We all know someone like this. They do odd things, then dress it up as personality. Sometimes, it’s just bad manners with a fancy label. They can be annoying, inconsiderate or even rude.
To see what others think about this, I asked a group of people online, and the replies came pouring in like a thread of small confessions. Here are 10 quirky behaviors that, if we’re honest, are really just plain bad manners.
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Talking over everyone as a “passion for conversation”
Some people claim to be “excited” when they constantly interrupt. They may call it “passion”. For the person being interrupted, it is rude. Nobody likes to be talked over every time they speak. It’s not ok to steamroll others just because you are excited.
Using speakerphone in public
Think of sitting in a café, only to hear every detail of a stranger’s meeting through their speakerphone. They might think it’s efficient as they multitask, but everyone else is losing quiet time.
Leaving crumbs, wrappers, or mess behind as “creative chaos”
Messiness and creativity are not the same. Sure, have a messy desk if you want. But creativity isn’t chaos if you work with other people. While someone may be a fan of the piles on their own desk, at some point they enter the world of other people and their boundaries. Let’s not mask basic rudeness as “quirky energy.”
“Borrowing” things without asking as a quirky habit
You know what’s not fun? Being spontaneous and helping yourself to other people’s things. Trust needs to be built up before you are allowed to just take other people’s stuff. It may seem fun and carefree to you, but to the other person, it’s being stolen.
Replying late to messages as “living in the moment”
Ah yes, the spiritual master too busy “living in the moment” to respond to a simple text. Meanwhile, you’re over here wondering if they even saw it. Free spirit goes out the window when it starts to look like disrespect.
Laughing at inappropriate moments as “having a unique sense of humor”
Humor is only as funny as its context allows. Nervous laughter or ill-timed giggles can come off as dismissive, leaving the other person feeling awkward. Quirky is fine, but even quirky people understand timing.
Eating noisily as “celebrating my meals”
Some folks try to excuse loud chewing as just being passionate about their food. Slurping soup and smacking lips isn’t attractive to the person in the seat next to you. Loving food doesn’t mean no one else matters.
Interrupting personal space as “being tactile”
Think about a colleague leaning into your chair or continuously patting your arm while insisting “that’s just how I am”. Those small but constant violations can make your work environment feel like an uncomfortable place.
Leaving group responsibilities undone as “team flexibility”
Collaboration is only possible when freedom is paired with responsibility. Someone gets to check out of their share of group obligations and other people pick up their slack. Flexibility in a group should never be at the expense of the group.
Bringing strong smells into shared spaces as “being expressive”
It’s also possible to express yourself without being overpowering. Strong odors can be distracting, annoying and even toxic for the people around you. Dismissing it as personality ignores that public spaces are shared.
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