Rudeness is behavior that shows a lack of respect or consideration for others. When someone is rude, they act in ways that make others feel ignored, insulted, or unimportant. Interrupting while someone's talking, making mean comments about someone's clothes, or refusing to say “please” and “thank you” are all examples of rudeness.

Rudeness can be obvious, like yelling at a waiter or slamming a door in someone's face. But it can also be subtler: rolling your eyes when a classmate answers a question or pretending not to hear when someone says hello. Some people are rude on purpose to hurt others or make themselves feel powerful. Others are rude without realizing it, perhaps because they're distracted, tired, or never learned better manners.

What makes something rude varies somewhat across cultures and situations. Burping loudly might be rude at an American dinner table but perfectly acceptable in some other countries. Wearing a hat indoors was once considered rude but is now mostly fine. Still, certain behaviors are widely considered rude: insulting people, cutting in line, talking during movies, or ignoring someone who's speaking directly to you.

The opposite of rudeness is courtesy or politeness. People can choose to apologize and do better when they notice rudeness in themselves. When others are rude, it can help to respond with dignity rather than matching their rudeness, which usually just makes things worse.