We're far into this present decline, lack of communication skills is just one symptom. I like your words here, it's an issue I feel close to home, as i'm awful at having lengthy communication, but I don't do the one word things usually. If is a human doing it, perhaps there's a reserve until they feel at ease with whomever they're "talking" with.

"Do you come here often ?"

Imagination died soon after the invention of the iPhone