We all like to think we’ve got a decent grip on social norms, and for the most part, that’s true.
Unfortunately, every now and then, someone will do something in public that makes everyone else internally cringe. Whether it’s crossing a line, forgetting basic decency, or acting like they’re the only one who exists, some behaviours just don’t belong in shared spaces. Here are some behaviours that, no matter how normal they may seem to the person doing them, you should probably just avoid when you’re out and about.
1. Playing videos out loud
Public spaces aren’t your personal screening room. Whether it’s a funny TikTok or a podcast, no one else asked to hear it, and most people are just trying to enjoy their moment of peace. Headphones exist for a reason. It might feel harmless in the moment, but it turns a shared space into something centred around one person’s noise. A little volume control goes a long way in keeping things bearable for everyone around you.
2. Arguing loudly on the phone
We’ve all overheard one of those chaotic phone calls where you know way too much about someone’s relationship, finances, or family drama. It’s uncomfortable, not just for you, but for every stranger who can’t help but hear it all. Public meltdowns are human. After all, we all hit our limits sometimes. However, consistently dragging private arguments into shared spaces turns real life into unwanted theatre. Save it for later if you can.
3. Clipping your nails
This one should be obvious, but it still happens more than it should. Nail clipping belongs in bathrooms or at home, not on public transport, in cafés, or at your desk at work. It’s hygiene, not a group activity. Even if you think you’re being discreet, there’s no version of that noise that isn’t instantly recognisable. People notice. And they’re probably judging a little harder than you think.
4. Playing music on speakers outdoors
A park doesn’t automatically become your party just because you brought a Bluetooth speaker. What sounds like a good vibe to you might be a full-on headache to someone else trying to relax or read. It’s great to enjoy music, but not everyone shares your playlist, or your volume preferences. Keep it respectful, especially in public green spaces where people are literally going to escape the noise.
5. Letting your dog run wild
Yes, your dog might be “friendly,” but not everyone wants a surprise encounter with it, especially off-lead in a space where it shouldn’t be. People with allergies, anxiety, or young kids might not feel as relaxed about it as you do. Being a responsible dog owner means reading the room, keeping control, and respecting the rules of the space. Not every park, beach, or trail is a free-for-all zone.
6. Blocking the pavement or doorway
Stopping dead in your tracks to check your phone, reorganise your bag, or chat with a friend is fine, just not in the middle of a busy path or entrance. It creates a human traffic jam that everyone else now has to navigate. A simple step to the side makes a world of difference. It’s one of those small, considerate habits that make public life smoother for everyone.
7. Leaving rubbish behind
Public spaces aren’t self-cleaning, and yet some people treat parks, benches, buses, and beaches like bins. Whether it’s takeaway packaging or a sneaky plastic bottle, leaving it behind is lazy, not harmless. Someone else always ends up dealing with it, either staff, volunteers, or just some fed-up passerby. Taking your rubbish with you is the least you can do. Literally.
8. Having speakerphone conversations
Putting someone on speakerphone in public is bafflingly common, and almost always annoying. It’s not just your voice that’s filling the space now; it’s both sides of a conversation no one else signed up for. If the call’s important, pop in some headphones or wait until you’re somewhere a bit quieter. You wouldn’t shout a private chat into a room full of strangers, so why blast it out on the train?
9. Ignoring your kids’ behaviour entirely
Kids will be kids, and most people are understanding when little ones are loud, curious, or high-energy. However, when a child is running wild or making a scene and the adult in charge is completely checked out, that’s when people start to lose patience. No one’s expecting perfection, just awareness. If your child is throwing food across a café or shouting in someone’s face, a little intervention goes a long way for everyone’s sanity.
10. Filming strangers without consent
Capturing your own life is one thing. But when your phone is clearly aimed at someone else, whether it’s for a joke, a rant, or a “viral moment,” you’re crossing a line. Not everyone wants to be your content. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s respectful. Public space isn’t a free-for-all for filming people who didn’t agree to it, especially when the intent is mockery or judgement.
11. Cutting queues
No one likes waiting, but cutting in line is the fastest way to annoy a group of strangers. Whether it’s at the bus stop, bar, or bathroom, it’s never as sneaky as the person doing it seems to think it is. Even if you’ve “just got a quick question” or “won’t be long,” you’re still skipping people who’ve been patiently waiting. And that doesn’t go unnoticed, even if no one calls you out directly.
12. Leaving mess in a shared bathroom
Public toilets can already be rough, so when someone leaves tissue all over the floor, water everywhere, or a cubicle in chaos, it tips things from grim to disgusting. Clean up after yourself. Please. No one wants to walk into a stall and feel like they’re at the aftermath of a festival. Leave it how you’d hope to find it. Basic hygiene doesn’t stop when you leave home.
13. Smoking in crowded areas
Even in designated outdoor smoking areas, lighting up in the middle of a busy space like a queue or a bus shelter forces everyone else to breathe in your decision. It’s not just a personal choice when everyone else gets dragged into it. A bit of distance makes a big difference. If you smoke, do it somewhere where it’s not drifting into people’s faces, lungs, or food. That’s not asking much.
14. Standing too close to strangers
There’s a difference between a crowded space and someone who just doesn’t get personal space. If there’s room, use it. Being shoulder-to-shoulder at the cash machine isn’t necessary, or welcome. Everyone appreciates a bit of breathing room, especially in queues, lifts, and waiting areas. Close talkers and hoverers make things awkward fast.
15. Taking up multiple seats
Putting your bag on the seat next to you in a crowded train or café sends the message that your belongings matter more than someone else’s comfort. Plus, most people won’t ask—you’ll just silently be seen as inconsiderate. If the place is empty, sure. However, if other people are standing, give up the extra space. It’s basic decency, not a big ask.
16. Speaking aggressively to staff
Bad day or not, taking it out on people in public-facing jobs is never okay. Whether it’s a server, retail worker, or receptionist, they’re not your emotional punching bag. Rudeness to staff is always louder than it seems. Everyone notices. And it says more about the person dishing it out than the one receiving it.
17. PDA overload
Holding hands? Lovely. A quick peck? Fine. Full-on snogging at a bus stop or dry-humping in a public park? Not so much. There’s a time and place, and it’s not always in full view of everyone else. It’s not prudish, but you should be keeping shared spaces comfortable. Passion’s great, just maybe keep it PG until you’re somewhere private.
