December 15, 2025
Respect & Courtesy in the U.S. , December 2025
Americans Perceive Growing Lack of Respect in the U.S.
Nearly all Americans perceive a growing deficit of courtesy and respect in the United States, and more than eight in ten believe that Americans used to treat each other with more courtesy and respect. However, many Americans are forward thinking and do not wax nostalgic for the proverbial “good old days.” When thinking about the past 75 years, nearly half say either the 1990s or the 1980s was the best decade to live through in the United States.
Most Americans (91%) agree or strongly agree that a lack of respect and courtesy in the United States is a growing problem. Nine percent either disagree or strongly disagree. Agreement spans generations. However, Baby Boomers/Silent/Greatest Generation (95%) and Gen X (94%) are more likely than Millennials (89%) and Gen Z (86%) to think that courtesy and respect is lacking in the United States.
Three in four Americans (75%) say rude and selfish behavior has increased in places such as highways, stores, and airports in recent years. Five percent, though, believe this behavior has declined in recent years. One in five (20%) say it has remained about the same.
Most Americans (90%) either agree or strongly agree that the courtesy and respect are contagious -- the more people do it, the more it spreads. Nine percent (9%) either disagree or strongly disagree with that sentiment.
More than eight in ten (84%) think Americans used to treat each other with more courtesy and respect in the past. 16% do not think that is the case.
72% of Americans say they spend more time thinking about the future than reminiscing about the past (28%).
When thinking about the past 75 years, one in four Americans (25%) think the 1990s was the best decade to live through in America followed closely by the 1980s with 21%. The 2000s and 1970s receive 11% each, while 10% say the 2010s was the best decade in recent American history. Nine percent mention the 1950s while 6% note this decade (2020s) is the best in memory. An additional 6% have that view of the 1960s.
Methodology
This Marist Poll national survey of 1,443 adults was conducted November 10th through November 13th, 2025, by the Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for all adults (n=1,443) are statistically significant within ±3.0 percentage points. Results for registered voters (n=1,291) are statistically significant within ±3.1 percentage points. For full methodology and tables, click on the Survey Data button below.