Picture this: you’re on a crowded Manhattan subway and, to your astonishment, you managed to score a seat between a cute high school girl and a slightly overweight construction worker. You’re doing the trademark New York City MTA method of not looking at anyone in the eyes or talking to a random stranger. As you sit there listening to your iPod, iPhone or iTouch (myself), you break one of the cardinal rules and take a quick look around only to see an old lady get on board. You’re amazed at how she can stand up straight, let alone walk (or know how to use a Metrocard).

You have a sudden feeling to do something you’ve never done before. (It’s called ‘the right thing.’)

You signal to this senior citizen when a young teenager swipes your spot as soon as you get up. You try to explain to him that it was intended for the elderly, but all you get is a blank stare because of your usage of the word ‘elderly.’ You point, in need of visual aid, to the old lady (who starts break dancing for change). You start to get angry at this total disregard of manners until his ‘posse’ comes and you decide getting off five stops before your destination would be good exercise.

Manners seem to have become less and less of a priority for our younger generations. Growing up in a society where the Wendy’s drive-thru replaces family dining tables and where teachers get fined for having students put chewing gum on their noses as disciplinary action, current students in all levels of education have definitely become a little ‘uncivilized.’

Table manners are a thing of the past as the dining halls are full of opened mouths with partially chewed food and the sound of crumbs leaving lips. (Cheap plug: use Chapstick! ‘ I’m getting paid for that, right?) Not to mention the wonderful musical addition of, ‘I make it rain on these hos,’ to my steak via cell phone ringtone. What has happened to our youth?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you have to drink your tea with your pinky out or have 12 spoons for different types of soup, but let’s be reasonable. Holding doors, saying ‘thank you,’ or excusing yourself after accidentally choking a bitch doesn’t seem like a lot to ask from our supposed ‘future.’

It might even be a little practical advice to landing a great job. Since the decline of proper etiquette in young individuals, corporate America has been concerned. Speaking politely and sitting upright during interviews are givens. Also, it comes in handy during business meetings/dinners, which will not only showcase your social skills, but also how you present yourself non-verbally, something that you might have to attend with your clients.

So the next time you feel that little urge to be polite, go with it. You never know if it can land you a job, make someone’s day or maybe just make you seem like a decent human being (even if we all know you’re not).