Do you see a lot of "I Don't Care" Attitudes in Daily Life?

@kareng (53379)
United States
October 18, 2007 8:29pm CST
I was thinking today of how many people we encounter in daily life that has bad attitudes--you know like, "I don't care". You go through a drive throgh window and the clerk is not friendly and you rarely get a "thank you". You have people in your own workplace that could care less about doing a good job...they just do what they have to in order to get by. You ask a clerk in a store whee you can find a particular item. You get a response of "I don't know". Are you seeing this attitude more often these days or is it just me? I'm seeing this way too often here and on a daily basis! What about you?
6 people like this
20 responses
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
19 Oct 07
I really do see that a lot more often these days. I have heard, I don't care, It's not my responsibility, not my job, who cares and they don't pay me enough to worry about it. With this kind of attitude who does get paid enough to worry about it? Are we truly in the age of passing the buck? I was in Wal-mart one afternoon trying to find the right size undergarment in the ladies section. I asked one of the stockers if she could assist me (of all people she should know where the item would be located). She looked at me as if I had crapped on her wheaties for asking her such a thing as if they had this certain item in my size. She said "I don't know, if you can't find it on the rack, it's probably not there" then walked away. I was completely dumb founded! I can say that I do'nt shop at that location anymore. I will go ten miles out of my way to shop at another Walmart because they treat you so badly.
2 people like this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
26 Oct 07
You left out "I didn't do it!" lol! I don't blame you for not shopping there anymore. People in the service industry should serve....that is their job. I really hate to see what this world is coming to.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Thankfully I don't get this..gee..Lucky I guess...LOL ...But as far as what you may be encountering... one never knows what kind of moods people will be in...it could be that maybe they're going through a really rough time in their lives and are wrapped up in their own problems to be helpful to others..I sometimes might be that way myself if my life's in a turmoil, or I'm just not feeling great..so I sometimes find it a bit hard to be cheerful or helpful at times
2 people like this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
26 Oct 07
True! Thanks for your insight.
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
19 Oct 07
Yes there does seem to be a certain attitude, I think it is all due to the new age selfishness, nothing matters to some that does not benefit them in some way, it is a very sad sad thing in this day and age, there is so much of it today sometimes I feel like a fool for be nice...
@kareng (53379)
• United States
22 Oct 07
I agree. It is rare to see a kid with manners these days. Sad!
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Everyday.....I think sometimes the whole economy thing has lots to do with it..many are depressed or struggling in low paying jobs and can't get ahead. I don't think it's acceptable, they should at least try to be pleasant and to their job to the best of their ability. When you are waiting on the public that is part of your job. Lately around where I live our weather has been so crappy that people have bad attitudes...we seriouly need some sunshine!
2 people like this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
22 Oct 07
Good point!
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Yes, I've seen this attitude. It's usually the people that if they were motivated have so much they could give the job or situation. But they don't care. Also, people don't read. I work at PetSmart, but not for them. I sell dog food for my company as a demonstrator, which is written right on my shirt. No one reads my shirt. They just ask me where things are and I really don't know where things are. All I know is where my dog and cat food are. But I do usually help them find someone who does know. But that takes time away from me selling and doing what I'm supposed to do there. But the young people at PetSmart where I am always smile and help people. Even when they're tired, they still smile and are helpful. That's one of the reasons I like where I am. Take care
@kareng (53379)
• United States
23 Oct 07
You have a good point, that is another true problem...people not reading!
1 person likes this
@peanutjar (5198)
• Canada
19 Oct 07
Yep,my brothers one,the cashier at the local gas/store,a girl at the local coffe shop(she never smiles and is miserable)and alot more.One time last week i went to macdonalds and got my food through the drive through and asked what was in a certain sub(sauce)he said to me,a paying customer"i dont know,lok at the sign it tells you whats the sauce,piff".Holy,holy,moly,my horns came out then!I said"well if you dont know then why are you working here?!Just for show because its certainly not for manners".The boss was there and heard,i said it low mind you.He came and asked her to go in the back and help.He gave me my meal free and also said he had alot of complaints from people of her.I wonder why!Grumpy and miserable people. Peanutjar:)
2 people like this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
23 Oct 07
Oh wow, makes ya wonder why he kept her on payroll if he gets lots of complaints. Gee. Well at least you got a free meal!
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
19 Oct 07
Ah the wonderful world of complacency and apathy, it's not my problem and go away and bother someone else because I am filing my nails, I'm too busy I've got someone to talk about on my mobile to talk about the weather! I know exactly where you are coming from and added to that no one wants to take responsibility any more, not their problem always someone elses! No one cares and we have become a selfish nation sadly and it can only get worse!
@kareng (53379)
• United States
30 Jan 08
Selfish is a good description. You hit the nail on the head. Society as a whole has become selfish.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
19 Oct 07
I agree. There are lots of people who want a paycheck not a job. The other thing is that they want more than minimum wage, but do not even put out minimum effort. On the other hand there are the silent, behind the scenes type people who bust a gut giving you what you want and need, and a little bit more, and we seldom see or notice these super heroes, we take them for granted. I think we should be sure to treat people the way we want to be treated, boycott the lazy and indifferent, and praise the exceptional job, and give what we can give as well.
1 person likes this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
2 Dec 07
Yep, that is a good suggesstion, Gerty!
1 person likes this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Yes, I'm seeing alot more too. It's discouraging and makes me think good manners and customer service have gone out the window! I wonder if it's just a sign of the times on how stressed and overworked people are? I don't know. Still no excuse for bad manners though!
@kareng (53379)
• United States
31 Jan 08
That probably has a lot to do with it. You should always be considerate of others though.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
19 Oct 07
Oh yes I am too. One time when I was shopping I asked where something was and hardly even answered me. So I told them if they didnt like their job they should really get another one.LOL
1 person likes this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
30 Jan 08
Yep, I agree with you. If you are on the job, you should do it!
@lucky_witch (2707)
• Philippines
19 Oct 07
Well, yes I have encounter a lot of it in everyday life. People seem not to care esp they dont have something to do with it, it they think they will not be affected by it, if the person involve is not known to them , most of the time people dont care at all. I cant say anything more about it, its their choice not to care. I just see to it that I do my part in having concern with things.
1 person likes this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
25 Nov 07
Sad!!
• China
19 Oct 07
if you encourt someone who have nothing to do at that time ,i think he will help you .but now everyone has his things ,so they are very busy .we can't require others too more.
1 person likes this
• Brazil
19 Oct 07
First of all, "I Don´t Know" is completelly different from "I Don´t Care". The first, mean whem ppl is not to that issue and really dont know the subject. The "I don´t care" is a bad answer, but like you said is (just) bad. There are days that we wakeup with very very "low" humor and we are not for anyone, and sudenlly apear someone happy that make a question to you, and so the happy guy can get a kickass. So i could say, the worst attitudes are from bad day or temporally, but there is much people without a minimum of education that neither looks to you and so what you say about that not friendlly person? I don´t care(too). We care to who care to us.
1 person likes this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
30 Jan 08
It takes all kinds to make the world go around!
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
19 Oct 07
All the time. I see it in the public in general. I see it in customer service. I see it in people driving. It all gets annoying and sometimes it does boil the blood a bit.
1 person likes this
@kareng (53379)
• United States
30 Jan 08
So true, it seems to be everywhere these days!
• India
19 Oct 07
Yes I most often find people with this attitude.Probably it is because of the culture that is prevailing in the culture.It might also be because people dont want to take up pressures.They want to free and careless and enjoy the world to its fullest
@kareng (53379)
• United States
29 Jan 08
I think a lot of it is the younger generation :)
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
21 Oct 07
I do see people like this a lot. I try to be nice to people at stores and restaurants and I see sometimes that turns them around. Maybe they've had so many bad experiences that they just don't care anymore. Or maybe they are just jerks all the time! In the end, I try to be friendly to everyone b/c you never know, they may just be having a bad day.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 Jan 08
I run into this sometimes when I go out and I've noticed that if I put out an effort to be upbeat and happy when I greet ppl they often respond back the same way. Besides, they say that it takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown :) **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
@raychill (6525)
• United States
19 Oct 07
That's very true. I guess I never really thought about this before, but you're totally spot on. I mean, I know I don't care about things sometimes and I go about with a careless attitude...but I've got respect. I think that's what I've always chalked this up to being. A lack of respect. People seem to forget that they aren't the only soul in the world. People also seem to forget manners and just how to respect others as well as themselves. Take for instance, driving. Not using blinkers or turning on their lights when it's raining. Cutting you off or not paying attention to where they are going. Or like you're example of a "thank you" it's respect and manners. One of my biggest pet peeves is that no one says "bless you" when I Sneeze when I'm at work. I just think it's soooo rude! I hate that. People really are pretty selfish, disrespectful and careless these days it seems.
• Philippines
19 Oct 07
hi there! yes, i do meet a lot of people like that and i'm frustrated about it. I often meet them at every government offices. It's quite unusual because as public servant you are expected to serve nicely. One time, i went to a national agency to ask something about my research. I met this lady and i ask her in a very nice way. To my surprise she just look at me and answered me that " I don't know about that!!!" (with an angry face). I think this is injustice. Isn't it great that if a person ask you, you'll reply in a nice way and a warm heart? is it a hard thing to do?
@kareng (53379)
• United States
6 Nov 07
No it is not hard to do and not too much to ask. It is part of their job to be friendly and courteous. Manners are becoming something of the past real fast in today's society!
• United States
19 Oct 07
Absolutley. It seems nobody cares much about anything or anybody but themselves any more. Every one seems to think the rest of the world revolves around them. Another thing that annoys me -- When I was growing up we were taught right from wrong. Yes there used to be things that were just plain wrong and decent people didn't behave that way. Now it seems that things have changed to right and it's ok. If it is what you like or it makes you feel good or it is something you want to do - well it's ok- nothing is wrong anymore.
• India
19 Oct 07
It there all over the place. People are no longer concerned about each other. They have learned to live for themselves. If one has to face a problem in public, very few tend to help. Its the curse of modern age living. People have busy schedules and cant waste time on silly passers by. If anyone crowds around a site of trouble is only because of curiosity and they seldom move in to help. Many even move on without any answers if asked directions. Being rude is common and probably their stresses in life can be a factor. Some have no reason at all. 'Thank you' is dying. These words are hard to obtain and people have the notion that it is unnecessary to thank a person for a help. They may just smile or walk off. If this is difficult then what about 'Sorry'. I hear that often when anyone stamps my foot accidentally or bump into me etc.Its like pre-recorded. But a few dont even apologise. They may react with a stare or may even demand an apology or may curse me for not being careful.Respect is deteriorating. What will the world become in years to come. I cant imagine.