Manners, Manners and WTF!?

It has become more and more apparent to me that the human race is falling into a rut. This rut has some pretty negative connotations and is beginning to lead us into a disastrous place, a place where survival of the fittest may mean a movement back into the dark ages, a time where killing your brother is part of becoming a great warlord (Genghis Khan did it, and he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others).

Quite simply the human being is forgetting that the simplest bits of what being human are all about. What is it that differentiates us from mere animals? Is it not that we treat our weak (weak may not necessarily be a sign of strength in this case) and aged with some level of humanity (interesting choice of word here and you will see why further on).

Take for example the situation that I had the displeasure of being involved in this morning:

"Whilst popping into my local food depot - yes I require a relatively large quantity of protein (please see http://www.phlippysaurus.blogspot.com/ - Mad Protein post :) ) I was asked by a rather vertically challenged lady to pass her some produce from the top shelf. Being that I am a tall lad it was merely a stretch, grab and pass - easy enough... and being that I am usually quite well mannered with a "There you go Ma'am" I passed the product to the "nice lady" and turned to carry on my basket loading.

There was little warning for the verbal abuse that I received from the second I had let go of the said product.

My friends that know me well can attest to my being quite happy to hurl some abuse when required; but its usually directed at someone I know well... there is of course the usual chirp whilst involved in some sport or other...

But I have never to this day (including this day) insulted or patronised a stranger of any creed, size, height etc on purpose for no reason, so to be told that I have insulted someone by merely doing them a favour (and showing said person a little respect) is totally ludicrous. In my mind it made no difference that this woman was dressed like my 13 year old niece and was no less than a day older than 60. I was merely doing what I would do for anyone – helping when/if I can.”

I wonder where society is headed if the so-called elders that we are to follow, respect and learn from; cannot distinguish between a helping hand and an insult - I guess there are more cracks in society than I had initially thought.

So my question is, how would you define humanity? Is there really a problem or was this dear Madam part of the exception – gee I hope so!?