I have recently had some interesting experiences relating to generational differences with regard to manners; the way the young see the elderly and their more “traditional” manners, and the way the elderly see the youth of today with their “lack of manners and respect”. It all began a few weeks ago, while I was on vacation and taking a quiet walk along a nearby street with my dogs. An older gentleman (I think he would have been late 70s)went past me on a bike, and then stopped suddenly to look at a new “McMansion” being built on the other side of the road. I acknowledged him with a smile and a “good morning”, and he said: “I grew up in the house that used to be there”. I remembered the previous house as being quite elegant, on a large block, filled with beautiful trees. He said: “I lived there for the whole of my childhood”...and then commenced to tell me about the suburb in those days and what he remembered of the area at that time...