[bezoar]

Rudest person I ever met?  How about a 911 operator who hung up on me?

[Claire]

Bezoar, that's truly terrible! Also imagine being hung up on by a double glazing sales man. Is that possible without being rude yourself?

[Donnah]

Well Nancy, at least you got through on 911.  Last time I called to report an accident I was put on hold!

[bezoar]

I guess that answers how effective the 911 number is.  I did make another call to report a car on fire.  The phone rang for 12 minutes before anyone answered.

[OmnipotentOne]

The rudest people ive met were in Canada, must have been an off day because I swear all of them were giving me glares!  I was visiting some of my relatives up there, and we took a day trip to umm Leron(sp?) theme park.  I was at the mcdonalds in the park and I wasnt eating at the moment and some older guy made a remark about how I should leave if I'm not eating.  there pennies are really shiney though!

To see a world in a grain of sand.

[chris]

The rudest people I've ever met are the self-important jumped up little oiks who work as US CUSTOMS OFFICERS !

"do you mind, SIR (which fake emphasis), you're nearly 0.25mm over the yellow line. Would you mind moving back."

"Well, actually, my luggage is very heavy and as you are currently looking at my documents I don't think it makes that much difference does it?"

"I'm sorry (with fake respect)"

"Don't be sorry, I quite understand"

"No, SIR, I've asked you to move back"..."And you've failed to fill in this box on the immigration form that specifically asks how many peas you had with your lunch on the plane - can you go back, complete the form, and STAND IN LINE again once you're done"



"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[tweener]

That sounds like bureaucratic functionaries anywhere.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[RE.Craig]

Not wanting to cause a war on here or anything (so light banter only please! []) But i just wondered which country you have visited and felt the people were really rude.

I'm afraid my prize goes to Austria... maybe it was a one off bad experience...

If we get repetitions from people then maybe we can have a league table lol! [] ( i have to say though, that i find a lot of english people quite rude as well!)

I have travelled throughout most of Europe. I found with the exception of Romania and Hungary that most east European folk could be regarded as rude. In western / northern Europe the Poles, French and English are extremely rude.
The Germans are the politest and the Scottish and Irish are the friendliest.
In the Mediterranean most people seem to have the same happy go lucky attitude no matter what flag they live under. Americans are very amiable. But the people and country I love most are the Indians and India.