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You’re Not Alone

Sometimes you find yourself coping with difficult colleagues no matter where you work, and you may wonder if the world has lost its collective mind. It hasn’t. It’s just rude and growing more so by the minute.

A study by the nonprofit group Public Agenda found that 79 percent of Americans believe that rudeness—defined as a lack of respect and courtesy—is so severe that it should be viewed as a national problem. And 60 percent believe the problem is worsening.

“Our society has contributed to people being more rude,” said Karen A. Solomon, a psychotherapist in Commack, New York.

Working women certainly feel the pressures that lead to discourtesies. “They are rushing to work, picking up kids, taking kids to appointments, and rushing home. They just have so much to do that they lose sight of common courtesies.”

Studies have cited other reasons for the increase in incivilities: increased workloads and fears about layoffs. Companies’ fondness for outsourcing jobs and getting more out of their remaining employee, suggest the rudeness problem will get worse.

So don’t blame yourself for difficult colleagues. Just make sure you don what psychologists call your “emotional wet suit” before heading into the office.