Joe Tyrrell, commercial director, Tyrrell Flooring
WHAT really grinds my gears? It could be slow walkers who dither about and don’t get out of the way, or people who take political information at face value without thinking critically about it. That really winds me up. There’s also a general attitude I see sometimes, people being unnecessarily rude.
Manners are free, yet some people seem to struggle with the simplest things, like being polite or not being unpleasant. Even if you’re irritated or don’t feel like being kind, it doesn’t take much to hold your tongue. Some people just can’t.
In my professional life, this frustration comes up most in high-pressure project situations, when deadlines are tight. Sometimes the main contractor hasn’t been as organised as they should be, and instead of taking a step back and thinking logically, some people react emotionally. There’s finger pointing, rudeness, and blaming others even when we’re all in the same boat.
I’ve even seen it happen when it’s not even directed at me. People need to take a breather and think about what they’re doing and saying. Being horrible for the sake of it doesn’t get results. You’re more likely to achieve something if you approach people respectfully and logically rather than shouting or snapping at them. Those old-school aggressive approaches are long gone, and honestly, they shouldn’t still exist.
Of course, there’s no easy solution because people are people. Everyone is different, and everyone is dealing with their own battles and pressures. Some of that intensity inevitably spills over onto others. That’s tough, but it’s part of life, and you just have to navigate it.
Another frustration comes from people who take political information at face value. They see something in the news or in a broadcast and treat it as fact without considering other perspectives or even doing basic fact-checking. I’ve had conversations where I just think, what on earth are you talking about? Have you not thought about this at all? It baffles me sometimes, the closed-mindedness. People absorb something from the media and assume it’s true without questioning it or looking deeper. That kind of thinking can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it impacts discussions or decisions.
And then there’s just general rudeness. Life is hard enough without people being unpleasant for no reason, whether it’s directed at you personally or just part of their attitude in general. I think people would get much further in life if they were calmer, reflected a bit more, and treated others with basic decency. You don’t have to be aggressive to get results. Simple manners, a bit of patience, and respect go a long way. That’s what really gets to me.
Bad manners: the vital statistics
Politeness and good manners play a crucial role in social interactions, shaping perceptions and fostering respect
- The phrase ‘manners maketh man’ dates back to the 14th century and was used in schools.
- Studies suggest people are more likely to perceive society as ruder today than to years gone by.
- Interrupting others in conversation is one of the most common modern breaches of politeness.
- Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ has measurable social benefits, increasing cooperation and positive responses in workplaces.
- Digital communication has blurred traditional etiquette, making ignored messages or emails seem rude.
- Public etiquette rules have changed over time. For example, hats indoors were once considered extremely rude.
- Queueing politely is often cited as a defining feature of British social etiquette.
- Psychologists link polite behaviour with empathy and emotional intelligence.
