Great put downs for rude people

I think good manners were so drilled into me I even thank Alexa when she answers my questions! I used to get so cross when I worked in schools and certain teachers failed to thank a pupil for holding a door open for them. In my current job I always hold the door open for visitors and there is always the occasional one who will just sail through without even acknowledging me (does wearing a uniform make me invisible???)

VioletSky

I just ask them to explain what they mean until they get uncomfortable and go away

Yes, you’ve demonstrated this well on gransnet

I just don't really understand the need to be rude or what people get out of it

Sometimes people are inadvertently rude, maybe just tactless? That can be quite funny.

My very timid mother was taking me for a walk in my pushchair in a park when she was flashed by a dirty old man in the proverbial long Mac. Apparently she said no thanks I don’t smoke. This was a much repeated story at family gatherings.

I agree with you and said as much earlier. I generally avoid rude ill mannered folk. I confess to having shouted at a man recently, who let his out of control dog, on a stupid extendables jump all over my dog, on a short lead, sitting nicely to let them pass,

When I stopped teaching I took a job in a Tesco supermarket. Most customers were fine, but occasionally you would find some who liked to talk down to the staff on the tills. One man waiting in the queue was discussing classical music with his wife. He looked at me and told me I probably didn't know what he was talking about. I found myself spouting about my favourite Beethoven pieces. He shut up. I wish he had gone through my colleagues nearby till as she used to be professor or English Literature at Moscow university !

My sister in law who was a very sarcastic individual once got pranged in her car by an irate middle aged lady who looked very fashion conscious and face lifted but who took no responsibility for pulling out of a junction into the side of my SIL’s car and started swearing non stop. SIL let her rant until she drew breath and just said ‘ oh you poor dear, is it the menopause?

henetha

Ages ago I said to a rude snappy check out lady in Tesco, "What charm school did you go to?". I had read it somewhere and it came in handy.

H - I do like this one. It’s cute and funny. If you’re in a group and would say that, it may illicit some laughs… that in itself would be a confirmation of your intent to make the person aware of her rudeness. All without dragon slaying.

Thanks Gundy. I like it too. In fact, I'm waiting for a chance to use it again ! It's kind of harmless and yet makes a point.

"What do you mean?" Blank stare. ....."Yes but what exactly do you mean?" ...Blank puzxled look ..." That is still not clear. What do you mean?"

Ties rude people up in knots!!

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This is a very effective technique because it embarasses the other person and puts them on the back foot. Its particularly appropriate when they have made some personal remark or slight about your appearance.

A very effective closer is something like:-

Well I can always lose weight/get my hair done/buy new clothes/insert as appropriate but you will always be a rude ignorent tosser/twat/insert as appropriate,

biglouis I used a similar retort when I was a young woman. I was wearing a black and red floral trouser suit when a bloke on a building site called out to ask if my mum was missing her curtains. I think it’s the only time in my life when I had an immediate, appropriate response. I walked right up to the man and his leering mates and said something like: “I can easily change my clothes, but I’m afraid you’re stuck with your defective personality,” his mates roared with laughter and I laughed with them as I walked away. I’ll bet he got robbed for weeks about that. 😂
(I think I stole the line from my sister.)

Ribbed, not robbed! Grr - where’s the edit button.

My best response was to someone behind me in a supermarket queue; I was a bit slower than usual due to the fact that I had one arm in plaster of Paris, having broken my wrist a few days previous. Anyway, Mrs Impatient behind me announces with a loud sigh, "I always seem to end up directly behind a complete moron". I turned around, smiled sweetly and said "oh, what a coincidence; I always seem to end up directly in front of one"

A very rude librarian at the university where I worked bullied students mercilessly and treated non-academic staff like dirt. I garnered a round of applause when I asked her, loudly, if she was always so unpleasant or was I getting special treatment. No bother from her ever again.

HA! That's brilliant!

I reply to rude people with ''I suggest you go back to your crayons and play dough''!

I once saw this in the newspaper. A man was at the airline terminal and could not get another flight after his had been cancelled and he was getting very rude. He asked the young lady, "Do you know who I am". The young lady put an announcement over the tannoy system and said I have a gentleman at the check in desk who doesn't know who he is, can someone help.

Musicgirl

Jaffacake2

It was a busy train from Oxford to Reading and I really felt very tired. I noticed a free seat with a briefcase on it next to a man in a suit.
" Excuse me can I sit down please ? "
His reply , " But my case is there "
" Does your case have a ticket because I do and I'm sitting there ! "
Reluctantly he moved his bag,rude man

I once used the line "I'm glad to see that you have paid for two seats" in a similar situation. Fortunately, a polite man nearby got his older son to stand up so that l could sit down.

Recently I was on a fairly busy train and the guard did the usual announcement, ending with a request to remove bags etc from seats so that everyone could sit down. She then said that she would be happy to sell a ticket for a bag or a hat if anybody should wish to buy one, which cheered us all up!

Well Judy, thx for making the point, I had to look up some advice, as my usual response is to go into Rottweiler mode. IsNibs has been known to shout (at someone who didn't say "thank you" for a held-open door) "Sorry, didn't quite catch that", or occasionally "do you have trouble keeping servants"

I see the general advice is -- along with a number on here -- to stay polite, even overdo it. However, if someone really deserves a balloon being burst, maybe try one of :-

“I appreciate your perspective”

“Why do you feel that was necessary, and do you really expect me to answer?”

“Did you mean to be rude? If so, you’re doing an excellent job!”

or perhaps “You always have something negative to say, don’t you?”.

When I was a very young teacher, the Head of Geography was an extremely portly man. He was walking down a corridor and when two boys politely opened both sides of a double swing door for him to walk through. His response was to give them a detention for their” cheek”.

If I have held a door for someone who sails through it I usually ask them did they get a refund. If asked its the school of good manners

"Are you OK?" Stops people in their tracks.