Perhaps the increased tensions in the air is consistent with changes in society.

I see a lot more displays of entitlement on the part of the PAX. Failing to listen to FA instructions such as having to tell someone three times to turn off the phone the door is closed, getting up while taxing, battles for overhead space, putting small bags overhead even though they will fit nicely underseat with no impact to leg room, carrying-on the kitchen sink complete with a 18 piece setting, battles for armrests, completely ignoring the seatbelt sign even when the pilot has warned us of rough air ahead and there the plane begins to bump around a bit, letting toddlers run amuck in the clubs and in the F cabin and so on.

There just seems to be a mood of "those rules don't apply to me" in the flying public today more then there was just 5 years ago. My "rights" trump your "rights".

You can see these trends throughout society as people expect they can do whatever they want on the internet at work (ie. facebook all day long), talk loudly on their cell phones in fine restaurants, show no courtesy to other drivers, etc...

"Just asked a question" could be anything from "what time is it?" to "who the he** do you think you are? I'll turn off the phone when I am damned good and ready to".

Can't say I blame FA's for stretching their powers in some situations. At the same time FA's are human too and come from the same pool of newly developed entitlement. Some of them will behave as poorly as some PAX do.