Are people getting more rude? Are they more rude/mean where you live?

I don't know. I think you've just been experiencing some bad apples. I think there's a good split between rude AND nice people, at least where I live - in Minnesota of the United States. I can't generalize and say that MORE & MORE people are becoming more RUDE or nicer - because obviously I don't see the whole population on a day to day basis. But I haven't noticed anything.

Yes, I think people are getting more rude. I am not sure if it is just that I notice more now that I am older or if it is actually true. I wonder if people care about each other at all. I remember my mother going to the neighbors to get sugar or milk... I don't know most of my neighbors at all. I think driving has gotten terrible too. I don't ever remember people being flipped off and being screamed at like they do now. I try really hard to teach my children kindness and tolerance without prejudging others. I don't think that happens enough in some homes.