Keeping One's Word - Out of Style?

Am I the only one to encounter this more commonly in the last few years?

I've had many conversations with people from upper management to software engineers to facilities. I ask for something fairly simple and we negotiate and agree- whether it's to approve a purchase, complete a network diagram or fix a light switch. They enthusastically agree to do what I ask by a specific time. The specified time comes and goes and the task remains undone and I hear nothing from them.

Granted, everyone is busy, but they knew that at the time they agreed to the task. And granted, things come up. But what's wrong with picking up the phone and letting me know that they'll be delayed or some conflict came up?

Weren't these people raised by parents who taught them to keep their word? Doesn't everyone still say that it's best to underpromise and overdeliver? Did I miss a memo?