Rude on the rise

Auntie’s very reason for being has recently been validated—rudeness is not only rampant in the workplace—it’s apparently something you can catch. But fear not, my dears, there is a solution or two or three.  Yes, Auntie has been subjected to rudeness in all sorts of workplaces—from a sloppy, Napoléon- esqe bullying editor at a radio station who nastily critiqued her lipstick choices (“I can’t look at you with that purple on your face.” That purple being Mac Heroine-très chic, but I digress) to a fellow Special Ed teacher who did not understand irony or humor at all. A teacher—without a sense of humor— I feel for her students. Everything, my darlings, is not serious. Auntie pities anyone who slogs through life without a few laughs a day.

So what’s a non-rude person to do? Auntie suggests keeping your sense of humor and never, ever sinking down to the level of the rude, crass, and obnoxious. Sometimes, or  shall we say it’s almost always necessary to push back—because once the rude start ruling your work environment, it is just a matter of time until world-rude domination is complete.  And it’s our job to stop them before things get worse.

The rude are just bullies, and who wants to deal with rude, work-bullies? Well, none of us—in fact, you’d have to be a masochist to like bullies—but not to worry—if  worse comes to worse, use Auntie Jodi’s Helpful Hint #192:

While on your commute to work, should you find yourself weeping uncontrollably, getting lost en route, or plotting the murder of your boss, it may be time to consider a career change. Dramatic exits from a wretched work environment will be a welcome diversion for your soon-to-be ex-colleagues.

Or what about the child who misbehaves in pubic? Is it the child or is it the childish parents who do not parent? Most of us have had enough of the overly-cute, not-so-cute precocious kiddie—there is a simple two-letter word solution to the problem—solve it with Auntie Jodi’s Helpful Hint #93:

Auntie Jodi knows your child is the most adorable creature to have ever been born—but tantrums at restaurants and screaming fits at department stores are, in reality, not so cute. Perhaps Mummy and Papa are the ones who need some home training—saying “No” early on might just prevent spawning yet another generation of the overly and unjustly entitled brat-child-parent cycle.

A very kind and thoughtful acquaintance—let’s call her Denise, asked Auntie, “I have a friend who cannot be around children. When we’re in a restaurant she is constantly complaining and pointing out anything and everything wrong with any kid’s behavior. She picks and picks and picks until I can’t stand being with her. This happens every time we go anywhere. What should I do?”

Dear Denise, If your friend picks, and picks, and picks, why are you friends with her? Pick someone else to call a friend. Chances are if she picks and picks on those children, she probably picks and picks on everything else too.  Give yourself a break—pick yourself up and leave if (when) she acts this way.  It might be difficult, but Auntie is betting that in the long run, you’ll feel much better.

Have a question for Auntie Jodi? Here’s a hint: send her a question on twitter @jodiadler or Instagram @auntiejodishints