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Loud music from sound systems often go on into the wee hours of the morning, disturbing neighbours in residential communities.

Kenneth N. Bingham and Martin H. Bingham, Contributors

"Perhaps if we could examine the manners of different nations with impartiality, we should find no people so rude as to be without rules of politeness; nor any so polite as not to have some remains of rudeness." These words appear in Benjamin Franklin's, 'Remarks on the Politeness of the Savages of North America'.

This is a satirical piece on perceptions of Native American culture and practices, written around 1783. We should feel constrained to find out where we fall on that continuum, or, more importantly, in which direction we are tending.

The behaviour on our roads is troubling and there is cause for deep concern. Can anyone traverse our roadways without being exposed to varying degrees of danger? Traffic violations often take place with great impunity and regularity. The red light and stop signs have lost their significance.

How we communicate over the telephone is an important yardstick, demonstrating an understanding of the basic rules of politeness and good manners. "Please hold", "One moment, please", or "Ma'am", or "Sir", are rarely offered, anymore. Instead, we hear "Hold", "Hold on" (often pronounced "hole" or "old"), "Hole fa mi", "Ahright", "OK", "Wan sec", among other informal and grossly inappropriate utterances.

Young people enter our organisations with little appreciation for the dynamics of the workplace or the basic rules of good manners and civility. That is no fault of theirs. The homes, communities and the educational system are apparently not doing enough in this direction. Organisations do not seem to provide sufficient orientation, training and supervision either. (Of course, this is an unnecessary burden for organisations to bear. However, in today's climate, they may have no choice!)

There is a steady decline in standards of good manners and civility. No one in any organisation of any size or a well-regulated household, for that matter, should display the casual, off-hand attitudes being witnessed at the workplace today. "Please", "Thanks", "You're welcome", should, at the minimum, once again become an integral part of our lives and the way we communicate with each other.

The coarsening of Jamaica takes some subtle forms as well. The experience in attempting to get information or contact officers in our organisations, falls in a category of its own. "I have no idea", or "I can't say", are among standard responses lacking in politeness or helpfulness.

Experiences as a patient

One of us was a patient in a private hospital two years ago. During the first night after surgery, he pressed the buzzer for assistance about 1:00 a.m. A nurse appeared in the doorway of the private ward soon after. From there, she remarked with apparent annoyance in her voice and on her face: "You pressed the buzzer?" Relating his experiences as a patient, a former dean of the Faculty of Medicine, UWI, (The Gleaner 19/5/04) spoke of insensitive remarks made by members of the medical fraternity at his bedside. These are institutions and individuals ostensibly dedicated to caring for the sick.

No great structure ever preceded its foundation. Months ago, a call was made to the home of friends in Portmore. The elderly gentleman who answered complained about the loud music being played in a nearby club. It was early Sunday afternoon. The music, he advised, was being played every day; loud, lewd and into the wee hours of the morning. Patrons, he noted, added their quota of profanities. And this is a residential community!

The lack of civility is a serious indictment on the way we do business and conduct ourselves in Jamaica today. We have, as a people, simply allowed things to slide. We are a nation with great potential and possibilities - not yet a great nation.We would be well advised to consider the importance of good manners and civility in nation building. Of the Native Americans, Franklin wrote: "To interrupt another, even in common conversation is reckoned highly indecent." This observation, made 224 years ago, should have an ominous ring in our ears - from the Parliament to the domino table.

Our high levels of crime and violence are arguably the most extreme manifestation of the coarsening of Jamaica. It has led The Economist to describe Jamaica as, "the most murderous country in the world." We are paying a heavy price internationally for the failure to address this issue. It should not be surprising then that we have difficulty attracting investment, both from local and overseas investors. Perhaps we should direct more of our resources to correcting these problems and putting our house in order.

We are all able to recount experiences of great service and civility on the part of individuals across the spectrum of organisations with which we interact. However, in our experience, it is not the rule. Nowadays, it appears to be the mere exception.

Kenneth N. Bingham is a consultant in human resource management. Martin H. Bingham is a political economist. They may be contacted at articles.newera@yahoo.com.