an epidemic of graffiti? Little wonder either that it's the O.K. Corral on our streets, where thugs feel no hesitation about targeting innocent bystanders to settle a score.

So Torontonians do yourselves a favour. Turn your cellphones off and turn on the world around you.

Parents, take some time to teach your kids manners starting with "please" and "thank you" and a reminder not to litter. You might also show them how cool and unruffled you can be behind the wheel.

Remember, the best things in life are free. It costs nothing to be civil.

In fact, try smiling at a stranger on the subway.

They might just smile back.