Survey Finds Internet Makes People Rude; New Yorkers Agree
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There's an epidemic of incivility in cyberspace.
A recent national survey called rudeness a "national crisis," with 70 percent of respondents blaming technology for the spike in disrespect.
Many New Yorkers admit they've received not-so-sweet tweets and unfriendly Facebook messages, 1010 WINS John Montone reported Thursday.
More: New York Named Rudest City In America
Does The Internet Make Us More Rude?
In fact, the survey found that folks are "unfriending" or blocking "friends" on Facebook because of rude behavior, and 50 percent of those asked said they had ended a friendship in real life because of it.
"When you tweet, it's more like a thought process, so you're just writing what you feel," said one New Yorker. "But when you actually speak, you filter yourself when you speak."
A virtual dispute can spill over into reality, added a Bronx resident.
"If somebody squashed a beef, whatever they have, through words or on Facebook, then basically, they'll squash it," said Travis from the Bronx. "But sometimes it doesn't squash because someone will keep it going."
But for all the coarseness on the computer, New Yorkers also say face-to-face interactions in this city can be just as disrespectful.
"Every single day when I'm at work, people act like I'm their slave," one local waitress said. "They're just like, 'Get me this, get me that.'"
"I've had doors slammed in my face in public places before, and I always hold the door," said one woman. "And people never say 'thank you' when you do it for them."
A nationwide survey of 1,000 Americans finds that rude behavior is the new norm.
"Road rage, when I'm driving and I'm cursing at people and hollering at people," Cliffside Park resident Sheron Buchanan told CBS 2's Cindy Hsu.
"It is out of control, especially I see here in the city, people rubbing up against you, walking against you," Manasquan resident James Bourke added.
"People are just waiting in line to rush their way in without politely letting passengers come off," Lily Chin from Brooklyn said of the subways.
The survey found 81 percent of those polled believe a lack of behavior is leading to more violence in our society.
Experts said all the texting and social media is eating away at our manners.
"So where we can shoot off a two-line e-mail to get our point across. We're then taking that and acting in the same way when we're face to face, we're missing social cues, we're missing emotional cues," psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hartstein told Hsu.
Public relations firm Weber Shandwick and public affairs firm Powell Tate partnered with KRC Research to conduct its fourth annual poll called Civility in America: A Nationwide Survey.
The only place that's actually looking up as far as civility is the workplace, according to the survey. It's the one spot where the survey found that "rudeness factor" went down over the last couple years.
When it comes to school, the survey found an increase in cyber-bullying.
Noah Tumibay, 8, said he use to be a bully but said his parents helped him turn things around last year.
"To always be nice and never lie or push around or call names," he told Hsu.
What's more, loud cellphone chatter also irks many on the streets of the city.
"I don't really need to hear about your gynecologist appoint," one New Yorker told 1010 WINS.
Those polled said Americans need to cut down on cursing, talking loudly on cellphones and constantly texting during meals.
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