Ever wonder what people are thinking of when they break the norm of social etiquette? I mean what are they really thinking of as it happens? Before I prod along some more, allow me to explain why I am writing this. I have and still do come across too many people who breaks the rules and customs of polite social or professional behavior and feel that it is their God given right to do as they may, without regards to society at large.
Below are the most commonly observed:
1. "WARNING: EXCAVATION IN PROGRESS" - Picking of noses in public, both genders included with majority of male offenders. Firstly, it is unhygienic. Secondly, it is downright disgusting for others to see; is it not possible for them to do the "excavation work" in the privacy of the restroom or at home? To make matters worse, some men keep their pinky fingernail extra long for the excavation purpose!
2. "TOOTH COMBING" - Using of straws to clean food stuck in between teeth. They simply think that the edge of the straw is thin enough to clean the spaces in between their teeth. If available, they will sometimes use toothpicks. Both methods are dangerous as one wrong angle or a nudge in the arm will cause "tooth combers" to hurt their gums. Please use dental floss. Recommended by dentists world over.
3. "GRINDING SESSIONS"- Some people like to talk while eating. Innocent bystanders are forced to see half eaten food as they continue to talk and worse, bits of food fly across to the audience as they continue on with their subject. Finish your chewing, then you may speak.
4. "TURN OFF YOUR SPEAKERS" - This goes in hand with No. 3. Chew your food quietly so that others from across the table will not hear the grating and crushing of food. On a similar issue, there are many around that choose to talk loudly while on their cellphones. People do not want to hear your conversations and your million dollar business deals. If communication is bad, go find another empty spot to continue. Else, use text messaging until you find a signal at a more convenient location.
5. "SILENCE PLEASE" - Accepting phone calls in a movie theater. Why come to the cinema at all if you are expecting phone calls? In cases of emergency when you do pick up, just excuse yourself from the area and step out of the cinema. Others paid for their tickets too and want to enjoy the movie. Bookstores are another common place where people like to chat loudly. It is bad enough that some music is aired in the store, but with added noises from chats turns it into a fish market. Bookstores are associated with libraries, so please respect the silence of the environment.
6. "DRIVE-THRU" - Turn lights are installed in cars for use. Jumping queue and cutting ahead of other drivers is not only dangerous but it can also be fatal if turn signals are not utilized. They simply "drive-thru" ignoring the safety of other drivers on the road. Another type of offenders are drivers talking on cellphones while driving. Concentration is reduced and these are drivers waiting for accidents to occur. Let it stick that driving is a privilege, it is not a right.
7. "EXCUSE YOU!" - Ever come across people who just come in the way of you looking at something? If you haven't, consider yourself lucky. Say you are watching/admiring some performances/displays on shelves; and suddenly someone crosses your path reaching for something or stands in front of you, completely blocking your view and not uttering any apologies.
8. "SHORTYs" - It seems that one of the latest fashion trend is the "short shorts". It is a pair of conventional shorts but designed and cut extra short that the hems rise to your crotch after a short stroll. It doesn't matter if wearer is skinny or on the heavier side, even if it does not rise, these things should be strictly for the home or beach area. Wearing them to the malls, parties and family reunions is just plain rude and insensitive to others.
9. "LOW RIDERS" - Another fashion no-no for bottoms. Yes, we all agree that only the skinny ones can wear them low, but have they thought about the view when they sit or bend over? For some, they try to cover the view with a longer shirt/top but it leads to exposure anyway. No one wants to see butt-cracks at any time of the day. Cover up or skip it altogether.
10. "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN" - I often wonder about men, "Is there always an itch there that you have to grab your crotch in public?". If there is an itch or if it is poorly adjusted, correct it in the restroom. Do not do it in presence of others. It will make people think of you as a pervert, a male who still does not know how to clean his "family jewels" or a flasher on standby.
11. "SPITTING IMAGE" - Want to create a negative image of yourself? Then just spit on the sidewalk. If you chew tobacco, you should already have a spittoon on hand. If you don't, spit into a napkin or somewhere with a water tap.
12. "SENIORS RULE?" - Not always. When it comes to retirees, we listen to what you have to say. After all, you do have more experience in living life. Other times, we just want to be treated equally. Retirees are already guaranteed a discount, so why the preferential treatment when it comes to services? Unless there is a designated sign or area for seniors, then I will just shut my yap.
I am sure there are countless etiquette in our society that we are expected to respect and follow, therefore I am only highlighting the common ones for me and my take on them. Anyone else out there disagree with my list?
Cheers.
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