Are people in the 21st century as gracious and welcoming as they were in 1816?

 

Why people aren't as gracious in the 21st century

About a year ago I was reading "Patterns on the Wall" by Elizabeth Yates. The book takes place in the 1800s and the people are gracious and welcoming. They gladly give strangers shelter and some food to eat.

The main character, Jared, is hired by a family (the Dunklees)  and he is welcomed into the house as a friend.  

When Jared first knocks on the door to the Dunklees, the mother of the household, Eliza, greets him warmly, saying, “Bless you, lad, come in! Is your horse all right? I’ll send one of the boys to the barn with it.” 

And when Eliza’s husband John Dunklee comes in from his work and finds Jared in the house he also greets him kindly, saying, “Welcome friend.” 

This was a normal thing to do back then, but now...?

Is it the same in modern day?

Are people in the 21st century as gracious and welcoming as they were in 1816? 

Unfortunately things have changed and I think we can all come up with the answer in a matter of seconds. Of course not. People don't just do this anymore. It's no longer safe.

Sure, people still do nice things, but in modern day things are a lot different. It's out of the question to welcome a stranger into your house.

Not that it was perfect in the 1800s either, but it still was safer. 

Another example of this kindness comes from a book on John Greenleaf Whittier (which is a true story). The Whittier family also received strangers kindly, welcoming them into their house without delay. 

So, I think the answer is clear, no, people in the 21st century aren't as gracious and welcoming as they were in 1816?

Thank you for reading this week's post and let me know if you agree. Why or why not? If you have any other questions you want me to answer, or anything else I should write about, just let me know!

Oh, in case you were wondering, the next post will be on the benefits of juggling.

Thanks for reading,

The Writer