9 Rude Habits You Don’t Realize You’re Doing Every Day

Better Report ^ | 01/22/2025 | Rachel Gresh

[SeekAndFind]

Most of us feel we make it through each day as upstanding citizens. Picking up our trash, holding the door, and saying “hello” on the street are markers of a polite person. However, a playback reel could reveal something surprising and, to some, horrifying: We’re all rude! That’s right — we can be impolite sometimes, even when trying our best not to be.

Whether due to excitement, distraction, or frustration, sometimes our best efforts slip and give way to less-than-impressive behavior. Do your good manners go out the window in these daily situations? Etiquette plays a significant role in building and maintaining relationships, so working on self-awareness is worth the effort. Here’s what etiquette experts say about the most common rude habits you don’t realize you’re doing.

Skipping Introductions

If you know that two or more people are meeting each other for the first time, initiate an introduction for them. For example, if you run into an old friend while dining out, introduce them to the rest of your table before continuing your conversation. Your friend will feel more welcome, and it encourages everyone else to participate in your discussion. If you’ve forgotten someone’s name but still need to introduce them, introduce them as “my friend.”

Showing Up Empty Handed

Anytime someone invites you to their home, you should have a gift for the host. It shows appreciation for the cooking, cleaning, decorating, and planning that the host gladly made time for. The gift depends on the occasion, but it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It can be a bouquet, a bottle of wine, or a batch of homemade cookies. Even a personalized “thank you” card goes a long way. However, don’t bring food to be served during the meal unless you’re explicitly asked to.

Using Speakerphone in Public

Just because you’re enthralled in your conversation doesn’t mean the entire room is. Whether in a waiting room, workplace, or home with other family members, keeping your call to yourself is polite. If you simply can’t stand holding the phone to your ear, invest in some headphones.

Texting While Walking

Are you even living in the 21st century if you aren’t guilty of this occasionally? Walking with your head buried in your phone screen is not only rude; it’s dangerous. You could miss cars, bicyclists, strollers, and dogs — all of which must swerve around you to avoid a collision.

Checking Your Phone While Driving

Checking your phone at traffic lights or stop signs while driving is also discourteous. It can hold up traffic behind you and is potentially dangerous. Moreover, using a handheld device while driving is now illegal in some states.

Forgetting “Please” and “Thank You”

“Please” and “thank you” are ingrained in us at a young age, but those seem to go out the window when ordering food. Instead of just asking, “Can I get a number five meal?” or “I’d like the Caesar salad,” add a “please.” After ordering and receiving your meal, remember to thank the waitstaff. You likely didn’t realize you missed these pleasantries, but the service provider on the other end probably noticed.

Forgetting “Please” and “Thank You”

“Please” and “thank you” are ingrained in us at a young age, but those seem to go out the window when ordering food. Instead of just asking, “Can I get a number five meal?” or “I’d like the Caesar salad,” add a “please.” After ordering and receiving your meal, remember to thank the waitstaff. You likely didn’t realize you missed these pleasantries, but the service provider on the other end probably noticed.

Not Tipping Enough

Tipping is undoubtedly confusing. When in doubt, tip at least 20 percent if someone is preparing and serving your meal. For takeout, you might get away with tipping a little less because you aren’t getting dine-in service, but remember, restaurant workers count on these tips for their livelihood. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of tipping rules you didn’t know you were breaking.

Wearing Too Much Perfume

Some individuals are sensitive to certain smells, and sitting next to someone doused in half a bottle of perfume can be downright painful. It can trigger a migraine, itchy eyes, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms. Avoid causing any problems by wearing just a few dabs of a light daytime perfume or cologne and save bolder scents for a night out — you’ll also save money by using less of your fragrance stash.

[vaskypilot]

As someone with sensitive to scents, too much perfume is number one.

[Jeff Chandler]

Only nine?

[Hammerhead]

I am SICK of tipping every person everywhere I go!!!!!!!!!!!!

ENOUGH already!!!!!!

Oh, and then you have to give money to every charitable organzation as well as well as the charity drives at work and church!

MY family comes first. NOT everyone else’s!!!!

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Years ago I was in Berlin at the Hyatt Regency on business. They were having a some cosmetics company convention, and my wife actually rode in the elevator with Andee McDowell.

Long story short, the Lobby was at WMD level with all the ladies wearing perfume.

[ComputerGuy]

Repeating yourself.

[Jaysin]

so lifting my leg in a store to rip out a long bubbly fart is not acceptable?

[GingisK]

Uh huh. We’re old guys.

[rlmorel]

"IT WAS MEEEE!"

[BipolarBob]

I tell my wife my butt is just blowing you a kiss.

[fidelis]

Better to bear the shame than bear the pain, as they say.

[aquila48]

BS about not tipping enough!

What’s rude is them shoving a screen in front of your face for simply ordering and paying for something and “suggested” tips starting at 20% while they’re looking at you!

I’m so sick of it.

[joshua c]

tipping rules?

written by whom?

[fidelis]

I didn’t grow up with the habit but learned it in the military: saying “sir” and “ma’am” when appropriate is also good manners. I’ve also found that older women, especially, find it endearing.

[Fai Mao]

I detest the tipping culture. Restaurants should pay the help more and build the price into the cost

[madrastex]

I love the new NHL goalies spot on tipping. It is VEY tiresome, and in many cases not warranted.

[reed13k]

I always tell the window person in a drive through to have a nice day after getting my order - since I don’t go through those often I don’t get to do it much.

The Tip one I have issues with. I gave a 16-17% tip at a lunch once and had the waitress run me down in the parking lot to tell me it wasn’t enough. Never returned to the place again and it still steams me.

I prefer the custom in Japan - a tip is considered rude because it implies you need the money because you can’t do your job well.

[daler]

“Oh, and then you have to give money to every charitable organzation as well as well as the charity drives at work and church!”

I get where you’re coming from.

My wallet would be a little more wide open to the door knockers and bell ringers if I didn’t have to write a sizable check to the feds/state every April, with the knowledge that much of it is going to diversity programs and the like.

Perhaps with the advent of DOGE, our tax dollars will now be used more responsibly, with more of it going to those in need.

[HYPOCRACY]

Totally acceptable. Lifting your leg or arching your back is enough of a warning to those downwind. They appreciate the good manners.

[dfwgator]

Mr. Pink on tipping (Language)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4sTSIYzDIk