PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people, "With the world as it is today, do you feel that Americans take life more seriously or less so than they used to?"

Charles Pecaut: "I think it is taken more seriously, because the world is going at a faster pace. It's more competitive now, and you're in the fast lane. It used to be that you had more leisure time with your family than you do now. It takes more today just to keep up."

Mary Jo Shelton: "Up until the Persian Gulf crisis, I feel that people took things very lightly. Now I feel we will take life more seriously and be more conscious of the family ties. The war experience will bring everyone closer together as a United States."

Les McAlister: "I think people take life less seriously. They tend to want more and to give less than they ever have before. People are more individualistic today. You see people just wanting to do for themselves instead of for the greater good."

Laurie Runnels: "I feel that people take their health more seriously now with our country being more health conscious. People are getting more physically active. We have more information now about health problems and medicines and medical procedures."

Mitch Mayberry: "I would say people take it more seriously. Things are not as care free as they used to be. From family life to business, there are more serious ramifications if you get in trouble. It's harder to stay on top, and it's easier to get in trouble financially."

Ivis Kinder: "I think less seriously. The younger generation has had things given to them, and they don't appreciate the good things they have. In my father's time, things were tough. They really worked for what they had, and they appreciated the value of it."