The collapse of etiquette and the collapse of culture

That's the topic of this post by Ken Larive over at The Examiner:  Failing etiquette is another sign of social decadence. (Hat tip to Tea at Trianon.) Manners are a product of training, of habit, as Larive observes:

Etiquette is something not readily taught in school. It is learned early by trial and error, by lessons, a training, of sorts, by family and friends, and by observation. Observation, i.e., a good example. Most likely it is set in place by the age of seven, and from my point of view, constantly corrected throughout one's life. It is called good breeding. It is called an education.

The coarsening of our culture is mostly clearly evident in the collapse of manners in our daily interactions with each other. While good manners are not a substitute for good character, good manners are an essential social virtue that enables people to interact with each other productively and peacefully. Manners are a way of showing concern for others -- and in an overwhelmingly narcissistic age, it should be no surprise that manners are on the decline.  Redeem the time, however, and begin to practice the virtues of good etiquette.