‘Not muting during a conference’ is rude

‘Checking emails while in a meeting’ among other things is considered professionally rude according to a study

Some things never change, going by an international research titled ‘The New Rude’ from communications experts Pitney Bowes. Even in this digital age some old-fashioned values are still held in high regard. Pitney Bowes has revealed that actions like ‘Not meeting somebody’s eye during a handshake’ or ‘Checking mails/phones while talking’ are considered rude and unprofessional in most parts of the world.

‘Not muting during conference’ takes the highest priority as the ‘New Rude’ in India with 43% of the respondents saying that people should always mute background noises while on a professional conference call. Coming in close second is ‘Not looking somebody in eye during handshake’ with 39% of the Indian respondents saying that it is extremely offensive to look away while greeting someone with a handshake. 33% of Indians feel that ‘Checking emails while in a meeting’ is also not socially acceptable and considered professionally rude.

When it comes to other countries ‘Not meeting somebody’s eye during a handshake’ takes the highest priority in the ‘New Rude’ survey with an average of 55% of respondents voting for the same. ‘Not muting during conference’ comes in a close second with an average of 51% respondents voting for the same.

This survey is an indication that even though communicating digitally may be quick and easy; this shouldn’t open the door to offensive behaviour. People all over the world still give extremely high regard to basic standards of professionalism, says Pitney Bowes.

There are few more things which are considered as rude like, checking texts during business lunch, texting whilst walking in public place, emailing somebody at the next desk, continuing email chain rather than picking up phone etc.