Where have the manners gone?

Last night we had the pleasure of attending our son's Father Frost program at his school.  He is an Russian Immersion program and it has been incredible so far.  The program was about the Russian New Year and how children celebrate the event.  Father Frost and the Snow Maiden were in attendance, easily 100 children were there as well and for each of those children were parents too. (Most of them had both parents there.)  As you can see there a lot of people crammed into the small elementary school cafeteria.  The event it self was a little bit unorganized, but I think that they were surprised by the turnout that they received.  Most of the program was in Russian (go figure, it's a Russian Immersion program), which apparently makes about 90% of the parents forget any and all manners that they might have had!  The entire row behind where we were sitting was talking through most of the show.  Parents were getting up and walking around and standing in front of the parents who were still seated. At the end of the event students were invited to form a line and they could receive a gift.  Now keep in mind how many kiddos were there, this was a long line.  As we stood in that line with our son we witnessed one mother have her daughter step out of line and go to the front of the line because "it was time to go".  Really?!  We all wanted to go home, so what makes her more important than the rest of us?  (perhaps there were circumstances that I am unaware of, but really....  she has just taught her daughter that it's ok to step out of line and cut to the front because nobody else matters). I was so frustrated by the parents that were in attendance last night, not to mention embarrassed to know that I am in the same category as they are because we are parents.  I think that over the weekend I am going to sit down and write an email to the Principal (whom I didn't see in attendance) and express to her first how much I enjoyed the program and how much we enjoy the Russian Immersion.  But I plan to also express to her my complete distaste in the behavior of the parents.  I am hoping that she will put it (or at least address it) in the monthly school newsletter.  A large majority of the families are upper middle class.  I guess it just goes to show that the "snootier" you get doesn't mean you necessarily have better manners.  In fact I think it's just the opposite.  Just watching most of the parents' demeanor, they had that "I'm better than you" attitude.  It makes me sad to see that my son will grow up with so many kids being raised in this kind of environment.  In the end I know it will make him a better person because I vow to teach him good manners (at all times) and respect for others.  Perhaps the schools should start having a manners class as part of the curriculum.

So all you parents out there please keep in mind that you truly are leading by example and your children see how you behave and they model after you.  Don't be "one of those parents".