Manners...a thing of the past

Where are people's manners these days? It seems like anything goes. I guess I am not the best one to preach about this particular subject, but a recent experience prompts me to be more aware of my behavior..... So, I am on the phone with this guy at the Select Med Claims Department. I called to ask about a claim that had not been paid and he went into his very complex and somewhat intimidating diatribe about deductibles and codes and stuff that really just goes over my head. Like I care anyway! Just pay the dang claim!!!! Anyway, after about 10 minutes of this one-way conversation, I'm thinking "Wow. Select Med has really got some intelligent and well versed people on staff. This guy really knows what he is doing!" Just then, the guy says "Excuse me, I HAVE GOT TO BURP" and then proceeds to belch, if not directly into the phone, then somewhere in the vicinity. Hey - doesn't this guy realize that THIS CALL IS BEING RECORDED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES!?! Is this what they are training people to do now? This infraction should at least entitle me to having my claim paid post-haste!!! All credibility went out the window. Come on, burping into the phone? Next thing you know, he will be saying something like, "Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth." or maybe "Wow, that was a stinky one." Now, like I said, I am not really one to talk about manners; I know how loud and obnoxious I can be, however, I would never (purposely) belch into someones ear on the phone (unless it was one of my brothers on the receiving end.)! Not to disparage my children at all, but the other thing that bugs me is the public flatulence so often demonstrated in my family. When did it become socially acceptable to fart in front of others? My children are actually quite proud of their accomplishments in the gas-passing arena. My son's favorite saying is "Everyone likes their own brand." Who is his mother? What has society come to? I am seriously disgusted.