For the most part, we’ve evolved as a society; however, there seem to be a few bad habits that we are holding on to. It feels like the only way we can stop people from doing these things is by straight-up saying that we don’t put up with them anymore. This list looks at 19 of those behaviors that we shouldn’t tolerate.
Ignoring Personal Boundaries
Some people don’t seem to understand that “no” is a full sentence; they keep pushing even after you tell them that their behavior is unacceptable. We should all learn that you need to ask for consent before engaging with someone in certain ways.
Interrupting Others
Everyone deserves to be heard without being constantly interrupted. We need to make it a habit to tell off people who don’t give room for others to express themselves. This is how we all learn what’s on everyone’s mind and if something isn’t going as well as we expected.
Phone Usage During Conversations
According to The Independent, the average adult spends over six hours on their phone, but even when they’re talking to others, they seem not to be able to put them away. It’s extremely unhealthy, not to mention very rude, when someone can’t live without their phone for just a couple of minutes.
Oversharing on Social Media
Social media has been around long enough for most adults to know how to behave on it. However, people still post things about themselves and sometimes even others without seeking their permission. Get Safe Online reports that there has been an increase in crime committed because of social media, so we should all do our due diligence to keep ourselves and loved ones safe.
Littering
There are bins on every corner, but it seems like it’s too much work for some people to reach them. Littering is not only a hazard to the environment but also makes our cities extremely unappealing to look at and, more importantly, to live in. Having trash everywhere also increases the risk of disease, especially in children with weak immune systems.
Not Listening
We could all do more to become better listeners. This will help improve conversations, not just with the people we know but in general as well. A good listener engages with what the speaker is saying and only responds when it’s appropriate and necessary. PsychCentral has many helpful tips, including asking open-ended questions to encourage the other person to speak more.
Being Chronically Late
Being punctual seems like something that shouldn’t be taken so seriously, but this is very far from the truth. When people wait for you, you’re wasting their precious time and showing them that you don’t respect them. It should be instilled in everyone to plan ahead and always be on time.
Invading Personal Space
Wherever you go, be mindful of how much space you allow between you and the next person. Even though it’s okay where you come from to engage with people in a certain way, it might not be alright or even allowed in other communities. If it’s too embarrassing to ask, observe other people’s behavior.
Gossiping
Yes, light gossip can be fun, but it isn’t fun enough to justify destroying relationships. Whenever possible, avoid gossip at all costs, as it only leads to trouble. If you have an issue with someone, speak up formally and let them know how they could change instead of talking behind their back.
Neglecting ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’
Please and thank you are simple words, but they make a huge difference in our daily interactions. This is especially important when dealing with service workers who have some of the hardest jobs. They show that you appreciate someone’s effort and don’t take it for granted.
Misusing Technology in Public
While the advent of technology has helped us in so many ways, it has also come with its own burdens. Many people don’t understand that they can enjoy their gadgets without inconveniencing others. Things like loud calls, playing music on speakers, or even just using the gadget at inappropriate times are still happening every day.
Ignoring RSVP Requests
Events take a lot of time and money to plan. For every person who doesn’t attend, money and space are wasted. It’s even worse when the space could have gone to someone else who was interested in coming to the event. If you’re unable to keep your promise to be somewhere, kindly communicate in time so your host can adjust accordingly.
Not Offering Help to Those in Need
We’re all very busy people, but we can all afford to spare a few seconds, minutes, or sometimes even hours to help those in need. If you find an older lady crossing the street, it only takes two minutes to help her get over safely, or if you see a child struggling with a bag, helping them will only take a few moments of your day.
Failing to Queue Respectfully
At some point in time, many people decided that queuing was a waste of time, opting for pushes instead. There’s a reason why queues have been used for hundreds of years; they make sure everyone gets their turn on time, and, more importantly, they encourage safety and manners during the wait.
Taking Credit for Others’ Work
We shouldn’t do work just for the credit that comes with it. However, when someone completes a project, they should be rightfully applauded for their outstanding efforts. We shouldn’t allow others to take credit for someone’s work, and where applicable, we should report such behavior.
Judging Based on Appearances
The old saying says not to judge a book by its cover, but most people continue to do so. Appearances can be heavily deceiving, especially in today’s world with social media. Take your time to get to know the people you meet instead of judging them by what they look like.
Not Respecting Elders
If you think about it, you’re probably much wiser than you were 10 years ago. If you apply this logic to most people, it means that older people tend to be smarter and more experienced than younger people. It should, therefore, be self-explanatory why they deserve a bit of respect just for the simple fact that they’ve existed longer.
Wasting Food
According to Action Against Hunger, one in ten people goes to bed without dinner every day. Even though these people aren’t close to you, they should always be on your mind when you waste food. It is a very simple thing to do: all you have to do is serve only what you can finish to avoid throwing out the rest.
Not Cleaning Up After Pets
We all love our pets, but they shouldn’t be an excuse to dirty our environment. Start by making sure your pet is clean and disinfected before taking them out in public. If your dog poops in the park, have a dog poop disposable bag ready to collect it and dispose of it correctly. These habits will help keep the environment clean and free the people who use it from diseases.
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