Smart Ways to Deal with People with Bad Attitudes
You do not live in a perfect society. As much as you want to like all people, it doesn’t work that way. There will always be ill-mannered people that you have to live with. If only there is a way to gather all rude people and let them live on one island together so you do not have to bear with one or more of them.
That is not possible. You have to focus on the things that you can control. You can actually deal with these ill-mannered people the smart way. Here’s how:
- Remember rudeness doesn’t mean they are a bad person. There are bad days and sometimes you cope up by being rude or ill-mannered. That is normal. Even the kindest people have rude moments at some point in their lives but this does not mean that they are a bad person the moment they burst out. The best thing to deal with ill-mannered people is to remember that they are human and that is normal.
- Even if it is personal, do not take it personally. Sometimes it is easy to take the bait when someone is rude or ill-mannered and react especially if it becomes too personal. You can burst out and make a scene but that will reflect poorly on you. If someone is ill-mannered, you have the choice how to react.
- Find the reason why they acted that way. There is always a reason why someone acted that way. You have to find the reason why they acted that way and perhaps they just did not realize their manners. Do not end the day without asking why. Just be calm and you can just say “I think that is rude. Why are you being like this?”
- Don’t let yourself be absorbed by the drama. It is just too easy to join the drama when you see yourself at the center. If you join in the drama, it will only make things worse. Sometimes it is easy to react when you are provoked but make sure that you will not regret it. Just think of your words and actions first before anything else.
- Walk away. Walking away may be the smartest thing that you can do when you face rude people. Ill-manners are painful enough and removing yourself from that situation is the surest way to avoid escalating it. Even if they are still talking, turn your back and walk away. Perhaps they will realize what they have done when you are nowhere in sight.
If the rudeness becomes a habit, it is difficult to shake it off. Whether many Singaporeans are ill-mannered or not, how to respond will definitely be up to you.