21 Disrespectful Things Virginians Do All the Time That Need to Stop

Somewhere along the way, some Virginians stopped holding the door for the person behind them. They started texting during dinner. They began treating every minor inconvenience like a personal attack.

The truth?

A lot of us have picked up habits that are, frankly, just plain rude. And we’ve done it so often, we barely notice the following disrespectful things.

Leaving a Mess in Public Spaces

You’ve seen it: trash left on a fast-food table, spilled coffee on store shelves, or popcorn scattered across a theater floor.

Cleaning up after yourself isn’t just polite, it’s respectful of workers and everyone else who uses that space.

Just because someone’s paid to clean doesn’t mean you should make their job harder.

We teach kids to pick up their toys. Adults should know better.

Not Returning Shopping Carts

The parking lot is right there. The cart return is also right there. And yet, if you hang around a shopping plaza long enough, you’ll inevitably spot someone’s cart rolling into an SUV.

Returning one’s shopping cart is such a small act of courtesy. But it’s one that many people skip without thinking.

Yes, you may be in a rush. Yes, the weather may be unpleasant. But not returning your cart is the epitome of being lazy.

It may not seem like a big deal, but for the person with a scratched vehicle from a cart, it totally is.

Blasting Noise From Your Phone in Public

TikToks, podcasts, voice memos—it doesn’t matter what’s playing. If it’s on full volume and you’re in public, it’s a problem.

Not everyone wants to hear your playlist while riding the bus or sitting in a waiting room.

Use headphones. It’s not hard.

If you wouldn’t want someone blaring their Netflix show next to you, that’s a sign you shouldn’t do it either.

Ignoring Service Workers

There are few things more disrespectful than treating people like they’re invisible, especially when they’re helping you.

Not making eye contact, not saying thank you, or worse, talking on your phone while ordering. It’s all rude.

Being polite doesn’t cost anything, but it means everything.

People remember kindness. They also remember being dismissed.

Cutting Lines or Holding Places for 10 People

We get it—you’re in a hurry. So is everyone else.

Jumping ahead in line, or calling over your entire group after you’ve waited alone, just makes everyone behind you seethe.

Waiting your turn isn’t just fair, it’s foundational to being respectful to others.

If you wouldn’t want it done to you, don’t do it to others.

Talking Over Others

We live in a loud world. But that doesn’t mean everyone needs to yell over one another to be heard.

Constantly interrupting or dominating conversations isn’t assertive, it’s disrespectful.

It shows you’re not listening. Or worse, that you don’t care what others have to say.

Let people finish. Take a breath. The world won’t end if you’re not the loudest voice in the room.

Flaking Without a Word

Life happens. We get it. But when someone makes plans with you, they’ve given you their time.

Bailing last-minute without any notice, or just ghosting entirely, is selfish and inconsiderate.

Even a quick text goes a long way in showing basic respect for another person’s schedule.

Friendships aren’t just about fun. They’re about accountability, too.

Blowing Up at Employees for Things They Can’t Control

Yelling at the cashier because your coupon expired? Not okay.

Freaking out on a flight attendant about a weather delay? Also not okay.

Taking out your frustration on someone who had nothing to do with the issue is unfair—and a terrible look.

Everyone’s trying their best. A little grace goes a long way.

Tossing Litter Out of a Vehicle

Watching someone use the road as a garbage can sends a message loud and clear: “I don’t care who has to clean this up.”

Littering from a car isn’t just lazy—it’s wildly disrespectful. It shows zero concern for the environment, the people who live in the area, and the workers who have to clean it up.

What makes it worse is how avoidable it is. Cars have cup holders, door compartments, glove boxes, and—shocker—a floor where you can store your trash.

Some folks act like holding onto a banana peel for five extra minutes before they can get to a trash can is an unbearable burden.

Not Saying “Excuse Me” or “Thank You”

Some people rush through life and forget the basics. But those tiny phrases you learned in kindergarten? They still matter.

Say “Excuse me” when navigating a crowded aisle. Say “Thank you” when someone holds the door. Say “Please” when asking for help.

These words are simple, sincere, and powerful.

We learned them as kids. It’s time for some folks to dust them off.

Hogging the Sidewalk

Picture this: A group of friends is walking three people across a sidewalk, laughing it up, while people behind them are stuck doing awkward sidewalk acrobatics.

We’ve all been there, and it’s frustrating. Let others pass.

Sidewalks are shared spaces. If someone’s clearly trying to get by, move over.

Ignoring Invitations (Instead of Just Declining)

It’s okay to say no to an invitation. But not replying at all? That’s just plain rude.

When someone invites you to something—whether it’s a wedding, party, or even a small hangout—they’re extending themselves.

You don’t have to go. But you do have to answer.

Ghosting invites make people feel invisible. A polite “Sorry, can’t make it” is more respectful than silence.

Parking Like You Own the Lot

The list of poor ways people park feels endless. Taking up two spaces. Parking in front of someone’s driveway. Blocking an accessible ramp.

Bad parking isn’t just lazy—it’s disrespectful to everyone else who needs that space.

You’re not special. You’re not the exception. Park correctly and let others move on with their day.

Talking Loudly in Quiet Places

Libraries, waiting rooms, museum exhibits—some spaces were built for quiet.

That doesn’t mean you have to whisper so low that the person beside you can’t hear you. But it does mean reading the room.

If others are clearly trying to focus or relax, take your voice down a notch.

Being aware of your volume shows respect towards others.

Leaving Restrooms a Mess

You wouldn’t leave your own bathroom covered in paper towels and puddles, right? (We hope.)

Public restrooms are shared spaces. Flushing, washing up, and tossing trash properly should be second nature.

Leaving a mess is basically telling the next person: “Not my problem.”

But it is, because we all use the same spaces.

Letting Kids Run Wild in Public Spaces

Kids are kids—they’re going to be loud, curious, and full of energy. But that doesn’t mean total chaos is acceptable.

Letting children scream nonstop in restaurants, climb on store displays, or block aisles isn’t cute—it’s disruptive.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about parents taking responsibility for the lives they brought into the world.

Respect in public starts young—and it starts with parents.

Chewing Loudly or With Mouth Open

Eating so everyone can hear you or see your food isn’t just bad table manners—it’s distracting, gross, and makes meals uncomfortable for everyone nearby.

No one wants to hear every bite, slurp, or crunch in stereo sound. They’re trying to eat, not attend an ASMR horror show.

In the U.S., mouths are meant to be closed while chewing. If you don’t like it, head to a country where making sounds while eating is viewed as a compliment to the chef.

Oversharing Online About Others Without Consent

Posting photos of your kids’ tantrums. Sharing screenshots of private texts. Tagging people in posts they never approved.

Not everything needs to be content. Some things are just… life.

It’s one thing to share your own story. But dragging others into it without their say? That’s not fair.

Respect means thinking twice before hitting “post.”

Using Your Phone While Someone’s Talking to You

We’ve all been there: You’re talking with someone, and mid-sentence, they glance down, scrolling on their phone or checking a message like you’re nothing more than background noise.

Few things feel more disrespectful than someone prioritizing their screen over your words.

It sends the message: “You’re not interesting enough to hold my attention.”

Put the phone away. Eye contact and presence go a long way in holding a real conversation.

Hogging the Armrest on Airplanes or Theaters

PSA: If a person is in the middle seat, they get both armrests. That’s the unspoken (but widely accepted) rule.

Too often, people claim an armrest regardless of the seat they’re in. Suddenly, someone’s squished like a sardine with nowhere to rest their arms.

It’s a small space, sure—but small courtesies make all the difference in close quarters.

Being a good seat neighbor means sharing the comfort, not monopolizing it.

Acting Like Rules Don’t Apply to You

We’ve all seen it—the person vaping under a “No Smoking” sign. The dog off-leash in a clearly marked area. The driver who blows through the stop sign.

These small rule-breaks may seem harmless, but they chip away at shared trust and safety.