Is old-fashioned politeness suddenly out of style?

At the end of a New York Philharmonic concert last weekend, many members of the audience jumped from their seats as the final notes drifted into the rafters. A standing ovation? No, these busy people — important people — were leaving. They wanted to snatch their handbags from the coat check without the perils of a five-minute line, to speed off without the hassles of traffic. The rudeness was contagious. As some left, others decided it was an act blessed by well-groomed society, tossed their programs to the floor and headed for the nearest exit. Meanwhile 170 musicians stood on the stage and watched.

Where did these people learn such manners? Perhaps at Princeton. I continue to marvel at the lack of respect an influential minority of students show for speakers, professors, fellow students and the University. Here are some folks you might have had the misfortune of encountering during the course of life at Princeton. (You might even be one of them):

1. Homo tarditus — the Late-comer. It's one thing to arrive late every once in awhile. But Homines tarditi are never prompt and yet always walk in with a hot cup of coffee — a remarkable feat of 'prioritizing.'

2. Homo somniculosus — the Sleeper. I take a strange enjoyment in watching the heads bob up and down during lectures as students doze off and spurt back to life several times a minute. On the other hand there are those who, in a class devoid of the concealment of a crowd, have no qualms about putting their faces down on the seminar table and dozing off. Please, stay in your room; beds are more comfortable.

3. Homo abiens — the Early-departer. This student is frequently spotted at the lectures of outside speakers. He stays until he, the Almighty Princeton Undergraduate, judges the speaker unworthy of his time. The creaky floors of McCosh 50 and the banging doors of Frist's multipurpose room do not help Homo abiens slip out quietly (does he even try?). Of course, he might have a prior engagement, in which case he should approach the speakers before the presentation begins, thank them, and inform them that he will have to leave early. I wonder if any of the presenters on the Careers in Publishing and Journalism panel will return after twenty students left during this year's event.

4. Homo reprehensor — the Critic. Debate is healthy and productive, yet many students (and faculty) have an inability to criticize ideas and opinions without attacking the person presenting those ideas. Contradicting one person might change one mind, whereas criticizing the opinion itself could influence all those holding the same belief. One would also hope that after four years at an institution of higher learning, students would learn to disagree without thinking that the other was ignorant or evil.

5. Homo simulator — the Pretender. You're walking along and spot someone you took a class with or met at a party. You don't know him that well but plan to give an amicable greeting as your paths cross. But Homo Simulator begins to look around as he approaches until a squirrel catches his attention. In fact, he is so enchanted by the squirrel, he just can't possibly notice you. "Hello," it seems, is a frightening prospect.

In the era of the politically correct 'omnitoleration,' these violators of the norms of civilized society walk free. I have never seen a professor taken aback when a student falls asleep in his face or a speaker reprimand someone for banging out of a presentation. Perhaps we should institute some change. MIT, for instance, has a celebrated extra-curricular course for those lacking in social skills, and Harvard offers Idealism 101. It's time for Princeton to ensure that it is not sending people into the world with the illusion that they sit at its center. Begin by arming all professors with small water guns for shooting dozers and by bolting doors shut during lectures.

Are we asking too much if we demand that people listen when others speak? Maybe I'm old fashioned. Or maybe Dean Hargadon should check more carefully that prospective applicants graduated from kindergarten. Nathan Arrington is an art and archaeology major from Westport, Conn. He can be reached at arington@princeton.edu.