Marquitta Fields
When
you first meet people, they don’t need to know your medical history,
why you’re going to break up with your boyfriend, and how much money you
currently have in your bank account.
Bad social habits are not uncommon, and having them doesn’t mean
you’re the worst person in the world. However, it may be a barrier
holding you back from making friends. Bad social habits can easily turn
people off! It’s important to recognize those habits and eliminate them
before you’re labeled as an inappropriate prick. Below are 8 bad social
habits you should definitely break!
1. CROSSING YOUR ARMS
Body language is extremely loud. If you have your arms crossed while
talking to someone, it’s common for that person to feel uncomfortable.
Crossing your arms may only seem like a mild offense, but really, it’s
one of the bad social habits that suggests you’re closed off, and ready
for the conversation to end any minute now.
It may seem pretty obvious that cutting someone off is rude, but
sometimes people forget that, even when the goal is trying to show how
interested you are. Even if you’re eager to show your enthusiasm, people
still get offended when you interrupt. Try nodding and smiling instead.
3.CURSING LIKE A SAILOR
“Dirty mouth? Clean it up!” I love the Orbit gum commercials! Anyhoo,
if every other word you say would be bleeped out on the television,
it’s time to clean up that language. Believe it or not, there are still
some people who aren’t comfortable being in the presence of bad
language. Be respectful and observant. If you see your communication
partner squirm in response to your bad language, try alternative ways to
say what you need to say.
4.OVER-SHARING
When it comes to social interaction, it’s imperative that you read
body language and keep in mind you and your partner’s closeness level.
When you first meet people, they don’t need to know your medical
history, why you’re going to break up with your boyfriend, and how much
money you currently have in your bank account. That’s way too much
information! It’s a sure way to make your communication partners
uncomfortable and likely to avoid you the next time they see you. An
effective way to keep from over-sharing is to check yourself throughout
the conversation, and if you’re talking 95% of the time while the other
person only contributes the occasional “Wow. That sucks,” try prompting
them to tell you about themselves. That’ll keep the conversation
balanced and it’ll keep you from telling your life story to someone who
really doesn’t care.
5. TEXTING WHILE TALKING
When you’re glued to your phone in the middle of a conversation, it
doesn’t say, “I’m an awesome multi-tasker,” it sends the message that
whatever’s on your phone is much more important than what the other
person is saying. Whether you mean to or not, using your phone while
talking to people can make them feel unappreciated and disrespected. If
you absolutely must use your phone during a verbal conversation, say,
“excuse me, I need to take this,” or something to let them know you’re
not just blowing them off.
6.LETTING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS RUN WILD
This is one of my bad social habits that needs to go! I know how hard
it is to keep those facial expressions under control when there’s a
really bad stench, when someone says something you don’t think is very
intelligent, or when you’re bored out of your mind, but it’s not good
manners to wear those emotions on your face. Think about it this way, if
you make a facial expression that you can’t explain aloud without
sounding like a jerk, you should probably keep that emotion off your
face!
7.SPEAKING TOO LOUDLY
If someone has ever said to you, “Stop yelling, I’m right here!” you
should probably bring your voice down a few notches. Talking too loudly
can be embarrassing and annoying. If you’re just a loud person and you
can’t tell when you’re being too loud, use the other people’s evil
glances and death stares as the cues. Loud talking can ruin someone
else’s experience at restaurants, movie theaters, public transportation
rides, and other public places. You don’t have to whisper, but be
courteous and speak at a reasonable level.
8.COMPLAINING
Complaining isn’t just a bad social habit, it’s not good for personal
development either. Negativity can have a repellent effect on friends
and family, and after a while people will see you as the Debbie Downer.
No one wants that person around. Try looking on the bright side of
everything, you’ll learn to appreciate and love life, while others will
love you for it.
Getting rid of bad social habits won’t just make others feel more
comfortable around you, it’ll enhance your character and build you up to
be a courteous, kind, and thoughtful individual. What are some other
common bad social habits? Do you have any ideas on ways to break those
habits? Do tell!
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