What constitutes as being "rude" in NoVA (Fairfax: preschool, legally)

[akorosdc]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Really? I pointed it out that NoVA drivers were generally speaking VERY skilled. Many were using their turn signals, and even on heinous Route 7 as soon as we flipped on our blinker it wouldn't take someone long to leave a large enough break in traffic for someone to let us merge in (perhaps they were just thinking "Uh oh. Those Pennsylvanians don't know how to drive so I better get out of their way?!") LOL!

You're from Pennsylvania, the drivers there pretty much suck (I'm reminded every time I go visit my parents). In Virginia they're slightly more courteous with the blinker, and it increases as you get further south. Many of the bad drivers I've encountered in the area have out-of-state plates (or they're senators).

[Samara11]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Really? I pointed it out that NoVA drivers were generally speaking VERY skilled. Many were using their turn signals, and even on heinous Route 7 as soon as we flipped on our blinker it wouldn't take someone long to leave a large enough break in traffic for someone to let us merge in (perhaps they were just thinking "Uh oh. Those Pennsylvanians don't know how to drive so I better get out of their way?!") LOL!

Its great that you had a good experience. We usually don't come across such courtesies, especially on the toll road (267) in the morning.... where my husband has to switch from the HOV lane to take the Reston exit.... most people just don't give way despite the blinker and then have the audacity to give us a dirty look while passing by. Are we supposed to fly over them to take the exit or just stay in the right-most lane all the way starting from greenway?

Oh and this morning, my husband spotted a police car when we were on a ramp to get on the greenway and so he slowed down, the lady behind us in a mini-van actually showed him the finger when we finally got onto the greenway .

[normie]

I don't like hearing people on cell phones. Movie theaters, hiking trails, church--these are not good places for chattering loudly on a phone.

Not using a turn signal is rude. And dangerous. Cutting people off in traffic can be very rude, but you get used to it around here, LOL. One good thing I'll say, people don't flip the bird much here. Nor do I see people screaming obscenities as they drive by. So in that way I think driving here is more pleasant than many other cities.

I liked the question about waving. I tend to wave to everyone I see when they pass by, and waving is very common in my neck of the woods. But, I don't think the ones who don't wave are rude, I just figure they have different customs.

The same goes for talking to people while waiting in line. It isn't a matter of being rude or not rude, just people have different ways. I don't tend to talk with people while I'm in line, because I'm often thinking about something. But speaking about lines: cutting in front of people is definitely rude. People who think they have special privileges are rude (most of the time, unless they have a really good excuse).

People who think rules don't apply to them are rude, IMO. For example, smokers who light up in an area posted "non smoking" are rude.

[athousandlogins]

There was one in Barnes & Noble yesterday, Normie - she was clearly having an argument with a customer service rep. about something, and it was very loud. It really set my teeth on edge. Earlier in the week I had to listen to someone else's conversation through my entire lunch. He was a lawyer and it sounded important, but I still didn't want to hear it. This isn't an exclusively NoVA phenomenon, of course, but I think...the big careers people have around here sometimes invite cell phone abuse.

People talk to me a lot in lines lately, because I'm pregnant and that tends to spark conversation. I don't mind and I'm always friendly back, but like Normie I've usually got something on my mind and almost never initiate the discussion.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by athousandlogins

People talk to me a lot in lines lately, because I'm pregnant and that tends to spark conversation. I don't mind and I'm always friendly back, but like Normie I've usually got something on my mind and almost never initiate the discussion.

You mean total strangers are forward enough to ask about your due date, ask to feel your tummy, etc.? How do they know you're not just....ummm..."fluffy?"

[Flamingo13]

I have experienced some rude behavior: I hold the door open for someone, get no thanks or acknowledgment whatsoever (as if it was Owed them), someone (usually another culture), decides that they can step in front of me in line

I still wouldn't say this area is "rude" as I've stated to many others - such things would and probably do happen everywhere across the U.S.

I agree about the cellphone users though - 99.9% of them can't drive well w/one hand and phone up to an ear, shouldn't walk through stores while shopping and chatting - let alone go through check-out and never acknowledge the person who is HELPING you.

[themommy]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

You mean total strangers are forward enough to ask about your due date, ask to feel your tummy, etc.? How do they know you're not just....ummm..."fluffy?"

Total strangers are indeed that forward and then some. Last time I was pregnant, someone asked me if the baby was planned! Um, yes, but that's none of your business. I also had people ask my due date, then make kinda horrified faces when I told them I had a couple more months to go (and I wasn't that big!); ask the gender, then tell me I was crazy for not finding out prior to the birth; and yes, total strangers sometimes felt my tummy. They did not always ask first. Weird, weird stuff.

This isn't unique to the DC area, though. It's just unique to being pregnant. It's like once you're expecting, some people think you're a sideshow attraction or something.

[The Dissenter]

- Cutting people off. (Got cut off last night at the Springfield mixing bowl by an idiot MD driver.)
- Suddenly speaking another language when someone approaches.
- NOT using turn signals (and illegal to boot.)
- Talking on a phone while getting customer service.
- Keeping your phone on ring while in church.
- Coming to a counter asking if someone speaks spanish.
- Using an elevator to go two floors.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Samara - nothing you described is rude.

Rude is when a little 5 yr. old says Hi! and you just ignore him.
Rude is when someone holds the door open for you and you pass through without a word.
Rude is when your child has given a gift at a party and no Thank You note is mailed.
Rude is when the check out person does not thank you for your business.
Rude is when the salesperson keeps talking to their friend as you stand there waiting for help.

[horseplayer]

changing your toddler's clothes at the poolside, even though restroom is 20 feet away.

checkers engaging in a conversation with someone else.