The Rudeness Of Some People... 2009 Update

Perhaps this has something to do with the heat, but approximately this same time last year I blogged about this same subject. If you'd like to read it for a good laugh, click here.

Since that time, I've collected a few new circumstances & personality types that merit mention as well as their induction into The Rudeness Hall Of Fame, a dubious honor.

1. The Chatty Cathy Friends: The *friend* who spends half their time during lunch or shopping or golfing or whatever, either talking (too loudly) on their cell phone or text messaging. All one can really do is just sit there and pretend to look pleasant and carefree. It's not just rude but it's also disrespectful to whomever you are with. I can't begin to tell you how I long to just stand up and walk out on these jerks. Perhaps someday, when I've finally had enough, I will. That time isn't far off, I assure you. Here's a clue for you if you're this type: You tell the caller, "Excuse me, but I'm with another friend for lunch. Can I call you back later??" Well, that's what I would do if I were so important as to receive constant calls from friends, on my cell phone. Since I can't text message without a magnifying glass, I guess I can't offer much advice there.

2. The Thoughtless Guests: The *friends* who invite friends of theirs to your carefully planned dinner party. After you buy all the food. At this point you are more or less a shrew if you say no, so you bend and say, "Of course!" Then, they arrive an hour late with our friends who invited them. Are these people living in some sort of *netherworld* where there are no such things as manners? What about just being thoughtful or considerate? Is that a freaking impossibility?

3. This next one more or less goes right along with #2. The Big Snubbers: The couple your friends have invited to join in so many of your parties (including birthdays) has never invited you to one of theirs. You hear about how fun the parties are so you know they are having them. They just aren't inviting you. (Excuse me while I sniff my underarms to make sure I don't have offensive body odor.) Yet, every time you have another dinner party, there they are. It must be truly nice to not notice other people or care about how they feel. I wish I could be like that, but it's impossible. No. Can. Do.

4. The Social Butterflies: This couple knows nearly everyone and of course, thinks that you will be as intrigued with their acquaintances as they are. That seldom occurs, trust me. When you go out to dinner with this couple, you'd best be on your toes lest you stub one, literally speaking, of course. After scarfing a quick dinner somewhere, this couple wants to hit the town with you in tow. That's all nice and fine until you find yourself the one person who is too far away to hear what is being said over the roar of the music. Once again, you are expected to smile and pretend that you're having the time of your life. Horse manure. I'm not that great an actress, thanks anyway. Besides, I hate being ignored!!!!! I will sit & listen to the most boring story ever as long as someone is paying attention to me & talking to me. I know. I'm weird.

5. The Slobbering Drunk: I have not been seriously drunk in public since my 20's. Oh sure, I've been tipsy & giggly now and again, but I'm talking slobbering, falling-down drunk. Since when has this ever been fashionable after college? It's really only pathetic when adults exhibit this behavior, and is usually followed with their boisterous laughter and loud belligerence. It always makes me cringe and makes me want to put some distance between myself and the drunk; a lot of distance. Besides, it's really embarrassing when you are accidentally discovered in the company of said drunk. The next cocktail party you attend, there is always someone who says they saw you one night with a loud, obnoxious drunk. Thank gawd they didn't see you the night he and his wifey were both obliterated and tried to kill each other. In public. Enough said.

6. The *It's All About Me* Personality: Rude people lack the covert or overt hostilities of the aggressives and the passive-aggressives but share the same disrespect for certain other people, which may include you. They may, for example, appear to be ignoring you while you are talking (head down, apparently engaged in some other more important task) or they may talk to you in a condescending manner that bespeaks the low esteem in which they hold you. They may cut you off in mid-sentence, not because they want to dominate you, but because they were never really listening to what you were saying in the first place. They are likely to show no regard for your feelings or needs.

If a rude type ignores you while you're talking, you should stop, excuse yourself, and ask when might be a good time to finish your conversation. Don't allow their rudeness to slip by without consequence or exposure.