Are people getting more oblivious nowadays?

[grumpyduck]

I see it all the time: people at the supermarket blocking an aisle totally unaware that there's someone behind them, or pulling out of a parking slot (or crossing the street) without looking, or something similar. It seems to be getting more common.

Do any of you notice this?

[taxi]

1. Ah, come on

They're just telling you that!

[demmiblue]

2. No. n/t

[Kaleva]

3. It may be you are more angry and little things now bother you.

Things that you didn't notice before or pay much mind to.

[grumpyduck]

4. Interesting point.

Thanks.

[Kaleva]

8. I know that if I'm more agitated, little things can bother me more.

[CrispyQ]

5. Self-absorbed.

And yes, I see it all the time. I chalk it up to a society that has fewer boundaries between private sphere behavior and public sphere behavior. By this I mean, too many in the public space act like they are at home, like they are allowed to bring their private space behavior into our public space without consequence—to act like they are the only person in the aisle, to be unaware of others around them, & how their activity impacts others. It's rude. I think the digital age plays a part, too.

But more recently, it also extends to bigotry. The racists are emboldened & feel they have the right to pollute our public space with their hate. It's up to all of us to tamp this down & let them know, no, it's not acceptable.

[dalton99a]

7. +1. Trump gave them the FREEDOM to invade any space and do whatever they want

[Sur Zobra]

6. Yes, but

there have always been rude people; though it seems like there are more of them

[Throck]

9. People are burnt out and tired of the social restrictions.

[applegrove]

10. I forgot my mask last week. Thankfully i clued in before the bus came and had a mask

in my pocket.

[Midnight Writer]

11. Drivers as well. I used to chalk it up to my aging perceptiveness, but now I think it is real.

[roamer65]

12. Desocialization.

The lack of contact with other people.

I have noticed it. People seem ruder and generally more awkward in social situations now.

[Xavier Breath]

13. They are, though I might also refer to it

as "selfishness." There's little to no concern for those around them and they're only interested in their immediate needs. You see numerous examples when driving, as you illustrated. But, it's also in the way they let their kids run through the store aisle like lunatics, or taking 27 items into the 10 or less checkout. It's all about them.

[VarryOn]

14. The worst are those that drive in the left lane on the interstates...

Impeding traffic and forcing other drivers to pass them on the right. A huge pet peeve of mine!

[USALiberal]

15. Maybe because you are "Grumpy"??? nt

[Buckeye_Democrat]

16. I wouldn't know, after more than a year of pick-up...

... orders from the grocery store.

Don't notice much of a difference while driving.

It was generally older people who blocked the grocery store aisles in the past for me, acting like they'd worked hard all of their lives and everyone else could just deal with it now. As they slowly compared prices, with their carts in the middle of the aisles. I suspect that pattern hasn't changed much.

Them and unobservant young children, but it's more understandable with them.