Thanks for the Heinlein quote. I was trying to remember it; he also (I think) called manners the lubricant that smooths civilization or something like that. He was quite the wise old curmudgeon.

There is hope; my niece is bringing up her kids with good manners, and I make it a point to complement her and reinforce the kids when I see them. To this day I have trouble calling my doctoral advisor by her given name; I wouldn't do it until she kept teasing me!