Not surprisingly, an Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that 70 percent of those surveyed think people are snippier and more vulgar than they were 30 years ago. For some who regularly encounter some of the boors and dolts among us, they’re amazed the perceived percentage is not a lot higher.

The Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star recently took stock of four particular “species” that are greatly hastening the “demise of civility.” The list:

“1. The chatterbox. Cell phone glued to its ear, this animal broadcasts intimate details to innocent bystanders. Its more vocal cousin, the caterwauler, plays a thumping boom box while heckling passers-by.

“2. The litterbug. This lowly organism pitches everything out of the car window, from cigarette butts to soda bottles. On foot, it doesn’t hesitate to spit gum on the sidewalk.

“3. The brute. This beast lets elevator doors close on elderly folks and cuts in bank lines, always with a blank stare of detachment.

“4. The slacker. This casual creature is recognizable by its trademark attire: pajamas at the grocery, flip-flops at church, ratty jeans at work.”

There are countermeasures, the Journal Star notes:

Restaurants/bars are banning cell phones. Peoria is enforcing litter and noise ordinances. More workplaces are canning casual Friday in favor of suits and ties.

The Journal Star’s kicker: “Someday, a nicer culture may even welcome such measures with two rarely heard words: Thank you.”

But some are wondering if they will live long enough to see this longed-for turnaround. Will things get a lot worse before we see any hint of improvement?

Whatever the outcome, we probably are ruder as a society than we ever have been.