Workplaces are a frappe of personality disorders and mental illness. People who were raised to be polite, people who weren't, and sprinkle in one psychopath and

Workplaces are a frappe of personality disorders and mental illness. People who were raised to be polite, people who weren't, and sprinkle in one psychopath and one or two sociopaths per one hundred people. Think about all the crazy people you've ever known? They all cause just as much trouble at work as in their personal lives, and they all have to work somewhere. Even relatively well-intentioned people are usually insufferable. To say nothing of power politics, purposefully toxic environments, etc. Politeness is the lubricant of social relationships, but rudeness is a powerful signaler. I am normally polite, but unafraid to be rude or aggressive when politeness fails. Most often, rudeness indicates some portion of the social contract has not been upheld (treat me fairly, and I shall do so). Is it wrong for an employee to be rude to someone who is secretly undermining them? To a boss whose using them? Rudeness is simply a social signal. I think it is more stressful to be polite all the time. I could write a book on the crazy shs I've had to work with.