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information from behind is simply not right.

4) CELL PHONE SHOUTING

Private telephone conversations are intended for callers and recipients, not those who happen to be within shouting distance. Often, cellular telephone calls pose interruptions to meetings, business transactions, social events and everyday conversations. All too often, folks will answer cell phone calls in quiet places, such as libraries, church services, classrooms and more.

Why should cell phone user inflict their conversations on neighbors?

Perhaps the worst offenders are those who fairly broadcast their comments, as if they actually intend for others to overhear. Do they honestly believe strangers will be impressed by their pontifications?

3) NASAL MINING

Some people are just plain snotty, and they do not care who sees. Such an individual may mine for the mother-lode in his or her sinuses, while in a public place. The most frequent offenders seem to be drivers. Do they really believe tinted windows will obliterate the view?

Not to sound picky, but nose-mining in public is naughty. Can anyone say, "Kleenex"?

2) TYPE-CASTING

Perhaps every conceivable ethnic group has been subject to slurs and off-color jokes. Won't we learn?

Everyone carries certain idiosyncrasies, and all of us come from various backgrounds. Why would we tolerate racial, special needs or other slamming. Do we really believe such things are funny? Do we honestly believe we elevate ourselves by putting others down? When will we realized we actually demean ourselves by belittling others?

1) THE BIRD

"Flipping the bird" is the commonly used euphemism for an offensive and obscene gesture. This gross gesticulation has become all too familiar on highways, in sports arenas and even in social interactions. If folks actually considered what this means, perhaps they would understand the coarseness and discourtesy it represents.

When a total stranger uses this hand signal, it loses lots of its meaning. Instead, it reflects badly on the gesturer, rather than the object of his or her annoyance. In other words, when one flips the bird at another, that person actually points many more fingers inward at himself or herself.

RESPONDING TO RUDENESS

Presented with an episode of public rudeness and annoyance, we are faced with a choice. We may raise our heckles and our voices and strike back, or we may overlook the offense and move along with our own lives. By ignoring bad behavior, as much as possible, we refuse to offer rudeness our attention. Perhaps this will deflate bad behaviors best.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
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