Social rules and etiquette exist in every society. These rules govern how people should behave in public settings and social interactions. However, not everyone follows these social norms all the time. Here are some of the most common broken social rules and social norms that people violate.
Using Cell Phones in Restaurants/Theaters/Places of Worship
One of the biggest broken social rules today is people using cell phones in places where they should not. For example, it is considered very rude to talk on your phone in a restaurant. The same goes for texting or checking social media. You are there to enjoy a meal and the company of your dining partners. Yet many people cannot resist checking their phones, sometimes even during the entire meal. This behavior is inconsiderate to the people you are dining with.
Similar rules apply in movie theaters and places of worship. Nothing is more annoying than people talking on their phones or texting during a movie or religious service. These are meant to be immersive experiences where people’s attention is focused. Using a bright phone screen or talking disrupts that experience. But too many people just cannot put their phones away in these settings.
Cutting in Line
Waiting in lines is part of life. We line up at stores, the bank, concerts, theme parks, and many other places. Basic social etiquette says you should wait your turn and not cut in front of others. However, many people seem oblivious to this rule. They will sneak into lines ahead of people who have been patiently waiting or think their time is more valuable than others. Cutting in line is rude and inconsiderate. It essentially signals that your time is more important than everyone else’s. If everyone cut in line, there would be chaos.
Not Holding Doors Open for Others
Holding doors open for other people behind you is a common courtesy. It signals awareness and care for those around you. However, many people do not hold doors open anymore. They let it close right behind them without glancing to see if someone is following them. This can be particularly annoying when the person does not have free hands. Not holding doors can signal indifference toward others. It only takes a moment to hold a door for someone. Doing so makes their day a little bit nicer.
Not Returning Shopping Carts
A classic broken social rule is not returning shopping carts after loading your car. The courteous action is to return the cart to a designated area rather than leaving it in the middle of the parking lot. Abandoned carts clutter parking spaces and can roll into cars, causing damage. Leaving carts also creates more work for retail staff who have to collect them. Despite this, many shoppers do not bother returning their carts. They are only thinking of their own convenience rather than how their behavior affects others.
Loud Cell Phone Conversations in Public
Talking loudly on cell phones in public settings annoys most people. Examples include public transit, waiting rooms, elevators and more. Oftentimes the conversations are personal and private. Nobody wants to be forced to overhear someone else’s phone discussion. It comes off as inconsiderate, like the person wants others to notice them. People are especially irritated when loud phone talkers use offensive language. The solution is simple – talk softly or wait until you are in a private place.
Not Cleaning Up After Your Dog
Dog owners have a responsibility to clean up after their pets when in public spaces. No one wants to step in dog waste. Yet some owners do not bother to pick up and dispose of their dog’s droppings. They show disregard for others who will have to avoid it. Dog waste is also not pleasant for park and trail maintenance workers who have to deal with it. Cleaning up after one’s dog is expected social etiquette.
Disciplining Other People’s Children
In today’s society, it is unacceptable to discipline other people’s children. Times have changed, and many parents do not want strangers interfering with their children. A broken social rule is when someone scolds or physically disciplines another person’s child without the parents’ permission. This can frighten the children and anger the parents. Even if the child is misbehaving, it is best for strangers not to get involved. The exception is if the child is doing something dangerous or cruel. Otherwise, disciplinary actions should be left to the parents.
Barging into Conversations
It is rude to interrupt ongoing conversations between other people. Barging in and taking over a discussion that does not involve you displays a lack of manners. One broken social rule today is people inserting themselves into conversations where they were not invited. They try to dominate the discussion rather than politely waiting for a pause. Interrupting others shows a lack of respect for the people already talking. It is better to allow others to finish their thought before joining a conversation.
Pointing at People
Pointing at people is widely considered rude in many cultures. It can make others feel threatened or uncomfortable. One broken social norm is parents allowing their small children to point at strangers. This teaches the child it is acceptable to point. But this flies in the face of social etiquette. Pointing should be reserved for objects, not people. Maintaining eye contact and using other gestures is a better way to interact.
Oversharing on Social Media
Social media allows people to share personal details about their lives. However, many users go too far and overshare intimate details about themselves or others. Broken social rules related to social media etiquette include sharing without permission, providing graphic details that make others uncomfortable, and airing private disputes publicly. Many users seem to forget that they are not just sharing with friends. Strangers can see that information too. Oversharing often represents a lack of filter and boundary crossing.
Not Respecting Personal Space
Standing or sitting too close to strangers in public is considered a violation of personal space. Examples include crowding others in lines, on public transit, or in waiting rooms. Broken social rules include not allowing proper distance and touching strangers without consent. These days, people are very sensitive about their personal space. Being “touchy” with strangers is inappropriate and makes others cringe or feel violated. Respecting boundaries is important.
Loud Swearing in Public
Swearing has become more commonplace in general. However, people still frown on excessive loud swearing in public settings. Broken social rules include swearing loudly on buses, trains or airplanes, or in restaurants where children are present. Swearing around children is considered especially rude. People should be conscious of young ears and keep offensive language to a minimum in public. Swearing should not be used to threaten or intimidate strangers either.
Not Letting People Exit Elevators/Trains First
A broken social contract is when people try to rush onto elevators or trains before letting exiting passengers off first. Polite elevator and transit etiquette is to allow those disembarking to leave before boarding. Otherwise, congestion occurs. Pushing one’s way onto a train or elevator without waiting shows poor manners. Patience is a virtue when using public transportation or tight spaces.
Talking in Movie Theaters
Talking during movies used to be considered one of the biggest broken social rules. It is extremely disruptive to other patrons trying to watch the movie. But sadly, talking seems to have become more common in movie theaters these days. People discuss the plot, comment on the action, or take calls during films. The proper etiquette is to remain silent while the movie is playing. Do not ruin the experience for others. Save your thoughts for after the credits roll.
Dressing Inappropriately
Each social setting calls for different attire. Dressing inappropriately demonstrates lack of awareness and manners. Examples of broken social rules related to improper dress include wearing revealing clothing to formal occasions, offensive T-shirts in schools, and bathing suits in restaurants. People should be sensitive to dress codes and attire norms. One’s clothing sends a message to others. Dressing inappropriately signals disregard for basic etiquette.
Butting in Lines
Queue jumping or “butting” in lines ahead of waiting customers is inconsiderate. Everyone should wait their turn. Yet impatient people will sneak into lines to get ahead. Examples include butting in checkout lines at stores, sneaking into ticket lines at venues, or cutting in restaurant waiting lists. Line butting sends the message that your time is more valuable than others. It is a major broken social rule and violates fairness.
Littering in Public Places
Littering remains a problem in public areas today. People carelessly toss aside trash on streets, in parks, at beaches, and other public spaces. They do not bother finding a trash can. Littering erodes quality of life and shows disrespect for the environment. It poses risks to wildlife and pets. Examples like throwing cigarette butts on the ground and leaving food wrappers on trains demonstrate lack of civic responsibility. Littering violates unwritten public conduct rules.
Parents Not Controlling Children
Parents have a duty to teach children proper behavior in public. Children running wild, screaming, throwing tantrums, and causing disruptions in public reflects poorly on parents. Broken social rules include parents allowing children to annoy strangers and infringe on others’ space. Failure to intervene when children act inappropriately signals the parent’s apathy. Parents should be attentive and respectful of how their children’s conduct affects those around them.
Using Speaker Phone in Public
When people use speaker phone in public areas, it forces others to hear a one-sided conversation. This is considered rude, since people around you did not consent to eavesdrop. Examples include loud speaker phone calls in stores, on buses or on park benches near others. The person on the other end has no idea their conversation is being publicly broadcast. Speaker phone should be reserved for private settings. This common broken phone etiquette bugs most people.
Reclining Airline Seats Fully
Airline seat reclining continues to cause controversy and conflicts between passengers. Reclining one’s seat the full distance into another’s space goes against emerging social norms. With cramped legroom, it is inconsiderate to recline fully. Broken airplane etiquette today includes passengers reclining seats forcefully, refusing to sit upright during mealtimes, and arguing with those asked to reinstate seats. Compassion for other passengers should supersede personal comfort.
Not Washing Hands After Using Restroom
Proper hygiene requires washing hands after using public restrooms. Yet some people still do not bother, which spreads germs. Broken social rules include not washing hands, wetting hands but not using soap, and neglecting to wash long enough. People should also use paper towels or hand dryer, not just wipe hands on clothes. Hand washing lapses demonstrate lack of care for others’ health. Vigilant hand hygiene has never been more important than post-pandemic.
Nose Picking and Spitting in Public
Basic manners dictate keeping certain behaviors private. Nose-picking and spitting saliva or gum onto streets are broken social rules. These unhygienic behaviors disgust most observers. No one wants to see someone openly pick their nose or hock up saliva. Spitting also spreads germs through droplets. Anything expelled from the mouth or nose should be done discreetly and always followed with handwashing or sanitizer.
Cutting Fingernails in Public Places
Grooming behaviors like nail-clipping do not belong in public settings around others. Dirty toenail clippings flinging through the air spread germs. Other broken social etiquette includes flossing teeth at a public table. Grooming behaviors make others uncomfortable when done openly. They signal a lack of self-awareness. Public grooming imposes on others’ space. Save it for home and do so over a garbage can.
road rage
Road rage has become more common in modern traffic culture. Behaviors like honking, rude gestures, tailgating, blocking vehicles or yelling at other drivers represent broken social rules. These aggressive acts reflect poorly on perpetrators. They can also escalate and turn dangerous. Courteous driving etiquette includes sharing the road patiently, being tolerant of mistakes, and not taking frustrations out on strangers. Drive as you would want others to drive.
Overtaxed Parents
When parents become run down balancing work and childcare, their social filters can slip. Overtaxed parents may allow children to behave disruptively in public or become irritable with strangers. Other lapses include being glued to cell phones instead of minding kids and losing patience in cues. While understandable, letting parental duties slide in public breaks etiquette. Children act out and strangers bear the consequences. Overtaxed parents need reprieve and support.
Checking Other People’s Food/Plate
Personal space extends to one’s plate or food. A broken dining etiquette rule is people reaching to touch, move or inspect others’ food. This intrudes on dining partners’ space in a presumptuous manner. Ask first before moving anything on someone else’s plate. Also do not lean over and blow on or touch someone else’s food. Keep comments on others’ food choice or portions to yourself unless asked. Respect food boundaries.
Poor Restaurant Behavior
Certain behaviors violate etiquette in eating establishments. One broken rule is snapping fingers or clapping hands to summon wait staff. This is patronizing and rude. Yelling or whistling at workers is demeaning. Making unreasonable food substitutions or complaints can cross the line. Poor tipping for adequate service is another breach, as is messing up tables for staff to clean. Rude patrons make restaurant work harder.
Being Rude to Customer Service Workers
Mistreating customer service workers has sadly become more acceptable. Examples include being impatient, condescending, yelling or name calling. Bullying workers over a coupon or store policy shows poor character. Broken social rules also include messing up displayed merchandise “just because” or being petty to retail and food workers. Their job is difficult enough without abuse from customers. Basic manners still apply with service personnel.
Neglecting Thank You Notes
A timeless social courtesy is sending thank you notes to gift givers. Yet many people no longer take time to handwrite thank you notes. Emails feel impersonal. And doing nothing at all conveys thoughtlessness. The broken social rule is not expressing gratitude for gifts like flowers, donations or hospitality. Thank you notes do not need to be long. But a handwritten message shows good manners and appreciation.
Conclusion
Social rules exist to facilitate polite interactions and show consideration for others. But not everyone adheres to basic etiquette anymore. Lapses like cell phone use in quiet settings, cutting in lines, dress code breaches and littering demonstrate a “me first” mentality. Technology has created new broken rules around self-absorbed social media sharing. At the same time, timeless social graces like thank you notes and waiting your turn still apply. Society depends on collective adherence to etiquette standards. More awareness and courteous public conduct could help mend some broken rules.