Beating Manners Into Rude People

[roo_ster]

This gal's approach is similar to mine:  Use social pressure and tools to their utmost rather than using gov't power to change boorish behavior.

http://biggovernment.com/ngillespie/2010/03/14/reason-tv-advice-goddess-amy-alkon-on-beating-manners-into-rude-people/

[SteveS]

Good for her.  I wish more people acted like her.  I wish I could say that I do what she does, but sometimes I find it easier to keep quiet.  I am going to have to pick up her book and see what she suggests.

[Declaration Day]

Awesome.  

I'm not nearly as proactive as she is, but I've been known to call people out on rudeness in public.

[Doggy Daddy]

Would the fact that you're carrying have any influence on whether you call someone on their rude behavior?  Suppose the situation escalates.  Personally, I'd have no problem backing off, apologizing, or whatever to avoid pushing things to a violent stage.  But who knows what the other person might do.

When I took my CCW class, the instructor said that it wasn't really a CCW class... it was "wussies 101."  A lot of truth in that.

DD

[Declaration Day]

Would the fact that you're carrying have any influence on whether you call someone on their rude behavior?

No.  I've been doing it since long before I had my CCW.  I don't do it often, though. 

  Suppose the situation escalates.  Personally, I'd have no problem backing off, apologizing, or whatever to avoid pushing things to a violent stage.  But who knows what the other person might do.

When I took my CCW class, the instructor said that it wasn't really a CCW class... it was "wussies 101."  A lot of truth in that.

DD

I agree with this, but you can't walk through life never speaking out against rudeness or idiocy for fear of being killed.  There's a happy medium between letting the world walk all over you, and being paranoid.  That happy medium =  assessing a situation based on your best judgment and life experiences. 

[Monkeyleg]

I've backed off many times. Had a guy get in my face in a parking lot and started calling me all sorts of names because he thought I was driving too slowly when he was behind me. I should have insulted him every which way to Sunday, but I just apologized for my driving. He didn't know what to say.

[Declaration Day]

I've backed off many times. Had a guy get in my face in a parking lot and started calling me all sorts of names because he thought I was driving too slowly when he was behind me. I should have insulted him every which way to Sunday, but I just apologized for my driving. He didn't know what to say.

That's often the best way to back out of a potentially violent situation.  By responding in a way he didn't expect, you threw him off script.  That's an art I've mastered as a business owner.

[French G.]

I'm a lot more hostile when I'm not carrying. Told a person or two how it was over their better than everyone behavior whilst stuck in airport lines over the holidays.

[BMacklem]

Problem I can see with it is with what just happened in the movie theater in california somewhere.
Some guy shushs some lowlife welfare mother yapping on her phone in the middle of the movie, and her thug boyfriend pulls out a meat thermometer and stabs the guy in the neck a couple of times.

That's why I'd avoid even trying to correct rudness, as it's all around, and I think they do it intentionally so they have an "excuse" to turn into an animal, and try to kill you.

[Monkeyleg]

I always carry a meat thermometer with me. 

[Sergeant Bob]

I always carry a meat thermometer with me. 

I used to carry a meat type thermometer with me quite a bit (pulled a reefer) however, I would be more likely to pull out my fishing gaff in such a circumstance.

[S. Williamson]

I often carry a titanium spork.  Not the best for defense, but regarding the aforementioned "putting them off their script," it works wonders.

[Iain]

Seriously considered it tonight. Chav in his loud Corsa just ran right over a zebra crossing I was walking on (my right of way). Because the road loops back around I came up to him as he was waiting at traffic lights. Did consider standing in front of his car while the lights changed, but realised he was with the car in front and there were five of them in that car. 6 on 1 is not odds I fancy.

[darius]

Awesome.  

I'm not nearly as proactive as she is, but I've been known to call people out on rudeness in public.

What is with the coffee shop yackers?  What is that?

[Declaration Day]

What is with the coffee shop yackers?  What is that?

I've noticed it's just as bad in restaurants as coffee shops.  If someone calls me while I am in close quarters with a bunch of strangers, be it at a restaurant or in any sort of line, I either take it outside or call them back after I leave.

The vast majority of instances where I call people out on rudeness is if I hold a door for someone and they don't say "Thank you".  They get a really loud "YOU'RE WELCOME".  Surprisingly, most people do turn around, say thank you, and apologize.

[Jamisjockey]

Would the fact that you're carrying have any influence on whether you call someone on their rude behavior?  Suppose the situation escalates.  Personally, I'd have no problem backing off, apologizing, or whatever to avoid pushing things to a violent stage.  But who knows what the other person might do.

When I took my CCW class, the instructor said that it wasn't really a CCW class... it was "wussies 101."  A lot of truth in that.

DD

I'm very much of the same school of thought. 

[41magsnub]

I'm very much of the same school of thought. 

that's why I didn't take a class, I'm already enough of a wuss!