Discourtesy is rudeness or a lack of polite manners. When someone shows discourtesy, they treat others in ways that are inconsiderate or disrespectful. Interrupting someone mid-sentence, ignoring a greeting, or pushing past people without saying “excuse me” are all acts of discourtesy.

Someone might show discourtesy by talking loudly during a movie, cutting in line, or responding to a thoughtful question with an eye roll.

Discourtesy can be intentional, like when someone deliberately snubs another person, but it can also be accidental. Maybe you were so focused on your thoughts that you walked past your neighbor without waving back. That's still discourtesy, even though you didn't mean to be rude.

Notice that discourtesy affects both people involved. The person on the receiving end feels dismissed or disrespected, while the person showing discourtesy damages their own reputation. In classrooms, workplaces, and communities, discourtesy creates friction and makes cooperation harder, while courtesy helps things run more smoothly.