What do you do to combat rude people in public, or do you?

Question

Line cutters, traffic jerks, conversation interupters, unwanted attension, the list goes long.............................................

What do you do?

Or if you don't stand up why?

Answer 1

In public I just give a taken-aback look like "Did you just say that??" They usually look away like they know they said something wrong. One good "bad" look sends a message.

Answer 2

You combat rudeness by being extremely gracious and polite.Etiquette would have it no other way!
To the line cutter: "Excuse me,but these people are in line;the line starts here."

For unwanted attention: The polite freeze-look.Smile vacantly while looking ahead and walk away.Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was famous for doing this.She said that if she stopped and talked to everyone she'd never get away and do all of the things she was supposed to be doing.

For traffic transgressions: Take the license plate number down and call the police to file a complaint.It's best not to confront people like these in these times;unfortunately road-rage incidents have become deadly.

For rude interruptions in conversation: "Excuse me,but I was talking..."

Answer 3

I let them know that they have disrespected me. At the grocery store this one time I went off on two 15 yr olds because they tried to cut a line of people who had been waiting for 15 mins. I made everyone else in line feel comfortable and I even got the lady whose turn it was a machine so she could check out. Hell if I had to wait how come you can't?

Answer 4

it depends on the distance it separes me from them... if its far, like traffic jerks, and I feel protected by the window, I shout like a "truck driver", as we say in Spanish, or like the girl in The Exorcist, you know... All kind of terrible words come out from my mouth :P

If i'm close enough to become a victim of their reaction, a "killing" look or a "I feel shame of you" look, its enough. lol!!

There is Spanish refrain that says: "there is no worst slight than not paying attention". I think it's true. besos!

Answer 5

Try to ignore it! You never know which one of those jerks is a psycho waiting to be pushed over the edge.

Answer 6

I usually ignore it.
But if I do get aroused, I correct it.
This happened.
I am in a dark theater past halfway in a good movie. A person I can't see takes 2 cell calls.
I said "It sure would be a shame if I had to shove a phone up someones a$$!!"
No more calls.

Answer 7

If I correct it I am usually careful not to be rude back, sometimes people don't realize they are being rude and being rude back doesn't benefit anyone.

Answer 8

I rarely do anything ... no point in both being rude jerks.

Answer 9

I confront them. Its a futile execise and usually just makes me more upset.

Answer 10

Give them a taste of their own medicine. They usually shut up and get over themselves.