We’ve all had those moments. You’re trying to eat a meal, catch a train, shop for groceries, or simply get from one place to another when someone nearby makes the whole experience harder than it needs to be.
Maybe they’re playing videos at full volume. Maybe they’ve stopped in the middle of an aisle while everyone else tries to get around them. Or maybe they’re acting like a crowded public space is their personal living room.
Most of these behaviors aren’t major offenses. They’re small things, but they can get under people’s skin when they happen over and over. A little awareness goes a long way, especially in places where everyone has to share the same space.
Nobody is perfectly polite every minute of every day. We all get distracted, have bad days, or forget ourselves. Still, some habits are worth leaving at home. Here are 15 things people around you would probably rather you didn’t do in public.
Talking Loudly on Your Phone
You might be focused on your conversation, but everyone around you can hear it too.
Whether you’re sitting in a café, standing in a checkout line, or riding public transportation, there’s usually no reason to speak at full volume. If the call is long or particularly personal, finding a quieter spot can save everyone nearby from hearing the whole story.
Public spaces come with a little less privacy. Keeping your voice down is an easy way to be considerate.
Related: It’s About Time You Stopped Doing These Things in Public
Littering
This one should be pretty easy: if you brought the wrapper, cup, receipt, or bottle with you, take it to a trash can.
Nobody wants to walk through a park, sidewalk, parking lot, or other shared space covered in someone else’s garbage. If there isn’t a bin nearby, hold onto your trash until you find one.
Related: 10 Things You Should Recycle
Over-the-Top Public Displays of Affection
A hug or quick kiss isn’t going to bother most people. It’s when affection becomes so intimate that everyone nearby feels like they’ve been dragged into a private moment.
You don’t have to avoid showing affection in public. Just be aware of where you are and who is around you. There’s a difference between being affectionate and making an entire restaurant feel like they’re sitting in your living room.
Standing Too Close
Crowded buses, elevators, checkout lines, and concerts don’t leave much room for personal space. Sometimes getting close to someone is unavoidable.
But if there’s plenty of room, there’s no reason to stand directly on top of another person. Giving people a little breathing room can make a big difference, especially for someone who is already uncomfortable in crowded places.
Blocking Walkways
Few things are more annoying than trying to get somewhere while someone has stopped directly in the middle of the path.
This happens in grocery stores, shopping malls, sidewalks, escalators, and store entrances. If you need to check your phone, talk to someone, or figure out where you’re going, move to the side first.
A few seconds of awareness can save everyone behind you from having to squeeze around.
Related: 12 Outdoor Habits That Can Make You the Neighbor Everyone Talks About
Taking Up More Than Your Share of Space
Public transportation makes this one especially obvious.
If you’re sitting on a bench or bus seat, keep your belongings close instead of spreading them across multiple spots. The same goes for airplane seats, waiting areas, and other shared spaces.
One person generally needs one seat. If someone else is looking for somewhere to sit, give them the room.
Gossiping Loudly About People Around You
Talking about someone who isn’t there is one thing. Doing it loudly enough for that person, or everyone nearby, to hear is another.
You never really know who can hear you or how your comments might come across. If the conversation involves someone else’s personal business, lowering your voice is probably a good idea.
There’s also a decent chance the people sitting nearby don’t want to become unwilling participants in the conversation.
Staring
There’s nothing wrong with noticing someone. Staring for an extended period is different.
Being watched can make people feel uncomfortable, especially if they have no idea why they’re being stared at. If you catch yourself looking at someone for more than a quick glance, look away and get back to what you were doing.
Forgetting Basic Manners
“Please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” are small words, but they make everyday interactions much easier.
You don’t need to make a big production out of being polite. Hold the door when appropriate, thank the person helping you, apologize when you bump into someone, and give people a little room to pass.
Basic courtesy costs nothing and can make an ordinary interaction much more pleasant.
Scrolling Your Phone During Conversations
We’ve all checked a notification while talking to someone. The problem is when checking the phone becomes the entire conversation.
If someone is telling you a story while you stare at your screen, they’re going to notice. Put the phone down for a few minutes and give them your attention.
If something genuinely needs your attention, say so. Otherwise, the person sitting across from you probably deserves more attention than whatever is happening on your screen.
Taking Selfies at the Worst Possible Times
There’s nothing wrong with taking a picture of yourself. Timing makes all the difference.
Taking a quick photo at a tourist attraction is one thing. Turning a crowded sidewalk, memorial, ceremony, or serious situation into a full photo session can make everyone around you uncomfortable.
Before pulling out your phone for another photo, take a second to look around. If you’re blocking people or the setting calls for some respect, it may be better to wait.
Related: 8 Dog Behaviors You Should Never Allow in Public (They’ll Get You Dirty Looks)
Losing Your Temper in Public
Bad days happen. So do frustrating situations.
Still, yelling at a cashier, screaming at another driver, or taking your frustration out on a stranger rarely fixes anything. It usually makes the situation more stressful for everyone nearby.
Take a breath, lower your voice, and deal with the problem without turning the entire area into an audience.
Grooming Yourself in Full View of Everyone
There’s a time and place for personal grooming, and a crowded public space usually isn’t it.
Clipping your nails, flossing your teeth, shaving, or doing an entire makeup routine at a restaurant table can make the people around you uncomfortable.
A quick touch-up is one thing. Save the more personal stuff for home or a restroom.
Yelling at Your Kids
Parenting in public can be incredibly stressful. Kids have meltdowns, refuse to cooperate, and sometimes choose the busiest possible moment to test every ounce of your patience.
Still, shouting at them across a store or restaurant usually makes an already difficult situation worse. It can also make your child feel embarrassed while everyone nearby listens.
If you need to deal with a behavior problem, moving somewhere quieter and speaking calmly can give everyone a chance to settle down.
Coughing or Sneezing Without Covering Your Mouth
A cough or sneeze can happen before you have time to think about it. Still, covering your mouth with your elbow or using a tissue is such a small thing that there’s really no reason to skip it.
This matters even more in crowded places where people are sitting or standing close together. Once you make it a habit, it takes almost no effort.
Public spaces work better when everyone remembers that they’re sharing them with other people. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to spend your day worrying about whether you’re annoying someone. Just paying attention to your surroundings and showing basic courtesy can prevent a lot of unnecessary irritation.
