Ill-Manners. Improper Doing and Saying

Abstract

The article investigates the concept of rudeness through a semiotic framework, emphasizing the importance of "ways of doing" rather than merely actions. It posits that rudeness reflects a deficiency in social competence, often evaluated against societal standards of behavior. The author references the works of Goffman and Bourdieu to elucidate how rudeness operates within social interactions, highlighting two distinct relational dimensions of behavior implicated in the judgment of rudeness: ways of doing and ways of saying. Furthermore, the article differentiates between sporadic infractions of expected behavioral norms and repeated violations by the same individual in various contexts, which contribute to the recognition of a praxis role. Ultimately, the article aims to elucidate the broader implications of rudeness in social dynamics, proposing that it frequently serves as an indicator of cultural and institutional shortcomings.