What's the best way to handle rude people?

Question

Do you say something back right away? They usually catch me off guard so I am usually shocked at first, then don't think of what to say back until after they're gone- I hate that!!! How do you handle it???

Thanks everyone- I work w/ people all day and it gets me down when some are rude, will try not to take it personally! Yes! It is friday!!! Lots of hugs!

Answer 1

1) Try and be in the best mood possible. If you are in a good mood, people will be nicer to you. This is in part because you will be affecting their attitude. If you are at all in a bad mood, that also effects their attitude. It sounds kind of weird, but it really is the case in general.

2) Have a thick skin. Refuse to let their bad behavior affect you.

3) Remain calm.

4) Always treat eveyone how you would like to be treated.

5) If they are way out of line document it and file a complaint.

Answer 2

this can be handled SEVERAL different ways. It all depends on the kind of person you are and how you feel comfortable to handle it. I, myself, have a bad attitude so I would most likely be firm and somewhat rude back to them. I don't appreciate being talked to or treated in a manner that is unacceptable when I have done nothing wrong. Rudeness should be addressed, i.e. when you are bumped into and not apologized to or if someone takes a nasty tone with you in line. You can be assertive without being aggressive (though I may chose aggression) politely telling people you don't approve can be just as affective. Either way, you should always tell people when they are or have bothered you. Don't be a doormat!

Answer 3

Number one thing is NOT to take it personally. I work at a Condo Association and all day long i deal with very rude and ignorant people. The best thing to do is try to keep a smile on your face and a good attitude. They will either calm down after seeing that you are not defensive, or they will walk out angry. Either way, they will eventually leave. Just dont take it personally. Everyone has bad days. Its just part of the job.

Hope i helped! Good Luck!

Answer 4

A couple of suggestions that have either worked for me, or have been recommended to me by those who should know:

1) Pray for them...Assume they're having a really bad day, and ask your higher power to help them out of their funk. It's hard to stay mad at someone when you're praying for them.

2) Kill them with kindness. Reply with, "I'm so glad you care enough to mention that!" or "That's so sweet of you to notice!". Most of the time, people can't keep being rude to you if you're being super-nice to them.

3) Simply say, "Wow, that really hurt my feelings..." and then move on with the rest of the conversation. Stating how it makes you feel without dwelling on it will allow the other person to know it's not okay, without being rude back to them, or getting into an argument about it.

Answer 5

Don't worry about getting the quick 'come back". Rude people just want to make you as miserable as they are. Not responding to their rudeness may just well be the most effective way of handling them. If they are just in a bad mood, then they will likely apologize latter. If they are just trying to get your goat, then they lost and they will be even more miserable.

Of course some people just don't know any better. I had a coworker who would ask, 'demand' me to do or get something for her, I always responded by saying "The please was inplied."

Answer 6

I suppose the best way is to ignore them, but I cant!! I work in a shop and some people can be soo rude! I am rude right back though eg. If they dont say please or thank you I dont speak at all I just serve them and take their money. e.g this under age girl asked for cigarettes and I said no sorry - she called me a f**king c*** and the shop was busy, the next time she came in I said - I dont get paid to be spoken in that way and I said I was lucky I was serving her this time and if she spoke to me like that again she was barred!! She apologied!

Answer 7

Oh man, I hate that. After I walk away, I think of what I should have said. That makes me so made sometimes. lol

I guess it's a good thing though or we would end up cussing each other out all the time. Let's look at it in a positive light today. It's FRIDAY!!

Answer 8

I know what you mean. I once had my foot up on a chair and some fat lady walked up and yanked it out from under my foot and sat on it when there were like 8 other chairs right there. Im not usually a wuss type but it was so out of nowhere by the time I was like coming to grips with what this b*tch did it was already like 8 seconds from the event. I think her husband was there. Now I wish Id have said things to her that he would have wanted to attack me. So then I could beat him up in front of her. I always think of smart stuff after the fact though.

Answer 9

I seem to have the same problem you do. I think when you are in a passive state of mind and someone tells you something rude, you just freeze and are usually speechless. I have noticed that when I have been angry and someone is rude or tries to pick a fight with me, all the words just pour out of me naturally. It is soo wierd how our minds work.

Answer 10

I was raised very strickly on things like rideness and being polite and ettitque-my reaction is many times like yours. (My hugest bother is LOUD cussing in public like the words are VERBS to use in everyday language!) Many times I just look at them oddly or with a disapproving look. I have actually said,"Wow! THAT was rude!" and walked away-they obviously aren't worth you being rude back.
For instance, a grown man in Home Depot YELLING across 2 isles-"Dad! Dad! Where are the F*&%%#*ing nail guns! I can't find the F%$@&*ing nail guns! and scratching down the crack of his exposed rear all the while-ugh! While this was happening, a store employee was 5 ft away. I walked over and asked where the nail guns were-walked up to him and said, "excuse me-they are in isle...." he just looked at me and left-what a moron-not worth arguing with! I was just shrinking over seeing him and hearing him-ugh! I work on constructions sites doing murals in model homes and restaurants and don't get that kind of stuff around me-most guys are really considerate with a woman around.