While New York researchers were crafting survey questions on rudeness in 2001, Cincinnati was spinning in the aftermath of riots, curfews and racial divisiveness. Rude people seemed hardly a priority here. But now they are noticeable again, and a new national survey says the numbers of rude people are growing.

        Public Agenda, a New York nonprofit dedicated to nonpartisan public-policy research, released the results of its nationwide telephone survey in April. Participants were asked about causes of rudeness — which they cited as happening in stores, on roadways and online — and how to get rid of rudeness.

RUDE IN CINCINNATI

The Enquirer's committee on Really Unbecoming and Demeaning Experiences, the RUDE brood, has researched the “less considerate” element in the Tristate and cites as outstandingly annoying the following examples:   • The driver who begins a turn in the outer traffic and cuts you off. You sound your horn; he gestures with a finger and yells, apparently confusing you with someone named “Mitch.”   • The waiter at a nice restaurant who treats you as if you don't belong there for his or her own reasons.   • The seller at an upscale boutique who treats you like you dont' belong there (resembles the waiter).   • The film freak who can't wait to discuss the action in the movie — or anything else — during the movie.   • The cell phone fanatic who ignores lunch companions to hold a conversation with someone obviously more important, probably on another cell phone.   • The teen talker who huddles with co-conspirators at the shopping mall escalator, yammering alternately toward her/his phone and his/her friends, then gives you a scolding glare for glancing in his/her direction and “eavesdropping”.   • The litterbug who tosses fast-food wrappers and beer and soda cans out the car window.   • The diner (perhaps over-beveraged) at one of several local bar-restaurants with a sports theme. Expect anything.   • The walker who meanders ever so slowly down busy sidewalks with a pair of friends, all of them oblivious to the rest of the world. At three abreast, they block your path to being on time.

        Eight out of 10 surveyed said lack of courtesy is a serious problem in our country. But here's the kicker: The survey showed virtually no regional differences. People across the country are equally rude.

        Talk about a rude awakening for Cincinnatians. After all, this is where people are known for politely saying “please?” instead of “huh?” when asking people to repeat themselves.

        The longstanding belief is that Cincinnatians can't help but be polite, and people here who reacted to the surveyfound the results hard to believe.

        “What I have experienced is that it does depend on what part of the country you're living in,” says Marja Wade Barrett, a professional consultant on business and family etiquette. And “I find people to be courteous in this region.”

        Mrs. Barrett, from Fort Mitchell, believes the kindness quotient fades “toward New York, where life is a bit more hectic or rushed.”

        “This has been true for years.”

        Jerry Lehr, a businessman from Detroit, said he, too, considers Cincinnatians more hospitable than people in other cities. “More so than Cleveland — or than Detroit,” he says.

        “I've enjoyed Cincinnati. I think it's because it's not such a transient city. People here have been here (awhile).”

        Mr. Lehr, who was in town for a trade show at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center last week, says he visits the Queen City frequently.

        “I'll tell you how you can tell how polite a city is,” he says. “It's by dealing with people on a business level. People can be superficial on the street. But a business environment is different. People here — in this region — are more down to earth. I think you can trust them a little more.”

        He describes Cincinnati-area people as “chatty ... cordial ... helpful.”

ABOUT THE SURVEY

Public Agenda, a New York nonprofit dedicated to nonpartisan public-policy research, surveyed 2,013 people nationwide by telephone in January. The report Aggravating Circumstances: a Status Report on Rudeness in America was released last month. Among its findings:   • Eight out of 10 respondents cited lack of courtesy as a serious problem.   • Six of 10 said the problem is growing.   • Almost three out of four said people became more considerate after the Sept. 11 attacks.   • Almost half predicted the wave of thoughtfulness would be short-lived.   • Nearly two out of 10 said the wave of thoughtfulness already had passed.

        On the retail front, three out of four national survey respondents said they had seen customers treat sales people badly. On the other hand, nearly half said that, as customers, they had walked out of stores because of the way employees treated them.

        On the road, more than three out of 10 admitted to driving too aggressively, at least occasionally.

        Nearly two out of 10 of those respondents with cell phones confirmed they have used them inappropriately at restaurants and concert halls and other public places.

        It's bad enough when people use cell phones on a busy downtown sidewalk or announce to an invisible being, “I'm at Kroger . . . Can you hear me now?” Or when the busy executive refuses to leave the office behind, even when on the Winton Woods horse trails.

        But it was worse when phones rang last September during an emotional Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra tribute to victims of terrorism and last summer at the Cincinnati Opera's opening night production of Madame Butterfly.

ABOUT PUBLIC AGENDA

Public Agenda is nationally recognized for influential public-opinion polls and balanced citizen-education materials.   In preparing for the survey on rudeness a year ago, the agency conducted focus groups in seven U.S. cities. The closest was Cleveland. Respondents in the survey — 18 years old or older — answered more than 100 questions.

        “Lack of manners for Americans is not whether you confuse the salad fork for the dinner fork,” says Deborah Wadsworth, Public Agenda president. “It's about the daily assault of selfish, inconsiderate behavior that gets under (people's) skin on the highways, in the office, on television, in stores and the myriad other settings where they encounter fellow Americans.”

        Mrs. Barrett said she believes Americans have encountered a sudden surge in meanness, partly because of violent movies and TV shows held from release because of Sept. 11, then released in multiples early this year.

        “What you see, a lot of times, is, when you see ... violence, this has a tendency to repeat itself in real life.”

        Four out of 10 survey respondents admitted to behaving badly themselves and contributing to the civility problem.

        As for excuses, survey respondents pointed to overcrowding, too much anonymity and the pressures of fast-paced lives. More than eight of 10 said too many parents fail to teach respect to their children.

        Mrs. Barrett agrees.

        “Young people may not be getting the instruction they need,” she says, “With parents being so busy, social courtesies are not reinforced enough.

        “That's where our concentration needs to be — helping young children, knowing social courtesies and doing what is right.”

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