ALERT! Rudeness is 'contagious' at workplace

A new study has claimed that rudeness at workplace is not only unpleasant, it is also 'contagious'.

According to UF's Warrington College of Business Administration, facing rude behavior at work makes people more likely to grasp rudeness in later intercommunications.

Trevor Foulk, a doctoral student has said that when they experience rudeness, it makes rudeness more noticeable and they will experience more rudeness if it's not there.

Foulk said that, part of the problem is that they are generally tolerant of these behaviors, but they're actually really harmful.

The study followed 90 graduate students practicing negotiation with classmates. Those who rated their initial negotiation partner as rude were more likely to be rated as rude by a subsequent partner, showing that they passed along the first partner's rudeness. Rudeness directed at others can also prime our brains to detect discourtesy.

Just like those who experience rudeness firsthand, people who witness it were more likely to be rude to others. It means rudeness will flavor the way you interpret ambiguous cues. Rudeness also has a negative effect on performance.

The study is published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.