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Eighty percent of Americans think rudeness is a serious national problem, but 99% of the same people say that they themselves are not rude.
Someone out there isn't being nice! Do you think rudeness is a problem in our country? What are your pet peeves when it comes to bad behavior, and how do your curb your own tendencies to be not so nice?
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Here is my way of looking at it. Rudness is a MAJOR problem in this nation, but let's face it we all have our rude habbits. Whether it is talking with your mouth full, keeping your shoes on in somone's home, or just interupting people, we all have out rude tendeces, and we need to work on them.
Yikes, I hope I'm not! But I know I have been...especially in New York, where rudeness seems to run rampant! It's hard not to want to retaliate in some verbal form when someone is mean, but I try to just breathe and realize that it doesn't matter...that if I reciprocate meanness, the other person has "won" in making me stoop to their level.
Luckily I have a bad memory too, so I tend to forget these instances and go on my merry way! Also, I try to remember that you have no idea what strangers are going through...someone could be rude to you but just come from the doctor's where he/she was handed a diagnosis. Or experienced a death, etc.
I believe through my daily encounters as evidence, that there are a lot of rude people out there. I don't think it is so much intentional, as it is people getting caught up in the daily grind and their personal issues, which results in rudeness. I live in Houston, so traffic here can be a nightmare - and the commute to and from the office provides ample rudeness! I do not take it personally when someone is rude to me, and will not allow my day to be ruined by it. It is much more fun to do your part each day with random acts of kindness and potentially turn someone else's day around. I will pay the toll for someone behind me, or buy someone's meal at a fast food restaurant behind me in the drive through - and, I think I get as much out of that as they do!
"So, yeah, I think I am rude in some regards because I fall victim to the notion that when I'm in a hurry I can dispense with civility."
It truly drives me up the wall when employees of the store I'm shopping at will do this. I remember that they used to go out of their way for customers and now if they are in a hurry they will literally plow you down.
Great question!
I never used to think I was rude until I started working closely with people who staff a call center in Nova Scotia.
Always in a rush, my typical call would be all about me wanting to dive right into the problem at hand. Boy, did I feel rude when I started working with these folks. They would sincerely ask how you were and listen for your answer.
There was something about the time they took to listen and ask questions and stay with you and the problem for as long as was needed that was SO refreshing.
I've experienced this before working with people in Wisconsin. They actually believe in something called customer service.
So, yeah, I think I am rude in some regards because I fall victim to the notion that when I'm in a hurry I can dispense with civility.