Inappropriate Cell Phone Use #10 on Rudest Behaviors List

High-tech has cracked the top 10 in Johns Hopkins University's research into what us poor humans consider to be the rudest of behaviors. The full complaint: "Using cell phones or text messaging in mid-conversation or during an appointment or meeting." How rude is it? Just ask Rudy Giuliani!

Nonetheless, it's good to see that technology hasn't completely turned us into a nation of philistines. Nine other non-tech-related complaints beat inappropriate cell phone use as even ruder: Job discrimination, bad driving, littering, smoking in violation of posted signs, and able-bodied people parking in handicapped spaces. The study, a survey managed by the university and in conjunction with preliminary online polling that took place earlier this year, notes that it's misdeeds in the workplace that tend to bother us the most. Apparently when people in our family our rude to us, we just don't seem to mind that much.

While technology may only merit a sad #10 spot here, there are plenty of tech pet peeves I can think of that didn't make the list: Putting me on a speakerphone without my permission. Using a terrible VOIP connection to try to conduct business (and usually requiring multiple callbacks). Calling too early in the morning or too late in the evening. Wearing a Bluetooth headset in a social setting. And inundating me with calls, emails, and instant messages beyond what would be considered reasonable.

And that's just off the top of my head. What bad tech-related habits bother you the most? It's Friday, so you deserve to vent a little.

LINK: Workplace Misdeeds Top "Terrible Ten" Rude Behaviors List