Is flakiness becoming more common?

Is it becoming more socially acceptable to cancel plans at the last minute or is it just my friends? I’ve also heard people explain that this is a west coast/California/San Francisco thing. What do you think?

Today, one of my friends scheduled lunch for about seven of us and two hours before, someone cancelled and then two others followed – only one even bothered to apologize. The excuses were on the thin side and I was surprised that everyone was so casual about cancelling at the last minute, especially when one of the flakers was the one who suggested the lunch in the first place. In the end, everyone bailed except two people.

I go out of my way to meet my commitments even when it’s not convenient for me. Should I lower my expectations or have I just been having a run of bad luck (three last minute cancels in 5 days!)?