Inspired by the feet on seats-thing in this thread, I thought I would ask what things people find rude and oafish in strangers’ behaviour.
Things that will make me look down on you:
Feet on seats, in a cinema, on a bus, wherever. Shoes are filthy, keep them on the floor. And no, ankles on the seat in front of you with the shoes not touching anything doesn’t give you a pass – I don’t want to have the grotty soles of your shoes at my face height. What’s more, you paid for one seat, you don’t get to grab another with your feet.
Eating on public transport. I don’t want to smell your food, listen to you chomp and slurp, watch you fail to keep your mouth open or toss your McD paperbag on the seat next to you.
Doing your make-up or having wet hair on public transport. You are in public, please try and manage to complete your wake-up routine before you leave the house.
Gentlemen, please keep your legs together when you sit. I realise your balls are achingly huge and struggle to be confined by your trousers, I don’t need to see the physical evidence.
It’s odd how much I dislike feet on seats on public transport. I was sitting behind this tattooed bogan on the ride home, trying to ignore him having his feet up, but he started picking at a scab on his knee and I wised up and moved where I wouldn’t have to look at him.
Parents who allow kids to stand in chairs. I don’t mind curious babies practicing standing, but walking kids whose shoes are just as filthy as any adults. Thanks for ruining my white jeans, khaki skirt, pale blue shorts, etc. If I plan to eat out I have to dress with the expectation that my clean clothes will be ruined by a filthy seat.
Parents who insult kids. If you wouldn’t tell a fellow adult “You’re stupid” “Shut up” “Get out of my way” don’t say it to a kid. Use your manners.
People who talk on cell phones during transactions. Unless it’s an emergency, pay attention to the live action human in front of you and those in line behind you.
Uncovered sneezes and coughs are never, ever, ever acceptable.
Oh, and because my back was broken a few years ago, and it’s hard to get comfortable. Whenever possible I sit in lotus position to ease the strain on my back, so I don’t mind when people (including Balled People) spread out. Never know who may be dealing with pain, so as long as everyone has room, I don’t care if strangers in public work on downward dog in the elevator.
Wet hair? Really? As long as it’s not dripping on you I don’t why it should matter to you, assuming that the owner isn’t whipping out a battery operated curling iron and blow dryer.
I have very long, thick hair. There are times when I must shower and go, and I hate blowdrying my hair. So I towel it, comb the bangs and the ends, and go. Sometimes it’s braided, but it’s wet.
Sorry if you are offended, perhaps you could avert your eyes.
This is part of a larger etiquette failure. The general rule has always been that when there’s a traffic jam at a door, people exiting the confined space should be allowed out before outsiders try to go in. Elevators, buildings, and trains are prime examples of this, and some people seem to be idiots about it: they’ll stare at their feet (or their goddam cell phone :rolleyes:), and then as soon as the door opens they’ll start moving as if to enter, then suddenly act all surprised that you’re actually trying to exit before they come in/on. Some places are better than others; Japan for example seems to be really good about standing aside while the train car empties.
Re: eating on public transport, this depends on the definition of “public transport” and the length of the trip. Airplanes? sorry bro, I will indulge in a snack, possibly a meal. Subway trip uptown? I’ll abstain, especially since in many places it’s illegal.
I grew up this way. Shoes in the house were not a big deal (unless they were wet/dirty). I married a Japanese woman though, so our house is shoe-free except for a designated path between the garage and the basement. This annoys my parents when they come to visit.
Feet on seat, yeah, I’m thinking you’re a little boorish.
Food on transit, I got no problem with at all. Some people work 2 jobs/have hectic days, missed lunch. If it was something I loathed the smell of, I’d just move away, not judge you.
Doing make up, I’ll probably watch, but I don’t find this rude.
Wet hair. How is anyone’s wet hair is an offense to others is baffling. Not everybody likes blow drying their hair. And I’m certainly not getting up an hour early so delicate you won’t be offended.
How men sit? As far as I can tell men generally prefer this wide stance while seated thing, no matter where they are sitting. As long as they aren’t taking up two seats, it ain’t my business.
You do know you could just not look, for most of these, right?
I do get a little judgy however if tell me, “I don’t read.”, for any reason whatsoever. It’s not rude, and I’m certain it’s accurate. But now I think you’re flat out to0 stupid to know that ‘not reading’ isn’t something you should brag about. Really anyone bragging on their obnoxious behaviour to someone else. I don’t care if you’re righteously motivated, or you were wronged, obnoxious is obnoxious to me.
I don’t see why wet hair is a problem, either. How is it bugging you?
When I was trying to rush from school to work on the Metro and had no time to squeeze in a meal, I’d sometimes eat a granola bar or an apple on the way. I don’t see why that’s a big deal either. I wouldn’t bring a big plastic container of spaghetti or anything, but a low-mess handheld food is acceptable on buses in my world.
I find it rude when you’re checking your phone every few minutes when we’re hanging out, unless there’s something going on and you’ve warned me about it, like someone in the hospital you’re waiting to hear about. Otherwise, please put it away.
This will probably make a few people mad at me, but I find gum-chewing offensive. I refer specifically to the smacking, open-mouthed method of showing the world what color gum you’ve chosen to chew.
People crowding the baggage claim. Why do they have to stand right next to the conveyer? Stand back, when you see you bag move forward. To me it is obvious.
People blocking other people from walking so they can stand and look at their cellphones. Take it off to the side, people! You’re not alone in this world!
People who completely block the sidewalk while waiting for their bus. This is a problem in crowded areas like downtown - a whole bunch of people are waiting for a bus at the same place, and they completely block the sidewalk. See, they don’t have to walk any further, so obviously no one else has to.
Not moving to the back of the bus when it’s crowded. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen this - a big clot of people at the front of the bus, and the back half empty (except for people in seats). It would drive me crazy when I had to get on and couldn’t get past the clot, and the bus drivers wouldn’t tell people to move to the back, for fuck’s sake!
I agree with pajamas in public - there are many types of actual pants that are as comfortable as pajamas without actually being pajamas. Pajamas are for bed, not shopping.