There can be many root causes for rudeness, such as insecurity or fear. People are often rude after being on the receiving end of rudeness. Researchers have found that “just like the common cold, common negative behaviors can spread easily and have significant consequences.” In other words… Rude is contagious!
Rudeness happens when someone behaves in a way that doesn't align with the way someone else might think is appropriate or civil, he says.
While the pandemic may have done its part to exacerbate incivility, Porath said the main drivers of the upward trend in rudeness are stress, negative emotions, isolation, technology and lack of self-awareness. Americans have also pointed to the bad behavior of politicians in fueling the overall decline in kindness.
Folded arms, unresponsive faces, divided attention, absent-mindedness, and a slouched posture are examples of body language that many people consider rude.
So why are so many people – including children – rude? Rudeness is a learned behavior. Infants are born adorable, innocent, and teachable. But as they grow up, some are taught to be rude.
When someone is rude, our brains interpret it as a threat. The result is a sudden increase in irritability, stress, and altered decision-making. Several studies have shown that exposure to people who are rude, or verbally unkind, changes an individual's creativity and hinders their cognitive abilities.
Calmly explain what the problem is and how their behavior is affecting you. Don't be afraid to firmly but politely ask them to explain their behavior. Use I-focused language so that the other person does not feel accused. For example, “I feel very disrespected when you speak to me in that tone of voice.”
By avoiding eye contact, you can subtly show that you don't want to engage with them. If the person is being rude or hostile, either openly or subtly, resist the urge to respond. Think about the task at hand or distract yourself with something else to show that they can't get to you.
Meanness is not a clinical term or a personality disorder in the DSM-5. However, people with certain personality disorders have the tendency to be mean.
The frontal lobes also control our impulses. Someone with frontal lobe deficits may act rudely or insensitively.
Belittling and demeaning comments, insults, backbiting, and other rude behavior can deflate confidence, sink trust, and erode helpfulness — even for those who aren't the target of these behaviors. A recent study documented how incivility diminishes collaboration and performance in medical settings.
When we take things personally, we feel offended and disrespected. Our reaction is either to defend ourself by exerting dominance or submitting passively. Either way we are provoked by someones criticism and view it as literal, personal and serious. We can make something big out of some behavior that is so little.
Yelling is demeaning, hostile, and threatening with the intent of chastising. Yelling is condescending and demeaning, whereas a firm voice can be reassuring, but directive in style. When someone is acting out, try the following forms of verbal and nonverbal communications: PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING.
Forms of rudeness include acting inconsiderate, insensitive, deliberately offensive, impolite, obscenity, profanity and violating taboos such as deviancy. In some cases, an act of rudeness can go so far as to be a crime, for example, the crime of hate speech.
The adverse effects of disrespectful behavior are widespread. On a personal level, disrespectful behavior can jeopardize an individual's psychological safety, emotional health, and overall wellbeing through the involuntary onset of many harmful stress-related diseases.
Rudeness goes hand in hand with being judgemental, and there's no way for someone who's judgemental to not be rude. What is this? See, if they ALWAYS have something bad to say about others—like, say, over their looks, sexuality, work, or the way they talk—then they're rude, plain and simple.
In certain circumstances, it can actually improve and strengthen relationships. In terms of personal and professional development, it can also foster resilience and the capacity to cope confidently with difficult people.