I find most people to still be polite, and I, personally, am polite and considerate - probably to a fault. In the last couple of years, I've been shaken down for two bus fares to Atlanta, and a few meals for different people, that I was left feeling like the people didn't really need help - they just wanted someone else to pay.
The one thing I know has changed that I regularly regret is the ability to feel safe in just stopping and helping people. Unfortunately, you never know if someone you don't know who is asking you for help is just trying to shake you down for money or favors they don't actually need (at best) or hoping to get the opportunity to hurt or kill you. I've made it a rule of thumb not to stop to help people who are asking. If you're broke down beside the road and look like you're either just sitting there helpless, or like you're trying to take care of the problem yourself, then I'll stop. But try to flag me down , hold out a thumb, or hold up a sign, and I'll pass you up.
The one thing I know has changed that I regularly regret is the ability to feel safe in just stopping and helping people. Unfortunately, you never know if someone you don't know who is asking you for help is just trying to shake you down for money or favors they don't actually need (at best) or hoping to get the opportunity to hurt or kill you. I've made it a rule of thumb not to stop to help people who are asking. If you're broke down beside the road and look like you're either just sitting there helpless, or like you're trying to take care of the problem yourself, then I'll stop. But try to flag me down , hold out a thumb, or hold up a sign, and I'll pass you up.