Why has society become so irritable and angry?

Have you noticed how much today's society differs from the people who lived during the Soviet era? Perhaps many of you have wondered - why have people become so angry and distrustful?

Everything used to be different. People smiled at strangers on the streets. If you didn't know, for example, how to get somewhere - you only had to ask the first person you met. And you were sure that not only would they give you directions, but they would also walk you to the right house.

Relationships with neighbors were a whole different story. The people living nearby became like family. You could always ask for help and know that they would definitely assist you. In my childhood, neighbors would celebrate many holidays together. No one even locked their doors! When my mom needed to ask something from a neighbor, she would just open her door and shout, "Galya, where are you?"

On the evening of our housewarming, we got acquainted with all the residents of the building. I knew all the children from my and neighboring entrances. On winter evenings, we gathered in the stairwell and played loud children's games right there. And none of the adults scolded us or complained to our parents. Moreover, many would come out to the staircase to treat us to something tasty.

And how warmly people greeted acquaintances back then! I remember how, just before the New Year, my mom and I went shopping - buying groceries for the table. Every passerby would greet my mom and congratulate her on the upcoming holiday. With some, she would exchange a few words, and with others, she would hug and chat for 20 minutes. Our outing took several hours, and during that time, my mom probably talked to about fifty people. I was still amazed at how she didn't get tired of those conversations.

And what a positive attitude there was towards children! I still remember my teachers with great gratitude. Besides school, I also attended clubs at the children's creative center - where some truly incredible teachers worked! You could consult them, share your problems. They were always ready to calm you down, give advice, or resolve your situation.

Moreover, people lived much poorer than today. I remember that well too. But mutual assistance and helping each other were not just words.

Where has all of this gone? Nowadays, we don't even know our neighbors living a floor above us. Our children hardly communicate, except with classmates. For instance, my son is not acquainted with the neighborhood kids – and doesn't even feel like getting to know them.

No one plays in the stairwells. Innocent children's games only provoke general irritation. They think something will get stolen or broken. Some might even call the police - to deal with the parents.

We no longer ask anyone for directions to a certain address. We have phones with internet for that. And if someone approaches us with a question, we look at that person with suspicion. As if we expect a catch.

No one holds their doors open anymore. We are used to living with the feeling that we are surrounded by thieves and fraudsters. And talking about our problems with others is not accepted - after all, they could use it against us.

Why has this happened? I have my own hypothesis about it. I believe the issue lies in the system itself. During socialism, our society lived with the understanding that you could always rely on others. That housing, vacation vouchers, or even bonuses would be helped by the trade union. And that was indeed the case.

The state took care of its citizens and demanded this from all institutions. The laws were designed to help people – not to punish them and take away their last possessions. We felt protected and lived with the understanding that we were building a common future together.

Now everyone is only building their own future, without thinking of others. That's the nature of capitalism, where each person is an individualist. Perhaps this is good for prosperity. But definitely not for relationships within society.