Rude… An interesting word with many different meanings. When I hear it, I think of only one thing: the death of any favorable opinions I have on anyone or anything.

To me, rudeness if the epitome of social suicide. And worse, it’s best way to instantly and succinctly tank your career. I have seen it happen so many times and am currently watching someone’s complete pomposity being turned around on them, the community getting completely fed-up with their outrageously snide tendencies.

As a part of the writing and filmmaking community, I am a part of two very tight knit families. And as anyone knows about being a part of a community, word gets around pretty quickly about who to befriend and who to avoid at all costs.

For example, when an ‘author’ invites new members to join in their ‘blog’ and then within two days manages to alienate the new members completely, word will get around to other authors in the community. Being hostile towards religious groups and also towards members who took a sick day because of their health also doesn’t translate well into keeping good relations with your readers, now does it? Someone should really understand that being a considerate person does not rob of you of the spotlight you are trying so desperately hard to achieve.

It is an odd thing, being rude. Being mannerly, kind, and helpful seems to be a good solid rule for business and society in general, but so few people actually seem to grasp the simplicity of the concept these days. For mannerly people, just general consideration towards one another is enough to suffice as a reason for being pleasant.

‘Give a little, get a little’ is what selfish people should take it as.

Either way, the message needs to be screamed from the rooftops to those who still engage in such appalling behavior: the world does not revolve around you. Be kind, be mannerly, and if for no other reason, avoid being rude because you never know who you have just scorned. That person may know people in high places…