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If you don’t have anything nice to say, it might be best not to say anything at all. But that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to think judgmental things about other people. If you witness someone litter, yell at their dog or plow through a crosswalk without even checking for pedestrians, you might start giving an aggressive side-eye without even realizing.
Reddit users have recently been sharing all of the things strangers do in public that cause them to immediately cast judgment, so we’ve gathered some of their most popular responses below. Some might annoy you and others might pleasantly surprise you (as judgment doesn’t always have to be bad), so enjoy scrolling through and be sure to upvote the replies you agree with!
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#2
Take out their phone to film while someone is in a bad situation, instead of trying to help / call for help
#3
Giving minimum wage employees an unnecessarily hard time. Lady, the cashier didn't pick out the f*****g prices for your vanilla iced latte. Just pay for your s**t or admit you're broke and leave.
#4
Throw trash on the ground
#6
Take something out of the supermarket freezer (or fridge), put it in your trolley/basket/whatever. Then later decide you don’t want it so you take it out and put it on a random shelf, to thaw and spoil before somebody notices
Not too crazy bout people leaving s**t random spots at the shops but it happens, I get it . However leaving something on a shelf when it should be refrigerated/frozen is just a d**k move. Put it back where ya got it or give it to a supermarket employee (I mean it’s a bit lazy/rude but better than nothing), don’t just leave it somewhere to go to waste
Leanne Hailes 2 years ago
I once discovered a busted glass bottle of pop in one of the freezers 😕
#7
Watch a video on full blast, without headphones where it is very clearly inappropriate.
Or scream at their kids, in front of a bunch of strangers. I think it’s absolutely humiliating for a child and it is very telling of how they are to the child all the time.
Katie Lutesinger 2 years ago
I was at the bus stop and this woman was screaming swearwords at her toddler. Right before I got on the bus I looked her in the eye and said "You are a horrible person." Someone who got on the bus with me gave me this look like "FINALLY someone said it".
#8
Touch/Destroy public art or etch their name/disrespect a cultural(historical) space.
#9
Not use their indicators when turning.
I will assume they are in fact a morlock visiting the surface, and unfamiliar that we live in a society!
keyboardtek 2 years ago
I don't trust them when they do use a turn signal as so many forget they have them on.
#10
Bring their kid or their pet to an inappropriate event. Your child is three, they don’t need to be at an outdoor beer festival.
#11
Drop litter. Not pick up their dog's s**t.
A little Elf Conscious 2 years ago
Ugh! This reminds me of when my neighbor kept letting their dog poo in my yard without cleaning it up. I warned her to take care of the mess and was ignored right up until after I smeared the most recent pile across her front door with a note stuck to it that simply stated, "you forgot this".
#12
Vape on public transport, especially on the underground. I'm a vaper myself but there's something so disrespectful about making everyone in the carriage breathe your clouds of flavoured nicotine.
#13
How they treat people in customer service, like store clerks or waiters.
Chill man, he's going to refill your drinks. Give him a second.
#14
Saw a person unloading their groceries just push their cart into the next parking space and drive off. The next parking space was occupied by someone who was there, about to back out, who now had to deal with the cart behind them. *All the judgement.*
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 2 years ago
There is a theory: People who are innately “good” will return the cart to its resting place, and those who aren't won't.
#16
Parents who prank their kids. UGH. They are truly the worst. Parents who use their children to make money in general. Videos, acting, pageants. They are not your money makers. It will have long lasting effects
LillieMean 2 years ago
I came across this sick challenge where a child's reaction is filmed when a parent breaks a raw egg on the child's head. I'm wondering what the correct order is if the video was filmed in my country. Screenshots and report to the police and child protection or first notification of inappropriate content and then report to the authorities. Such behavior must not go unpunished. I don't find scaring animals funny either. One more cat scare video with a cucumber and I'm really close to wanting to push that cucumber somewhere sideways.
#17
Have no awareness of their surroundings. Slow in the fast line, come to a dead halt in the entrance of a building, etc.
#18
Let their children run freely in a crowded parking lot. I am probably one of the most non-judgmental people you will ever meet, but if my brakes get tested because you are not paying attention and your kid runs in front of my car, my inner Karen will come out. You have been warned.
keyboardtek 2 years ago
Toddlers running loose near the deep end of the swimming pool with no parent nearby.
#19
For me, it's being on your phone while driving. Instant rage. Full disclosure: I was T-boned by one of those a-holes
#20
Spitting on the ground where other people are walking. At least make the effort to go spit on a bush or something...even though the bush is innocent in all of this
Stardust she/her 2 years ago
You’d judge almost everyone in India. It’s even worse if someone is either having paan or tobacco
#21
Play music on their phone without headphones
#22
Park their grocery cart in the middle of the aisle and stay there while they look at every item on the shelf, even when it's clear there are people waiting to get by.
#23
Spit or flick a cigarette butt on the ground
hitex 2 years ago
I make sure it's out with the ground & my Shoe & then I find a trash can at least to dispose it...I have to carry wipes bc its a little bit gross picking it back up and all but I'm not gonna litter or accidentally set a trash can on fire either. I smoked it, I'm responsible to dispose of it
#24
Removing their shoes in public spaces. Caught so many people resting their nasty bare feet on a seat across them.
#27
I saw a woman buy an ice cream cone, smile while taking a selfie of her and the ice cream, and then toss it right in the trash without ever tasting it
#28
During peak COVID, my coworker and I witnessed someone pull their mask down, sneeze, and then put the mask back on
InfamousBerry34 2 years ago
It annoyed me so much when people had their masks under their nose or even under their chin. Just why?
#29
Smoke while they're pregnant
Unpickled Pickle 2 years ago
Drinking alcohol while pregnant leads to long term detriments for your child too. Remember, whatever you ingest or breathe, your baby does it too.
#30
Try to force their child to ride a rollercoaster(or other ride) when the kid is crying and yelling no.
I spent four summers working as a ride operator at an amusement park in Oh*o. The way some of those parents seemed to get off on their kids' fear always got to me.
I had an autistic child using alternate access with his family once(brother and parents) and as soon as he got into the seat he started to melt down. We are trained to ask the child, and only the child, if they want to ride. I asked him if he wanted to and he gave me an immediate and clear no - which is fair because it's a 300'+ rollercoaster. I had restraints unlocked within seconds as I wanted to keep trains moving to let him off.
This mother f*****g a*****e piece of s**t father starts screaming at me while his kid is shaking and sobbing, and gets within an inch of my face telling me how I've ruined his day before I even get the chance to give them a pass to walk onto the ride at a later time if the boy changes his mind and decides he wants to ride later(he won't). At this time I'm a 6' college age female and this man starts to pull his arm back like he's going to punch me. Had another guest almost jump over the exit gate to stop him from decking me - all because he wanted to force his kid to ride a rollercoaster. I got closer to him and told him to get off my platform, which to be fair I had been doing, and he finally f****d off after about ten minutes of screaming. I even let his wife and other son stay on the ride.
They went to guest services and complained about me to my roommate who just happened to be at the desk. She basically told him to kick rocks and that I did my job.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
I've always been terrified of roller coasters and most rides. My parents let me sit on a nearby bench to wait.
#31
Drivers that have a go at people with disability blue badges because "you're not really disabled!"
hitex 2 years ago
You never know what someone suffers from. What about Michael J. Fox in back to the future trilogy? By end of 3rd movie his tremors were already bad but he would let us see that. By screaming such things to ppl bc they don't look disabled likely causes unnecessary stress, embarrassment & shame to someone with an illness they don't want to disclose or show
#32
Many years ago I was in a department store and there was this guy and wife or girlfriend and they had a kid with them. I'm assuming the kid was his mother's son and the guy was his stepdad. It was probably near back to school time because I guess they were going to be buying his school supplies. In any case I overheard the stepdad several times over yelling at the kid, kept telling him to put stuff back, saying something like his mom's child support checks have to buy his beer and cigarettes first, they didn't have any money left over for everything the kid wanted. That was the height of trashiness, I wish I was closer to get a look and get an idea who he was so I could have turned him in. It made me sick for the kid in that his stepdad was making him go without to fund his own wants, with especially what was supposed to be his money
MrsFettesVette 2 years ago
I had a young (teenage) patient come in with several teeth that were painfully decayed to the point of being broken/needing root canals. He hadn't been to the dentist in years- because "his mom's teeth came first". I was horrified that his mother had been getting care all along and putting herself before her kids well-being- the antithesis of every other parent I've ever met.
#33
Not return their grocery cart. Tucking it into the bushes or the space next to them like they don’t care someone is gonna have to clean up behind them. ‘It’s their job.’
Arthur Waite 2 years ago
When I was old enough to go with my Mom to the grocery store, she'd always find a cart that was left in the corner of the lot, and get me to push it in, saying "If it's good enough to get this far, it must be good cart." And I grew up with this habit, every time I push a cart back in to a Wal-Mart or Loblaws, etc., I think of my Mom and how smart she was.
#34
I saw a guy at the cinema restroom leave without washing his hands, go into the same theater as me, sit down, and take a handful of popcorn from a shared bucket with his lady friend
#35
People staring at their phones the whole time while they're out to eat with someone. Won't even notice that I'm looking because they're too focused on their phone.
FeelingFrisky 2 years ago
I was lunching with a girl I was just getting to know (she was dating my son).She couldn't stay off her phone. I got up and left.
#36
Start yelling. At kids, wife, husband, dog, cat, cop. Don't matter. Yelling in public, it sets the wrong impression from the start.
keyboardtek 2 years ago
I was put on steroids for a week for back pain and it caused a major meltdown at my daughter. Outside a church. It was the most embarrassing day of my life to lose my temper.
#37
Stop at the bottom of an escalator to think about where they want to go.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
Now, I would stop, because I'd need to put my brave girl panties on. I'm afraid of escalators.
#38
Smoke around their children (sorry not sorry, I don't care if you smoke but don't do it around your kids). Not offer up a seat on public transportation for someone else who needs it more. Litter.
hitex 2 years ago
I smoke at work on break & when I get home wait until kid goes to bed - at which point, I am literally the wife in 'this is 40' who puts on thick layex gloves & sits out on curb behind my car like im.sneaking a joint. I need to quit but I can't let my bad habit give her 2nd hand either
#39
Adults throwing a fit in store/ fast food/airport, because someone forgot your pickles, etc. Those people need to leave this planet.
#40
Get in peoples’ way to film a TikTok
Javelina Poppers 2 years ago
Was once asked to get off a bench in the park because they needed it for some influencer shots. Almost led to fisticuffs.
#41
I was walking my kids to the park tonight and a stranger asked me what school they went to.
That.
#42
Groping their companion. It is just such bad taste. I don't mean an affectionate arm drape, or a hug, but the hands all over the place. It's just gross.
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 2 years ago
I guess this is meant, 'in public'. (like in a theatre where 'Beetlejuice' is playing....)
#43
Yelling angrily at their doggo/ kid. I understand frustrations exist, but because of my own life history, both of those situations immediately set off my UhOh radar.
#45
Ask me to talk with them about God.
keyboardtek 2 years ago
I enjoy using logic with religious zealots as they are so easily confused.
Mochi 2 years ago
Hahaha. Them: "You shouldn't murder children!!" Me: "Didn't God murder hundreds of children for Noah's ark? What about jobs children? Them: :0
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hitex 2 years ago
No, no, no. I even believe in God but I don't need, or want, your opinions unless it's a mutually engaged conversation amongst friends...altho I haven't even done that in over a decade. It's embarrassing & they are oblivious to fact that their 'efforts' are totally ineffective & they sound like a scientology group near my college trying to hunt us down for a 'personality test'
Em 2 years ago
Or ask to pray for you, though it is kinda fun to see their reactions when you say "sure, as long as you do it elsewhere."
Fennecfoxcat 2 years ago
Yessss! I have tendonitis in one of my hands and I have to wear a brace. Problem is the brace gets really warm and sweaty, so I like to take it off at lunch to stretch my hand a bit. Anyways one of my "friends" (not anymore) was very insistent on letting him pray for my recovery. I really wouldn't have minded really but that involved him holding my hand, which I was absolutely not comfortable with
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Sean 2 years ago
For an extra confused stare, say “you mean our lord and savior, The Flying Spaghetti Monster”.
Load More Replies... Lene 2 years ago
I studied religion at the university and somehow got my hands on the book of Mormon. So whenever some Mormons want to talk with me on the street I politely decline by saying that I got the book at home and when I have read it I will be more than happy to talk with them. And with JWs... if they come to your door you should just ask them to write you up in their black book (it's book where they write down all the places they will not go again. Either because you asked them to or because they figured you are out of reach). If they come again after that you remind them that you're in their book and if they come again you call the cops. That works in Denmark and I hope it helps in other countries. And "out of reach" is usually just if you are a polytheist. In my country that's a no-go for them (usually).
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I just tell people "My grandmother and father were pastors. I'm still not Christian. Do you think you can convert me if they couldn't?" it usually shuts them up with the random "But wouldn't it make your grandma so happy to accept Jesus in your heart? Just say it." Sure, I can say the words but it won't mean anything. Side note, the fact they think just saying the words mean anything shows they care about nothing else than a point in their made up system of souls saved
LillieMean 2 years ago
I have learned a few phrases to get rid of the shovelers of religion. I'm a Satanist. I don't have time to talk now, I have terrible diarrhea. I don't have time, I'm going to the pharmacy to buy medicine for bacterial vaginosis. The more embarrassing the better. this also works for creeps because during confusion you can disappear smoothly.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I told people I was Buddhist in college. If I said Satanist, they tried to convert me but they knew almost nothing about Buddhism so had no idea where to start lol
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Danish Susanne 2 years ago
When in rality they don't want to talk about God but about religion, and in their own version.
Goat express 2 years ago
I always think of Jim Gaffigan. "I'm going to talk to you about Jesus." "He better not!"
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
My Mom & I have to avoid religion altogether. Anything Pat Roberston (700 Club) spouts is the absolute TRUTH, dontcha know. I'm like - Ma, there are over 5,000 religions on this planet & I find it pretty hard to believe that the sweet little African bushman, who has lived an exemplary life, is going to hell because he never heard of some guy named Jesus. Just. Don't. Buy. It.
H Nunya 2 years ago (edited)
I actually really enjoy being the slightest bit intelligent and using logic while those type of people don’t even seem to have a functioning brain. The entire religion comes crumbling down at the drop of a fact. Yet they still follow it again right after. You really can’t argue with them.
Kathy Wilbourne 2 years ago
It's so tiresome when people insist on pushing their beliefs, religious or otherwise, on others, like, yeah, our religion etc is the only true religion and everyone else is wrong or doomed. Such people are almost invariably ignoramuses who haven't a clue about anything. Beliefs are just beliefs, and just because some book or politician or prophet or whoever said something, doesn't make it true. It might be true, but it also might not.
byeon dovei 2 years ago
listen. I’m religious but if I don’t know you, I don’t want to talk period. if it’s a friend, of course! but if someone assumes I don’t know jesus or some s**t, gtfo.
SmooshieFries 2 years ago
Some older man did this to my husband while we were on vacation. He was soaking happily in a mineral pool early one morning, nearly asleep when this man just loudly starts preaching at him, jolting him awake! My husband was polite and told him no thank you and moved away from him and the man just kept following him until my guy finally just left
StrangeOne 2 years ago (edited)
I'll talk about God with them if they're willing to listen to me talk about Mother Earth and the spiritual beings who inhabit every rock, tree and creature. Heck, I'll turn it into a song.
Alex Ruddies 2 years ago
And I'll gladly accept, as long as you're willing to hear about the evolution of your religion, from semitic polytheism to modern form. I'll even point out influences from other religions and folklore.
Deborah Rubin 2 years ago
Which God? Judeo-Christian? Allah? Shiva? Buddha? (OK I know he isn't a god per se) The Great Pumpkin?
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Let them go off on their long spiel and then say "Oh, you said God? Sorry, I thought you said dogs. No dogs, not interested but have a lovely day!"
Der Kommissar 2 years ago
Ringing my doorbell way too early on a Saturday with a pamphlet, trying to convert me to their bullshiat religion.
Heather Menard 2 years ago
I had a drug addict who just OD Ed a couple days before hand tell me they had found God before that um then how did you od?
Michael Largey 2 years ago
"Have you found Jesus?" "He isn't lost, mam. He's just avoiding you."
Ace 2 years ago
Very easy to deal with. You just need to suppress any polite instincts and tell them to F off.
#46
Have a conversation during a concert. If you hold a conversation during a concert you are an a*****e. STFU and let the people around you that paid good money to attend the concert enjoy it.
#47
Take up more than half of a two-way sidewalk
Javelina Poppers 2 years ago
Or the parking lot rodeo clowns who have no idea what those little white lines are for.......and no they don't mark centerline for your car.
#49
Preach. Bonus points for the fire and brimstone stuff. Extra bonus points if I can fluster them by knowing scripture better than them.
#51
Exist. If i had to be specific, it would be speaker phone. Im just trying to enjoy my bus ride, i dont want to hear your business.
#52
Scream at their partner
#54
Me and my friends were ice skating earlier and saw a man put his skates on with no socks.
#56
Cause a scene
tjh1855 2 years ago
I once went on a cruise with a friend.. We are both on the progressive end of the political spectrum, but she believes that big businesses are actually evil. I don't necessarily think they are always good, but I am at heart a believer in limited capitalism and what it has done for technology, quality of life, etc. Anyway, she had been drinking most of the day. That night we had the captain's dinner that we had purchased because she wanted one formal evening. At the dinner we were chatting about politics and she completely went off on me for defending Wal-Mart. I mean yelling at me at this dinner in a private room with about 2 dozen people who paid good money for a fancy meal. She calmed down in a few minutes, but one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life.
#57
Take an extra shopping cart back to the cart return area along with their own.
Give a homeless person food instead of money.
Compliment a stranger who looks unhappy.
Using 'thank you' and 'excuse me' as they go about their day.
#58
Cuss and being loud at a fine restaurant you made reservations at for your birthday
#59
When they ask for money when I’m walking out of a store. It usually them being short about $10 to fill up their gas tanks.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
This is easy to handle in 2023. Simply say, "Sorry, I don't carry cash."
#60
An act of kindness - especially one that doesn’t benefit that person.
OP didn’t say it had to be negative.
#61
Smoke in a no smoking area. Use a cell phone on speaker. Drive a BMW or Audi. Open carry.
#62
If they pick up litter I think they're a good person.
#64
I won't look you in the eyes if you have political propaganda on your car/property
#65
A group at the bar yesterday sat down at our table (no problem with this, it was a large table in a packed bar and just my boyfriend and me). He then proceeded to chuck a used lime wedge in our direction, offered us his half drunk IPA when he had to head out, and then left his chair completely pushed out directly in the walkway. So yeah, that. Having zero spatial awareness that translates to piggish behavior.
#69
Help someone in need. Instant good person karma from me.
Geoffrey Scott 2 years ago
I guess I'm an a$$$$$e. Have had SO many people (relatives mainly) assume I am responsible for their decisions and to "help"...I'm not.
#71
I judge people for being too nice to their pets. Dogs should not be in strollers
What do you think ?
LillieMean 2 years ago
Electric scooters. People don't even know the basics of traffic rules and they drive them carelessly and leave them in the middle of the sidewalk, under the stairs or in general there are too many dangerous situations. I'm waiting for the day when they are banned here too. The idea of electric scooters is good, but it doesn't work because people behave like people.
Tracy Sellars 2 years ago
Performing certain acts on your partner in a theatre is something no one should be doing.
Dirk Daring 2 years ago (edited)
Riding bicycles on a windy two-lane road with no shoulders. Trying to wave me around them right before a truck came around a blind curve. Now a line of cars is stuck doing 8 miles an hour behind two dipsh*ts who have never heard of a park.
Sky Render 2 years ago
My big one is when people drive down the middle of a two-lane driveway or parking lot. I mean really? Share the freaking road you jerks...
Cosmetica Solist 2 years ago
Anyone being mean to children or animals. Inexcusable to take out whatever issues you have on defenseless and completely innocent beings.
Elio 2 years ago
Grown adults running in front of my car. No really, as I was leaving the apartment fir work, I had three different grown men run in front of my car as I was driving. They're lucky I follow the parking lot speed limit. The kids where I live are smarter than that! So these guys must be copying the pigeons.
Rostit. . 2 years ago
people driving who dont pay attention. speed limits, traffic conditions etc. Pay attention.
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
Or those who creep along on a two-lane highway, but floor it when you get a chance to pass. There should be a special place in Hell for them.
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Mrs. Ginger McSarcasm 2 years ago
Was the title of this article always "What not to do in public?" I'm a little confused by how many people put gave positive answers
Scotira 2 years ago (edited)
No. The original was: What can a stranger do in public that will immediately make you judge them? Edit: the "not in public" was added by BP 🤦🏻♀️
Load More Replies... LillieMean 2 years ago
Electric scooters. People don't even know the basics of traffic rules and they drive them carelessly and leave them in the middle of the sidewalk, under the stairs or in general there are too many dangerous situations. I'm waiting for the day when they are banned here too. The idea of electric scooters is good, but it doesn't work because people behave like people.
Tracy Sellars 2 years ago
Performing certain acts on your partner in a theatre is something no one should be doing.
Dirk Daring 2 years ago (edited)
Riding bicycles on a windy two-lane road with no shoulders. Trying to wave me around them right before a truck came around a blind curve. Now a line of cars is stuck doing 8 miles an hour behind two dipsh*ts who have never heard of a park.
Sky Render 2 years ago
My big one is when people drive down the middle of a two-lane driveway or parking lot. I mean really? Share the freaking road you jerks...
Cosmetica Solist 2 years ago
Anyone being mean to children or animals. Inexcusable to take out whatever issues you have on defenseless and completely innocent beings.
Elio 2 years ago
Grown adults running in front of my car. No really, as I was leaving the apartment fir work, I had three different grown men run in front of my car as I was driving. They're lucky I follow the parking lot speed limit. The kids where I live are smarter than that! So these guys must be copying the pigeons.
Rostit. . 2 years ago
people driving who dont pay attention. speed limits, traffic conditions etc. Pay attention.
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
Or those who creep along on a two-lane highway, but floor it when you get a chance to pass. There should be a special place in Hell for them.
Load More Replies... Mrs. Ginger McSarcasm 2 years ago
Was the title of this article always "What not to do in public?" I'm a little confused by how many people put gave positive answers
Scotira 2 years ago (edited)
No. The original was: What can a stranger do in public that will immediately make you judge them? Edit: the "not in public" was added by BP 🤦🏻♀️
Load More Replies...
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