Lisa O
Yelling at your kid, spitting on the sidewalk, munching on a smelly meal on a packed bus, or peeing wherever you feel like—these are just a few things that can seriously annoy or gross out people around you. Avoiding these isn’t just about following strict rules; it’s about being respectful and keeping things cool in public. Here are 20 things you should never do in public places.
Chatting with yourself out loud
When people talk to themselves, they might be working through problems by saying things out loud. This is known as self-explaining. But talking to yourself can sometimes make you look a bit weird and might get you odd looks or make people steer clear of you. According to Verywell Health, if it’s happening a lot or is tied to high anxiety or depression, it could be a sign of a mental health issue.
Chatting loudly on your phone
Smartphones have changed how we communicate, but they’ve also made many of us rude, chatting loudly in public places like buses and restaurants. No matter how funny or interesting you think you are, no one wants to hear your loud chatter, especially on speakerphone. A lot of people believe it’s generally not OK to use your phone in a restaurant, and aren’t cool with using mobiles at family dinners.
Peeing anywhere you want
Some guys deal with a full bladder by shamelessly peeing in public. It’s just plain gross and should be avoided by planning ahead—like using the bathroom at the bar or restaurant before leaving your house. Many thoughtful people suggest that cities should focus on providing more public restrooms instead of punishing public urination.
Chewing with your mouth wide open
Chewing with your mouth open is not something people want to see or hear. The Etiquette Scholar says that people who do this often don’t realize it. Next time you eat, notice if you’re chewing with your mouth open. If you are, please stop. Also, try to eat quietly. For many, the sound of others smacking and crunching their food is very annoying.
Letting out farts
Whether you’re the type who lets out loud farts or sneaks them out quietly, nobody wants to smell it, and farting in public is pretty rude. If you really need to let one go, try to wait until you’re home or find a bathroom or a spot where no one’s around. That said, dealing with gas can be very tough if you have digestive issues like lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, or acid reflux.
Having public fights
Some people have no limits when it comes to airing their personal problems in public. They might start a loud argument with their partner in a quiet restaurant or yell at someone on the phone on a crowded bus. Whether their anger is justified or not, public places aren’t the right spot for it. It’s best to find a private place to work through your issues.
Staring at people
No matter how you mean it or what your face looks like, staring at someone is usually seen as very rude. It can make the person being stared at feel uneasy and self-conscious. We should always aim to make others around us feel comfortable. According to Psychology Today, if someone is staring at us and we feel uncomfortable—we might instinctively feel like we’re of lower status.
Grooming yourself
Cleaning your ears, trimming your nails, and brushing your hair and teeth are important, but don’t do these things in public. You might accidentally flick toenails or hair onto others, and it can make people feel very uncomfortable. It’s better to wait until you’re at home or find a restroom where you can handle these things privately.
Singing loudly without realizing
Dancing or singing like no one’s watching can make you seem like a free spirit. But here’s the catch: people do notice, and it might bug them, especially if you’re belting out tunes with earphones on and don’t realize how loud you are. On the plus side, singing is good for your health—it helps lower stress, improves your lung function, and boosts your immune system.
Making out in public
There’s no doubt that romance is lovely. It’s sweet to see couples holding hands, resting their heads on each other, and sharing little kisses. But when it turns into long, intense kisses, it’s time to move to the bedroom. Public displays of affection can make things super awkward for parents who have to answer their kids’ questions.
Spitting on the sidewalk
Spitting in public isn’t cool in most places and is even illegal in some countries. It used to be more common in Europe, but by the 19th century, people’s attitudes changed. In the 1940s, when tuberculosis (TB) was a big deal, buses had “spitting prohibited” signs everywhere. According to BBC, until 1990, you could get a £5 fine for spitting in the UK. These days, fines for spitting are starting to come back.
Changing your kid’s diaper in public
Traveling with babies can be tricky—feeding and changing diapers is no easy feat. Thankfully, it’s now easier to handle baby care in public, including breastfeeding. But changing diapers in public spots should be avoided if you can. It’s not very clean in restaurants and can be pretty gross for others who don’t want to see a messy diaper change.
Eating a full meal on public transport
Eating a full meal in a cramped spot like a bus or movie theater can be pretty gross for others, especially if the smell fills the space and you’re smacking your lips or munching loudly. It’s fine to eat in a movie theater if they offer food and drinks, but if you do, just make sure to buy their food rather than bring your own.
Picking your nose
Pick your battles wisely, and trust us—picking your nose in public is one you won’t win. Whether your nose is dry, wet, or you’re battling allergies or a sinus infection, just save the nose-picking for when you’re on your own. Dealing with your nasal troubles in private is definitely the way to go.
Picking at your teeth
Walking out of a restaurant while cleaning your teeth with a toothpick or making a noisy show of getting food out of your teeth is a big no-no. Nobody wants to see or hear that. Even if the waiter hands you a toothpick, you might want to skip it. Using it at the table—even if you try to cover your mouth, it can leave bits of food behind.
Yelling at your kids
Kids, especially young ones, can be a real handful. They cry, whine, and often ignore what they’re told. It takes a lot of patience to stay calm and avoid having a meltdown—whether you’re at home or out in public. When you do yell, it can make others super uncomfortable, and they might not know whether to ignore or step in. Studies show that yelling and harsh discipline can be just as harmful as physical punishment.
Adjusting your clothes constantly
Sometimes clothes just don’t cooperate. Underwear can ride up, shirt tails can come untucked, bra straps can dig in, and zippers might stay open—there’s a whole list of wardrobe fails. Now, making small tweaks is fine, and you should fix anything that’s uncomfortable or shows too much. But if you’re constantly fiddling with your underwear to get comfortable, it’s better to do it when you’re alone rather than in front of other people.
Throwing trash on the ground
Throwing cigarettes or trash out of moving cars or tossing wrappers on the street—even when there are trash cans nearby, is just lazy and disrespectful. It might not bother the person doing it, but it makes shared spaces look messy for everyone else. According to an environmental site, littering can be super harmful because the trash can end up in rivers, forests, lakes, and oceans, polluting the water and soil.
Getting drunk and acting out
Having a few drinks with friends or family is totally fine, but if it turns you into someone obnoxious—like loud, aggressive, super emotional, or self-pitying—it’s time to cut back. Nobody wants to be the person everyone avoids at a party. According to the Mayo Clinic, having one or two drinks a day is OK if you keep it under control. But drinking too much can lead to health problems and create big social issues.
Applying makeup in public
Some women like to freshen up their makeup while traveling, but it’s better to save that for home instead of doing it in public. Applying makeup or doing personal grooming in public can make people uncomfortable. Just because you’re sober doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want—wherever you are. So keep it chill and be aware of how your actions might affect those around you.