Rudeness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rudeness is the (apparent) disrespect and failure to behave within the context of a society or a group of people's social laws or etiquette. These laws have already unspokenly been established as the essential boundaries of normally accepted behaviour. To be unable to align one's behaviour with these laws known to the general population of what is socially acceptable would considered rude.
There is a spectrum of the severity of what one would consider rude.
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[edit] Examples of behaviour commonly regarded as rude
A lot of behaviour that many societies would consider rude or a breach of etiquette follows internationally.
- Expelling flatulence in company.
- Spitting or gleeking.
- Sexual intercourse in view of public (also a crime).
- Nose picking, scratching private parts, or cutting finger nails in public.
- Putting feet up or sitting back on a chair to "relax".
- Discussion of a sexual nature or concerning bodily functions, especially using sexual slang.
- Swearing, also see profanity.
- Telling someone they are overweight, older looking, or making other unwelcome comments on appearance (also held as not politically correct)
- Public urination (also a crime).
- Exhibitionism (a crime when in public).
- Wearing hats at the food table.
- Any discussion of controversial subjects, such as politics or religion, depending on circumstance.
- Use of a mobile phone during a gathering or within a theater is considered rude and inconsiderate.
- Elbows on the table.
- Cat Calls.
- Gossip/Rumors.
- Interrupting.
- Eating before everyone is seated or has been served.
[edit] Cultural differences
- In Muslim nations, the society follows the sharia law of the Qur'an. It too has very strict regulations in social interaction. The Muslim society is cautious of verbal and physical contact between males and females who are not related or married. Intentional or unintentional display of a shoe's sole toward another person is considered an insult.[citation needed]
- There is a difference between North American and European countries socially accepted behaviour. The United States was originally founded by religious refugees from Europe, often of a Puritanical bent that strictly limited sexual behaviour. European society has developed separately, and thus developed a different attitude.
- In Mediterranean and Latin American cultures, gesticulation while speaking is accepted or at least widely tolerated. In Northern Europe and North America, this can seem aggressive or inappropriate. Northerners by contrast can seem very reserved and cold to Southern Europeans.
- England and other English-speaking countries like the United States still carry traits of etiquette from the Victorian age of the late 1800's, but etiquette goes through phases of change in the 20th century, generally making it more liberal.
[edit] Breaches of etiquette
Rude behaviour happens and must be made up for in order to compensate for violating etiquette. This is followed by a feeling of regret and expressing one's regret. A person's regret is indicated by:
- "Excuse me"
- "I'm sorry"
- "Forgive me"
- "Pardon me"
- "Beg your pardon"
- "Please accept my apologies"
