I'll admit up front I have not surveyed this thing on the internet that I'm going to try to put a label on. I guess I would call it a general feeling lf laziness all around. I call the store, no one answers, and if they do they don't give a damn and tell you they don't know and then we hang up without an answer one way or the other. Or I call a doctor's office and they're not following up on important tests they ordered, as if they just dropped the whole matter. Or people not showing up for work anymore just working from home and doing who knows what. That sort of thing, but I'm getting vibes that it's pervading everything in daily life. Have you noticed this ? I don't know if it's covid/wokeness/politics and general corruption across the board that's making everyone sick and tired of life in general, but something isn't right across the spectrum. If I were to add something to my definition of laziness, I'd say a lack of normal amount of common sense and drive to get stuff done, including a normal amount of moral decency and common sense. Whether it's retailers, local govenment, local law enforcement, city employees, our best Republicans sitting on their ass, or just about anything, something isn't right anymore. Looking at synonyms on the web maybe I'd call it lethargic, passive, neglectful, flagging, careless, apathetic, a sort of feeling like "I don't give a fuck about it, including you, so bye"

I just read the other thread of "Coworkers Quiet Quitting", and this seems may be related, but I'm talking about across the board in daily life. I called three different State Police offices last month a few days apart to report stolen license plates, but nobody answers the phone. Literally. Weekdays during business hours, for my own city and two adjacent cities, nobody pickes of the damn phone. The only thing I can think of after calling my own State Police is wtf is that?

Have you guys noticed anything like this, and can you explain it ? I can't. I'm tired of all the shit being shoved down my throat too, like everyone else, but I haven't thrown in the towel completely which is the feeling I'm getting on many more fronts than I've ever experenced before, and I'm 62.

So I'm just asking. There's tons of guys way smarter than I on this great forum. Could someone please explain it ?

Perhaps a lot of folks have learned the hard reality that even with the big “raises” they have gotten to entice them back to work that they just aren’t getting anywhere. If anything the little guy is now worse off. Prices on discretionary spending is up way more than the claimed inflation rate. Food, transportation and rent climbing faster than the “raise” as well.
Every job is only worth so much. If an employee is worth more, he needs to go get it.
I guess even the slackers see that now and they ain’t going to go get it.

Perhaps apathy? because what you gonna do against The Man?

Yep and it's been that way since January 2021. The morale of the country has been in the shitter and started that way in November 2020.

I believe most people aren't stupid but the stupid get the most attention and exposure through the media and social media.

The morale is in the shitter because many Americans don't believe this government and media.

Inflation is sky high yet the government, with a complicit media, are telling us it's only 9%. It's more like 20%+. Price of feeding your family has gone up 20%+.

Gas prices are still ridiculous.

Unemployment is high but the government and media won't tell you the truth. Massive layoffs from various companies.

Housing prices are high. Where are people getting this money from? Rent has gone up.

Yet all the media tells us is there isn't a recession, that nothing is wrong and if something is wrong, it's President Trump's fault.

Even in the darkest days after 9/11, the morale of this country wasn't in the toilet like it is now.

Some folks just dont want to pull their weight, blame everything on Covid, content to rely on government assistance. They’ve sold their souls.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Yep and it's been that way since January 2021. The morale of the country has been in the shitter and started that way in November 2020.

I believe most people aren't stupid but the stupid get the most attention and exposure through the media and social media.

The morale is in the shitter because many Americans don't believe this government and media.

Inflation is sky high yet the government, with a complicit media, are telling us it's only 9%. It's more like 20%+. Price of feeding your family has gone up 20%+.

Gas prices are still ridiculous.

Unemployment is high but the government and media won't tell you the truth. Massive layoffs from various companies.

Housing prices are high. Where are people getting this money from? Rent has gone up.

Yet all the media tells us is there isn't a recession, that nothing is wrong and if something is wrong, it's President Trump's fault.

Even in the darkest days after 9/11, the morale of this country wasn't in the toilet like it is now.

This is pretty much right on target.

As a plumber, I work for several young families, and the topic comes up "how long have you been doing this"? My typical answer is this is my 53rd year, I started working for my Dad at 12 and I'm still going.

Best sad reply I ever got was "No fucking way I'm working for that long!" Why not, I ask, don't you like your job? Most of the time they are thinking 20 years max! Losers!!

I think apathy is a good word to describe the attitude of many. Perhaps a whole generation. The ones just entering the entry-level fields may as well call them the apathy generation.

Yeah, around here what the OP is describing is still largely a generational gap among workers. OTOH, we may be seeing a lot of twerps who've been basement dwelling for the last couple of years who are trying to readjust to actually dealing with people in person on a regular basis, and there are still a pretty fair number of young people who are go-getters.

I see what you are talking about more on a nation wide basis but, to be honest, I don't find that attitude locally, where I live. People are pleasant, retail stores and restaurants have hard working people that are actually glad that you are there.

IDK, maybe it just hasn't hit here yet.

quote:

Originally posted by wreckdiver:
Most of the time they are thinking 20 years max! Losers!!

Unless they're military, most people are likely working more than 20 years in order to secure a retirement. I mean, if someone working 20 years is enough to secure a retirement, more power to them but I think that's more of an exception than a rule.

Say you work until you are 40 and live until you are 80, you made enough in 20 years of work to live off of for 40 years?

I heard the problem is caused by ignorance or apathy.

As for me, I don't know and I don't care.

Similar experience to the OPs:
Had some business I needed to discuss with Michigan DNR: many phone numbers listed but no answer at any of them.
Had some medical treatment that required follow up with my primary care doctor: Never happened.
Went to buy a gun at local large retailer. Prior to the trip, their website showed the gun in stock. At the counter was an unshaven, dirty appearing young male with unkempt long hair. I asked about the gun. He leaned over the display case, looked into it for about 10 seconds and told me the gun was not in stock. When I mentioned the website showing it in stock, he told me I had looked at the wrong store.
I think the things the OP is experiencing is becoming the norm. It may be a general depression in the minds of many people, apathy, stupidity and laziness.

We have found the opposite in the Tucson market. Since we’re just getting established with all of the things that go with a long move, we’ve been impressed with service in auto service, restaurants, medical offices and soon on. No issues here.

I had a great conversation and customer service experience with Wave cable/Astound broadband today. It was uplifting to receive such great service. Thumbs up to them! They have a happy customer.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I heard the problem is caused by ignorance or apathy.

As for me, I don't know and I don't care.

Ha! Good one.

I often wonder if this occurred just before Rome burned...

I have noticed the same thing in spots but not overall. Attribute it to the following

1. Certain industries are having a hard time when Covid hit, the auto industry is an example. They are on a just-in-time manufacturing model. However the supply chain is so broken, they are working hard to keep things normal and flowing. Even Toyota had to shut down plants without parts. The burnout is real.

2. Inflation - yep, nuff said. Financial stress is affecting everyone, even the rich.

3. General sense of lawlessness, especially in the cities. The "movements" generated an anti-police mentality and the Soros funded mo-cash bail DA's are encouraging people to commit crimes because they will not be punished.

So with all these stresses, why should a person give a F*CK??? (sorry for the French) So there is a general breakdown of civility and caring. And this affects certain generations more than others. The Boomers are mostly deep into retirement but I hear that due to this economy, they are coming back to work odd jobs because SS ain't covering it. Rapid inflation is no bueno on their fixed income.

Gen X is trying to tread water in this typhoon.... but mostly drowning.

Millennials - the first generation to do worst than their parents... and that was before Covid19 hit. Now....they have less of a chance of succeeding. Apathy has set in for them. Can you blame them???

Dude, it’s called 1974…

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bean:
Millennials - the first generation to do worst than their parents... and that was before Covid19 hit. Now....they have less of a chance of succeeding. Apathy has set in for them. Can you blame them???

You bet I can.