Where did the straight-talkers go?

When I first moved to the US, I was 10 years old. I didn't know the language, I got bullied and picked on for being hispanic, I didn't understand the culture and missed my friends back home dearly.

Fast forward to 2001 when I moved back to the states, and I was dumbfounded. It took me a while to figure it out. I figured maybe it was the social circle I was with. Maybe I had just romanticized the time spent in the south.

But then I moved back to the south. Now here I am, 9 years since I left Georgia thinking: these people are racist, xenophobic, devoid of sophistication and intellect...

But at least they'll tell it to your face.

What ever happened to the stern, but polite good-ol'-boy who didn't beat around the bush? What ever happened to saying what you mean and meaning what you say? Where did the opinionated, yet respectful cowboys go? Why have people forgotten that you don't have to agree with me for me to find you respectful and of having tact?

Living in California, it was easy to blame the smug attitude and worse manners, but here? Of all places? Maybe it's a global phenomenon? Back home everyone's afraid of getting mugged so they'll act the part of a tough-guy... or tough-woman for that matter. Women will talk to you like they're your big brother. Instead of the pleasantness Venezuelan women have always been known for, now they curse at you worse then the guy she's married to who's standing next to her.

But that's a third world country! When you're trying to survive, fending off would-be attackers and doing your best for you and your family, that's understandable. But here? In the US? Where people spend longer planning their vacations than they do enjoying it? Where people have the luxury of being depressed? In a country who's military budget is greater than most nation's GDP combined?

I'm not asking for much, am I?

Is it really that hard to tell someone you're not interested? Practice with me: smile... ok, fine smirk. Smirk and tilt your head a bit while saying "Thank you, but I'm not interested" See? Was that hard? If you want to be extra polite, you can even put your right hand on your chest while you say it.

"Oh noes! The evil salesperson kept me here for over 2 hours!" exclaims the timeshare presentation attendee, who was clearly informed that they only needed to stay 90 minutes. You couldn't get up? you couldn't, in a calm and mature way excuse yourself and ask to leave?

Is it really that hard to push a single button on a website that will "politely decline" for you?

A button... Seriously?

A button.

We've become such pussy-footers, so easily offended, so indecisive and meek that people have started businesses out of alerting your ex-boy/girlfriend that s/he is just that... your ex... via facebook.

For God's sake people, grow a pair! You don't have to be rude to say what you mean, it's called being assertive. You'll be amazed at the results it yields.