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.

[ansel12]

People don’t tip their plumber when he crawls through the mud under their house in the winter at 10pm, or 10am for that matter, but they are afraid not to tip a waitress.

[1Old Pro]

People don’t tip their plumber when he crawls through the mud under their house in the winter at 10pm, or 10am for that matter,

I do. Even for regular work.

[sjmjax]

When and why did 20% become the norm?
10% use to be the norm and 15% for exceptional service.

[Scrambler Bob]

and then you have to give money to every charitable organzation as well
== == ==

because the govt and our taxes are not enough?

[Larry Lucido]

Showing Up Empty Handed

Ring Dings and Pepsi will work fine.

[glorgau]

All nice except the tipping thing.

[FamiliarFace]

Smokers also don’t understand that their clothes retain that odor, or perhaps they do, but don’t give a d@mn.

[Codeflier]

Tipping is so out of hand.

[gundog]

“Hate The Drake!”

[metmom]

Even if you’re not sensitive to fragrances, too much perfume is NOT welcome.

Also, I don’t bring a gift every time I go somewhere. People don’t want more stuff these days. I can’t even garage sale stuff any more and it’s in good condition and not obsolete.

[bankwalker]

RIP IT!!!!

[metmom]

Yup. Tipping is not for takeout.

It’s for good service.

They also forgot not signaling when turning or changing lanes. Simply swerving into someone else’s lane without warning is NOT acceptable.

Same with driving slow in the left hand lane.

[dfwgator]

Every frickin’ airport these days after you go through security you go through the Duty Free section where there’s perfume all over the place, and I start to sneeze like crazy.

[dfwgator]

And then there’s the “one cheek sneak”.

[metmom]

I am sensitive myself, so get your complaint. I agree.

The worst places I’ve found is church, especially if there’s a higher percentage of elderly women parishioners.

[Sacajaweau]

Older women...I was a 45 year old good looking blonde.

My buddy and I were sitting at the bar...The bartender came over..."What can I do for you ma'am?"

I ordered my drink.

My buddy turned to me and said...."Remember when the bartenders used to call you honey?"

I'm 80 now. Endearing...me thinks not.

[flair2000]

Yup. Tipping is not for takeout.

Agree 1000% There are times when I place an order on an app, ring myself up and pay, drive 20 minutes, go inside, pick my order off the counter, and someone there is expecting a tip. And usually the person expecting the tip had absolutely nothing to do with my order!

[econjack]

I agree, but I always leave a tip, but the amount varies widely. Treating me like a 9-year old by telling me to remember that this is the main source of their income is an insult to the reader. As to it being the main source of their income, they knew that when they applied for the job. Therefore, they should see that tipping is a reaction to how well they are doing their job. At one high-end restaurant, the waitress treated us like we were lucky to get her to serve us. She messed up the order, it was cold when it arrived, and one of the steaks was hammered (Medium-rare should not pass for leather) and a rare steak should not be able to walk away after 2 minutes with a vet. Her tip: $0.01. I wanted to make sure she knew I didn’t just forget. If you want a tip, do your job well, which is my expectation with any server. A lousy job just because you completed serving a meal doesn’t automatically mean you get a tip.

[John Milner]

This morning we were at a local business establishment.

We’re about to enter and a woman carrying a few items was inside about 15 feet from the door. We opened the door and stood back allowing her to exit first.

She looked pissed and said nothing. As she passed I said very loudly, “YOU’RE WELCOME!”

How hard is it to say “thanks” when someone helps you?

[fidelis]

LOL. It depends on the bartender, I guess, and your friend's remark didn't help, I'm sure.

I'm a 67 year old man, and younger-than-me waitresses still call me "honey."