I agree, obg. There is a general lack of respect. I am, however teaching my children to be different from the rest of the world, and as a fourth grade teacher in a large school, I influence my students and others in my school to be different and to make a difference. In my classroom, students know on the first day that I expect them to speak to adults and to each other with respect. They say "yes, ma'am" and "no sir" when answering questions. They greet adults with firm handshakes and eye contact. They say thank you, you're welcome, I'm sorry, and excuse me. They aren't allowed to use bad language or even harsh euphemisms.
Of course, they are far from perfect. After all, they are nine or ten years old when I get them. Sometimes that means I have to undo nine or ten years of bad habits and bad manners in just the nine months I have them. We just get started when I have to send them to summer break and the rest of their lives. I pray that it all sticks.