There are few things in life that get me more annoyed than impoliteness. It's probably because bad manners are so easily avoided and good manners can make such a difference as to how people feel.

Some people are often very quick to criticise public services, often unfairly. They are rude to staff trying to help them and blame the council/police/schools/hospital for anything that goes wrong in life.

In fact, it is often those quickest to criticise who have the greatest room for improvement.

And when it comes to politeness I think some of the private sector could learn a lot from their counterparts in the public sector.

Unfortunately, I have detected a definite decline in manners in recent years and this seems to have culminated with numerous examples in recent weeks.

In a sports shop I took a pair of trainers to the check-out. The incredibly scruffy young lady couldn't work the till so yelled across the shop to a colleague: "How much are these shoes?"

"Thirty quid", came the response.

"Dyerwannemthen?' the shop assistant blurted in my direction.

Local authority staff are often accused of being jobsworths but the inflexibility of some in private enterprise borders on rudeness.

A lot of it is down to poor training but sometimes management are just as culpable.

In Middlesbrough there is concern about traffic congestion that builds up twice a day along Marton Road - one of the main arteries into the town.

The other day I walked the route with the council chief executive and a traffic consultant. It was pouring with rain and freezing cold.

It was 10.55am and the door to the premises of a restaurant chain was open so, bedraggled, we walked in. We were greeted by a woman who - politely to be fair - told us: "We're not open 'til 11."

The manager appeared and I explained their door was open, we were wet, cold and in need of a hot drink, though that was apparent from our appearance. He refused, rules apparently were rules.

Thankfully, there are good examples. I had been dashing through Marks & Spencer and couldn't make up my mind about a shirt.

The following day I decided I wanted it and rang the store. The female assistant, who didn't know who I was, could not have been more helpful. After a search she managed to find the shirt, took my name and put it aside for me to collect later. Such courtesy is not uncommon at this store and it's why I regularly shop there.

Jeremy Paxman has a lot to answer for. He has taken impoliteness to new heights and, unfortunately, some people regard this as admirable. This seems to have fuelled Mr Paxman's ego even further.

When I turn on Newsnight I want to hear the views of those at the centre of issues - instead it has become the Jeremy Paxman show where he tries to dominate every discussion whilst being as rude as possible to guests.

It is the time for New Year resolutions and I have decided that in 2006 I will, politely, point out rudeness and inflexibility whenever I come across it. I will also make a point of commending people who are helpful and well mannered.

If I am ever interviewed by Mr Paxman it should make interesting viewing.

Published: 23/12/2005