We’ve gained a lot but lost our good manners

RECENT reports claimed we’re the second richest nation in the world.

Great — but are we better citizens and a happier nation? When our English neighbours were flooded out recently, did we collectively or individually offer to help? Did it even occur to any of us to do so — perhaps we will contribute next time the floods strike Bangladesh.

If we are the second richest country, why are our footpaths, streets and lanes always so littered and why are our buses and bus stops vandalised?

If life is so great here, why do so many of us end up in a drunken stupor at weekends? When we go to the checkout, are we greeted with the same courtesy we were shown even 10 years ago?

Materialism may be all that matters now, but we have paid the price with the loss of human decency.

Jeremiah O’Sullivan

2 Carolina Tce

Montenotte

Cork