Too pessimistic, "sky is falling" to me. It IS still how our society works; people just need to be reminded of it. Maybe we can (in part) blame technology, constant emails/texts/impersonal contact, etc., for the fact that people seem less polite and respectful. However, human nature hasn't changed. If you treat people with kindness and decency, it is almost always returned (in my experience, at least). I say that we need reminding, because when I say "thank you, please, would you mind if I...," people seem caught off guard by the politeness, and respond in kind.
I was filing a couple of papers recently at Yolo Superior, the clerk was busy, didn't look me in the eye as she collected my docs, stamped them, etc. (but she wasn't rude at all, just not "friendly"). When she finished, I said a simple "thank you," and she looked at me, completely caught off guard, and said "you are very welcome" in a nice, sweet tone. My point is that politeness still "works," even if we practice it less.
