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Manners are not dead, though perhaps they are not always as we would like. I agree with H about the internet (and I'm probably part of the problem there) and I find mobile phone junkies rude (the ones who can't keep up a face to face conversation because they are texting five others at the same time). However in other areas people are pretty good. On campus queues are respected and people give way at doorways etc. When I ride the shuttle bus nearly everyone thanks the driver as they alite and space is made and seats vacated for old, infirm etc as needed. Naturally there is some variation in behaviour and I have to say they the most likely demographic of the rude or ignorant is younger (early teen?) Australians while perhaps the most courteous is a racial group that receive bad press in some quarters.
Lewis, many years ago when I worked in sales the same thing happened to me. So I took down the order then finished by confirming the order and their name and company - of course getting the last bit wrong on occasions because I didn't know every voice. After a few weeks the more astute customers started to specify their name at the start of the conversation.
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