What is the difference between rudeness, pushiness and bullying?

[ready123go]

A couple of recent threads (along with some personal events) got me thinking about how other people might see these types of behavior.

What do you think the difference is between these definitions? Is there a difference?

 

[sam_gordon]

A couple of recent threads (along with some personal events) got me thinking about how other people might see these types of behavior.

What do you think the difference is between these definitions? Is there a difference?

Yes, I think there is a difference, but I don't know that I can put the difference into words. I'll know it when I see it.

 

[shoney]

That is difficult. I guess at first glance...

Rudeness implies disrespect and/or lack of manners (or perceived that way). Not holding a door for someone. Ignoring a "thank you"

Pushiness is putting your own agenda ahead of someone else's, not taking "no" for an answer, continually trying to persuade someone to say or do something.

Bullying implies that the bullier thinks he or she is above the other person. They put down the other person using words and/or violence.

They all overlap, though. You can be a pushy, rude, bully!!!!

 

[CPanther95]

It's like porn - it's hard to define, but I know it when I see it.

I do know that the most damaging bullying usually involves a lot of other people (aside from the primary bully and victim) that either witness and do nothing - or join in just because they don't want to end up on the wrong side of it.

 

[pryncess527]

That is difficult. I guess at first glance...

Rudeness implies disrespect and/or lack of manners (or perceived that way). Not holding a door for someone. Ignoring a "thank you"

Pushiness is putting your own agenda ahead of someone else's, not taking "no" for an answer, continually trying to persuade someone to say or do something.

Bullying implies that the bullier thinks he or she is above the other person. They put down the other person using words and/or violence.

They all overlap, though. You can be a pushy, rude, bully!!!!

I think this sums it up nicely

 

[PigletsPal2]

That is difficult. I guess at first glance...

Rudeness implies disrespect and/or lack of manners (or perceived that way). Not holding a door for someone. Ignoring a "thank you"

Pushiness is putting your own agenda ahead of someone else's, not taking "no" for an answer, continually trying to persuade someone to say or do something.

Bullying implies that the bullier thinks he or she is above the other person. They put down the other person using words and/or violence.

They all overlap, though. You can be a pushy, rude, bully!!!!

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Queen Colleen

 

[MickeySP]

Rudeness is disrespect, lack of manners

Pushy is not taking no, and continuing to be narcissistic

Bullying is a consistent pattern of intimidation to bolster your own ego. Of the 3 this one implies a consistent target.

Just my opinion.

 

[ready123go]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Allison]

I think the word bully is overused and it bothers me because it takes away from the serious issue of real bullying.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, I'll bite!

Rudeness: Only seeing one's self, and one's desires/convenience with lack of respect for others... (ie: letting kids be loud and annoying in public place)
Pushiness: Actually imposing one's self and ones wishes on others. Not just refusing to be respectful. (cutting in line, etc..)
Bullying/Bossiness: Actually taking steps to cause others to do what one thinks they should because of one's own desires/wishes. Actually crossing all acceptable personal boundaries and taking actions to cause others to feel like they are obligated to do what one wants them to do.. behave how one wants them behave.. With the end result that one gets what they want. (Sometimes that can be as simple as wanting to establish control and to dominate and disparage and embarass the other person/people. Sometimes the satisfaction, ego-trip, and entertainment are the only thing that the bossy or bully wants/needs.)

I see it as kind of a level of degrees.. Like a sliding scale.
Rudeness is RUDE.
Pushiness is PUSHY AND RUDE.
Bullying is RUDE, PUSHY AND BEING A BOSSY/BULLY

 

[littleblackegg]

I think rudeness is a behavioral habit, and involves ignorance of the needs and feelings of other people and a lack of participation in cultural/social norms. Rudeness has a cultural component. What is seen as rude in one culture may not be rude in another.
Pushiness is more about selfishness. Pushy people put their own needs, projects and agendas before all others, even members of their family. Pushiness has a strong personality component. Pushy people feel strongly about winning, being first, and competing.
Bullying has a strong edge of cruelty and sadism. Bullies take pleasure in causing targets to suffer, and in convincing others to participate in the bullying. Bullies use the rush of neurotransmitters they get from harming or upsetting another person to cover their own feelings of inadequacy.

 

[cijay]

I think "rude" is the umbrella term. Pushiness is a form of bullying as it's a form of insecurity and power-seeking. Bullying is more serious, it goes with tormenting and threats. If I'm in a line and they're pushing me or someone is getting obnoxious to get me to do something, I can walk away, tell them to stop etc. It becomes bullying when they don't stop, threaten, belittle or recruit others to do the same.

 

[phorsenuf]

I think the word bully is overused and it bothers me because it takes away from the serious issue of real bullying.

I wish I could like this more then once! I completely agree!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ignoring someone else, or their requests = rude.
Telling someone else what to do or what to like = pushiness.
Forcing others to do things against their will = bullying.

 

[ready123go]

I think the word bully is overused and it bothers me because it takes away from the serious issue of real bullying.

@Allison , could you define real bullying?