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.

[ronniesgal]

check the annual income of the big boss of St Judes!!!

[madrastex]

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

[fidelis]

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

Not even "thanks," but at least a polite smile or nod would be nice. Doesn't seem all that hard; it's just bad manners in some people, I guess.

In situations like yours, I don't say anything. I don't do it because I expect thanks, but because I'm a gentleman. That part's up to me. The woman's response tells me whether she is a well-bred lady or not, which is on her.

[Bobalu]

I have been guilty of not bringing a gift to an occasion... it’s mostly that I’m just too lazy to get one...

Of the rest I can’t recall many instances...

[Made In The USA]

Piling on about tipping - 15% was considered a good tip years ago, and I think it still should since it’s based on increased restaurant prices.

Market opportunity for customers sick of this tipping BS: A restaurant that provides great food, great service, and does NOT allow tipping.

[rlmorel]

I grew up in a career military family, and I called my father “Sir” and my mother “Ma’am”.

Same with other adults.

If my father asked me a pointed question such as “Do you understand?” if I said “Yes” he would approach much closer and say in a louder and harder voice “Yes WHAT?” to which I would immediately respond “Yes Sir.” in a respectful tone. I never dared to do it in a disrespectful tone.

My father was not a violent or mean man. But he had a distinct dislike for disrespect and insubordination. He never hit us for that, his tone of voice was more than enough. It was a very deep growl, and very threatening.

My wife (who had no military exposure growing up and is from New England) often hears me address adult women as “Ma’am” and younger women as “Miss”. She says it sounds odd and quaint to her, but...that is how I grew up. Heh, SHE doesn’t like it when someone calls her “Ma’am”, but I made it clear I am not changing!

[AnAmericanMother]

I discovered something nefarious the last time I was at a restaurant that prints "suggested" percentage tips at the bottom of the bill.

Amount looked "off" to me - even though I'm math-impaired. So I calculated it on my phone.

The supposed "18% tip" was actually almost 25%, and the others were similarly off by a substantial amount - upwards.

I'm very disappointed as it's one of my favorite restaurants. Guess I'll speak to the owner.

[1Old Pro]

I was at a restaurant that prints "suggested" percentage tips at the bottom of the bill. Amount looked "off" to me

Did they base it on the bill plus tax?

[Adder]

Its not on the list...

[kiryandil]

“Old Lady Lavender”

[caver]

I will decide how much I tip. There will be no automatic 20%.

[Hammerhead]

Not to mention the freeloaders at every intersedtion wanting their ‘tip’ as well.

ENOUGH!!!!!!!

[Sparticus]

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

I tell my wife that she's rude for not saying, "I love you back"

As for the premise of this article, who gave this busybody the right to tell other people what is and isn't acceptable? Butt out.As Socrates says, “Justice consists in minding your own business and not interfering with other people."

[Sirius Lee]

I always tip generously. It compensates for the certain smells I sometimes share with the patrons. (Hey, a fart sneaks out occasionally. It's nothing personal. Well, it has a personal aromatic signature I guess.).

[Bigg Red]

The tipping requests have gotten really annoying. I encountered one last week that tops all that I have seen so far. I purchased something online from a small company. The item was expensive to begin with, but, at checkout I was asked to tip the “team”! Needless to say, I did not.

[fr_freak]

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.

Was it one of those "automatic 20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more" type places? Because, otherwise, I would have been tempted to use profanity in that situation.

[fr_freak]

My new hearing aid is controlled by my iPhone, it’s awesome.

Sure, except for those ghostly voices constantly saying "buy Apple, buy Apple. BUY APPLE!!!"

[SeekAndFind]

RE: I have been guilty of not bringing a gift to an occasion...

[Biblebelter]

I don’t have a mobile phone with a plan that allows me to talk or text.

I bought a used smart phone simply for the apps which are getting necessary to just navigate devices in my own home.

It has become useful as I use it to listen to podcasts while I’m on my treadmill.

It seems to me three of these rude habits involve mobile phone use.

To me the please and thank you rudeness is also related to mobile phone use.

Mobile phone people are used to expressing civility and incivility with the shorthand text of emojis.

[fr_freak]

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.

That's because the plumber will bill you at something like $60/hr or more, while the waitress makes $3/hr plus tips.