A general description of disrespectful behavior would be someone else insisting that you do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable by invading your space or demanding that you do something that is not acceptable. This could include intimidation by someone in a position of authority or criticism or foul language from a friend.
The following list can categorize disrespectful behavior generally considered unacceptable in society.
- Disruptive behavior
- Intimidating behavior
- Demeaning behavior
- Passive-aggressive behavior
- Non-verbal insidious behavior
- Passive disrespect
- Systemic disrespect
- Dismissive treatment
Some forms of disrespectful behavior are direct, deliberate, and in full view of everyone, while other forms of disrespect can be more subtle and operate behind the scenes. All forms of disrespect are meant to hurt and demean the other person by exerting authority over them. What are disrespectful habits, and should we allow others to disrespect us?
What Are Some Signs Of Disrespect?
Some of the most significant signs of disrespect are bullying, criticism, and even teasing. All of these are designed to belittle you by someone who thinks that he has the power over you to treat you as he sees fit.
While he thinks that he is a great man, picking on and even crushing those weaker than him, the person on the receiving end does feel intimidated and often feels helpless and even scared.
Occasionally it is hard to decide if the disrespect was intentional or not, leaving you feeling angry, confused, and second-guessing yourself after the fact.
Being disrespectful to someone else means that you think you are better than them, and your needs and opinions are better than theirs and count more than theirs. Rude behavior is often accepted in our society, but there are specific rules that should be followed.
A List Of 8 Disrespectful Behaviors That Is Not Allowed In Society
In today’s society, we have specific rules in place to keep law and order. Included in the unwritten rule books are acceptable manners on how we should treat each other in a civilized society.
Whether you are in the workplace, at home, or during a social event, there are proper and correct ways of interacting with others.
Here are examples of disrespectful behavior that should be addressed in modern society.
1. Disruptive Behavior
This behavior is aimed at threatening or bullying someone else with the object of asserting dominance or trying to make the person submit to your will. This kind of behavior is often performed in front of others to make the bully feel good:
- Swearing, verbal threats, and angry outbursts
- Throwing objects either directly at the victim or a wall
- Punching or tripping the victim
- The threat of or infliction of physical force against the victim
2. Intimidating Behavior
When one person uses threats and intimidation to control another through the force of personality or abuse of power, often they attack verbally or physically behind closed doors, making it almost impossible for the victim to ask anyone for help:
- Arrogant, overbearing, or patronizing
- Using sarcasm and taunting language, especially in e-mails and notes
- Accusing the victim unjustly
- Invading the victim’s space and treating it like his own
3. Demeaning Behavior
The act of exploiting the weaknesses of the other person and humiliating them in front of others is a disturbing behavioral trait and could be an indication of mental issues:
- Sexual harassment to blackmail the victim
- Insensitive jokes and remarks and demeaning comments
- Constant faultfinding, humiliation, and shaming
- Spiteful behavior and gossip
4. Passive-Aggressive Behavior
This is a behavior often found in the workplace with people who do not like authority and find it challenging to work as a team member. Traits they display which are disrespectful to their management team are:
- Deliberately doing tasks their way and not as prescribed, leading to delays and extra costs to the company by missing deadlines
- Being overly critical of and undermining authority to their co-workers
- Spreading untrue, negative stories about colleagues
- Undermining co-workers to make himself look good
5. Nonverbal Insidious Behavior
This is an interesting behavior trait as it has become acceptable in society even though it is considered disrespectful. We are all aware of these traits and have learned to live with them:
- Sighing, rolling eyes, and making faces
- Glaring and staring
- Gesturing, pointing, and maneuvering the body away from others
6. Passive Disrespect
Although these behaviors will not harm anyone, they show disrespect for others and could negatively impact someone else’s day. Procrastination could lead to the loss of friendships as people feel that they are not important to you and stop including you in their plans.
- Always being late for any appointment meaning people have to wait for you. This applies to the office, team sports, or coffee with a friend.
- Not responding to requests for appointments until the last moment, often causing others to re-arrange their schedules
- They are not prepared for the appointment and fail to interact during the meeting
- Interacting on social media while in a face-to-face meeting or socializing with friends
7. Systemic Disrespect
Some disrespectful behaviors have become the norm and are now entrenched in our society. Even though these should not be happening, we continue to treat them as usual behavior and often accept them as normal:
- Excessive workloads and long working hours with expected overtime
- Making customers and staff wait for services due to them
- Placing the needs of the company before those of the family
8. Dismissive Treatment
While you are interacting with others, how do you treat them? People often need and deserve your undivided attention as they need to keep you informed of a problem or simply chat during a social event. Can you relate to any of these?
- Gossip, patronizing, and condescending comments
- Being impatient, aloof, or disinterested during the meeting
- Refusal to acknowledge, recognize, or value others
- Over-ruling behavior, dismissing ideas from others
Examples Of Disrespectful Behavior In The Workplace
Disrespectful behavior In the workplace can be costly to both the employer and the employees.
These signs of disrespect are the most common when practiced in the workplace and foster an “I win, and you lose” attitude:
- Discounting
- Dismissing
- Demeaning
Disrespect by employees is considered to be any behavior by the employee which is unethical and inappropriate in the workplace, causing stress to other employees. This employee can be very outspoken over any issue and can become abusive to other employees, and is often belittling.
Disrespect by the employer is anyone in authority at your workplace, whether your direct manager or the CEO. The same rules apply, and all employees are entitled to respect from management. The workload assigned to you should not be too much, and you should be valued for a job well done.
Should the employee not follow the employer’s rules and regulations, they can start labor proceedings against him, which could lead to dismissal, even for a case of disrespectful behavior in the workplace.
The same procedures are in place for the employee, and they are entitled to seek compensation from the employer if they can prove any case of harassment or unfair dismissal.
What Is Considered Rude Behavior?
Rudeness is a display of disrespect, a breach of etiquette, breaking social norms, or blatantly ignoring accepted social norms and standards.
Rude behavior can also be a way of displaying power over others to provoke a reaction. It can also be a reaction to pressure, friction, and stress.
The best and most effective way to deal with rudeness is:
- Deal with the incident as it happens, and don’t ignore it.
- Speak directly to the person involved and don’t go to a third party yet.
- Listen to the reason behind the incident and try to resolve the main issues.
- Respond positively and be a good role model.
- Keep in touch with the person concerned and follow up regularly.
Conclusion
Acceptable behavior has changed so much that it is becoming increasingly challenging to know what is acceptable and what isn’t.
How we relate and react to each other as human beings should not be allowed to change. We should all uphold the manners that our elders taught us, the basics of respect and good manners. Disrespectful behavior is undoubtedly a learned habit, so by teaching our children respect for others, we should hopefully evolve as a society and stomp out rude and disrespectful behavior.
