Survey: Most yearn to be more stylish, but few put in any effort

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MODESTO, Calif., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Style -- manners, etiquette, grooming, entertaining -- is on the decline in the United States, a survey indicates.

The survey, sponsored by the Italian wine brand Ecco Domani, found 79 percent of U.S. adults said they have seen a decline in manners and etiquette over the past few decades, and 65 percent of respondents agreed generations younger than their own generally have poor manners.

Forty-six percent said their parents' generation put more effort into entertaining guests than they currently do and 50 percent said their parents' generation invested more time in their fashion choices and grooming habits.

Yet, most participants yearned for an improvement in their own or others' manners and etiquette, entertaining practices and personal appearance:

-- 79 percent said they wished better manners were a priority as in previous generations.

-- 62 percent of respondents said they wished they entertained more often.

-- 61 percent of participants said they wished they put more effort into maintaining their personal appearance.

However, most didn't alter their day-to-day behavior to match their desire to be more stylish:

-- 46 percent of men said they never or hardly ever stood up when a lady leaves the table.

-- 48 percent of respondents did not sent a handwritten thank-you note within the past year -- or ever.

-- 57 percent of respondents did not display a decorative centerpiece when entertaining in their homes.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 25-55 who were wine drinkers was conducted last year. No further survey details were disclosed.