Not learning any class in class (or at home)...

While we're on the topic of my sister's graduation, I wanted to comment on the lack of class by people attending the ceremony.

Up until apparently recently, people saw graduations as a serious, solemn affair, which is why it involved so much ceremony (robes, speeches, etc.). You went to these things to support the graduate and to listen to the inspirational words of each speaker. Nowadays, it's all about who can yell the loudest (even if it means people can't hear what's going on) and bring the biggest bouquet of balloons (even if they block half the audience's view). =/

My sister's graduation was no exception and it included (but wasn't limited to) such grossly rude behaviour as:

• Talking during speeches, including the one by the GUEST speaker (way to welcome a guest).
• Allowing children to stand on chairs.
• Allowing children to scream.
• Mocking the speakers.
• Honking loud air horns during the speakers' speeches.
• Professors (PROFESSORS!!) encouraging graduates to start clapping so that the guest speaker would "wrap up" her speech.

Wow. WOW! What has happened to us as a society that we could act that rude, insensitive, and UNEDUCATED at such an important event? I don't care how tired or bored you were--I was too--but that doesn't give anyone the right to act so uncivilized.

What if I came to your wedding ceremony and did every single one of the things listed above? How would you feel then? You would have me thrown out. I would have you thrown out if you did that to me! So what's the difference?

What a very sad picture of what we have become. Parent and Professors, and people in general, should know better than all this...

Times really have changed for the worse.