To say that it’s being hypocritical to say “Please don’t be rude” seems like an attempt to belittle the desire for people not to be rude. We all have our off moments but some people try harder than others not to be rude. Case in point, a former co-worker of mine said to me in all honesty that not answering a greeting was still being polite. If he wanted to be rude he’d say something nasty. I get so tired of people telling me that’s just how things are. Just because things are that way doesn’t mean the behavior isn’t offensive.
“Please don’t be rude” is one of those phrases you can’t say without being a hypocrite.
Thom: Agreed! And I should have added to the post that it’s hard to get dogs *and* people (yours truly included) to heed this advice.
To say that it’s being hypocritical to say “Please don’t be rude” seems like an attempt to belittle the desire for people not to be rude. We all have our off moments but some people try harder than others not to be rude. Case in point, a former co-worker of mine said to me in all honesty that not answering a greeting was still being polite. If he wanted to be rude he’d say something nasty. I get so tired of people telling me that’s just how things are. Just because things are that way doesn’t mean the behavior isn’t offensive.