Is my sensor out of whack, or are people becoming less civil toward each other? It's irritating enough when you receive the rude treatment as a customer. But when you see the following things happen among your coworkers, friends, and family members, maybe it's time for reflection--and reminders.
- Interrupting a face-to-face conversation to take a phone call without excusing yourself and explaining the urgency
- Keeping a caller waiting on "hold" for an extended period (more than 20 seconds) without explanation and without their permission
- Fidgeting with gadgets while others are talking to you
- Arriving late to meetings and keeping others waiting
- Interrupting people to change the topic or interject your own comment
- Working on other projects during a meeting, causing others to have to repeat things to you
- Refusing to lower a loud volume (music) when others are working nearby
- Talking loudly on a cell phone in public places
- Failing to return a greeting when someone speaks to you
- Borrowing things without asking
- Returning borrowed items in an altered condition after using them (dirty, damaged, empty)--or not returning them at all
- Slamming a door in someone's face--intentionally or in haste
- Speaking to some people but not others as you join a group
- Leaving food and beverages around in common areas
- Failing to use common courtesy words such as "please" and "thank you"
- Failing to remember names after people are introduced to you
What other irritants can you add to the list in the Comments section below?