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.

[DPMD]

Yep nine, and let’s not even get into the thousands of micro aggressions...

[Glad2bnuts]

The one not mentioned that I am guilty of, is talking and turning away, as if I am talking to myself. Too many years talking to myself. My kids tell me I have undiagnosed OCD and Autism. I figure people are either paying attention or not.

Or I was born rude.

[BigFreakinToad]

I didn’t know someone wrote an article about my sister.

[Red Badger]

There’s only 8...............

[HYPOCRACY]

Somebody on the radio pointed out the canard that if restaurants had to pay staff it would be too expensive. Then why aren’t restaurants cheap to eat at?

[Jaysin]

i still remember my grandma yelling at me one time —oh cmon jaysin, if you need to faht, go ahead and faht, but you dont need to lift ya leg like an animal

[Night Hides Not]

Using speakerphone is no longer an issue for me. My new hearing aid is controlled by my iPhone, it’s awesome.

[chuckb87]

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

Amen.I tip when dining out but 20% ontop of overpriced food and the $22/hr people make here in CA. Come on! 10% across the board. No more no less.

[fidelis]

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

It is also deemed considerate to carry a newspaper or magazine to help dispense any lingering toxic vapors.

It makes me wonder if part of the reason ladies started carrying fans in the middle ages was because people smelled so bad then because bathing was considered bad for ones health.

[Nervous Tick]

I thought for sure they’d mention blasting out a raucous stinker in public, but no... so I guess I’m in the clear! 😅

[Glad2bnuts]

Me and the Missus, love to go to a certain diner. Friday prime rib dinner for $31 bucks a plate.. Awesome, because we split the plate and add an iced tea and a side plate. After dinner, being it was my wifes birthday we added a few things, and the bill came to $50 bucks. I rounded it off to $60. But on the way out the door, the waitress gave me the side eye of scorn.

That tip was about 20%, how much do they want?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: The one not mentioned that I am guilty of, is talking and turning away, as if I am talking to myself.

That’s one characteristic trait of someone in the autistic spectrum.

[OKSooner]

Oh yes, I go into public places all the time and just yap away on my cell phone about nothing because I'm so much more important than all those people trying to enjoy their tacos or whatever, and they're more interested in my end of a phone conversation than they are in their own business.

I don't understand how people get all in a snit about this one. I mean, after all, don't they know who I am?

[j.havenfarm]

You seem to have strong feelings on this topic. Or perhaps I’m reading to much into your reply

[larrytown]

Maths is hard.

Eight, repeating one doesn’t make it different.

Texting while walking, and checking phone while driving aren’t rude, they’re potentially dangerous. So that’s maths count is down another two...

Six

Apparently Six = Nine these days.

[pnut22]

Having worked for tips in my youth, I tend to over tip if service is excellent. I’ve recently started using grocery delivery and always request the driver bring the shopping inside. If they are nice about it, I add a few bucks in cash to the already offered electronic tip. Virtually every driver has been very nice. Nowadays with, so many people sucking off the dole, I appreciate those who are willing to work. I really don’t eat out, so no issue there. Charity for me has always been helping someone that I know, or know of, in need. That and St. Jude’s.

[Crusher138]

What do they want?

They WANTED both of you to order the $31 special, plus beverages, plus an appetizer and dessert.

They WANTED you to have a $100 bill, and your 20% tip would have been $20.

People who take up a table and order very little are the bane of waitstaff everywhere.

Waitstaff only make money when they turn tables that have substantial bills. If you want their scorn, order only an appetizer, water to drink, and sit there for two hours.

[pfflier]

People who are unaware of habits like a constant rhythmic throat clearing, coughing or sniffing are on my list.

Ever sit in a movie theater near someone who clears their throat every 30 seconds?

[SuperSonic]

Repeating yourself

You can say that again!

[NautiNurse]

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

And now those tips are destined to be tax free. I would seriously consider reducing tip amount downward if the servers are exempt from income tax, and my income is not.