Modren Britons are so busy they are forgetting common courtesy and manners, according to a new poll.
Hectic work schedules and the distraction of smartphones means one in three people no longer remembers to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ as often as they should, the survey found.
Seven in ten of the 2,000 people polled admitted they were less polite now than they were ten years ago.
And six in ten even went as far as to reveal they struggle to find the time to initiate a conversation or say ‘hello’.
Hectic work schedules and the distraction of smartphones means one in three people no longer remembers to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ as often as they should, the survey found
It also emerged men are more likely than women to forget their manners amid our time-poor lives.
The poll found 31 per cent of us forget to say thank you while another 34 per cent regularly forget to say please.
Around half of those quizzed said they frequently walk away or end a phone call without saying goodbye.
Our lack of manners are hurting the feelings of 85 per cent of the nation, according to the survey.
A kind gesture often goes unnoticed, with 19 per cent of the nation forgetting to thank strangers for holding a door open.
And seven in ten will respond with a sarcastic, ‘You’re welcome,’ for this lack of gratitude.
Signs of good manners include listening well, offering guests a first choice and elbows off the table.
Over half the nation agree good manners include offering a tea round when making one for yourself and not reaching over others at the dinner table.
Despite being a nation of bad-mannered Brits, we still receive a number passing pleasantries from others.
Supermarket cashiers greet Brits with the most ‘hellos’, followed by coffee shop staff and receptionists.
Six in ten even went as far as to reveal they struggle to find the time to initiate a conversation or say ‘hello’, while around half of those quizzed said they frequently walk away or end a phone call without saying goodbye
We may not always be the ones to initiate the hello, but 69 per cent say they will respond to polite small talk.
And people typically exchange 59 good-natured remarks every day, which includes ten pleases, 11 thank yous and ten hellos.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple ‘hello’, with 22 per cent of Brits saying they have made a good friend from speaking to someone in a queue or coffee shop.
Just over one in ten are seeking advice on ways to speak to and meet new people.
Where over half will ask family and friends for advice and just over one third will join clubs or hobbies.
And 11 per cent will use apps and websites that connect people in search of new friendships.
A spokesperson for Mentos, which commissioned the research, said: ‘When we’re busy, or engrossed in our phones, we can often let our good manners slip – but we should all make the effort to be polite and say hello.
‘Many friendships have been forged after striking up spontaneous conversations – it’s worth making the effort to say hi, you might be surprised at the outcome.’