DaveO -

I too noticed the researcher's report that:

Nine out of 10 people thought colleagues who answered messages during face-to-face meetings were rude, while three out of 10 believed it was not only acceptable, but a sign of diligence and efficiency.

While at first glance this appears to suggest that there are 12 people in this group of 10, some overlapping of the opinion groups apparently occured. At least 2, and perhaps all three of those who thought it "not only acceptable, but a sign of diligence and efficiency" must also have been part of the group that thought it was rude.

Note that the test subjects were Brits...


(although they're probably not the only ones who might think that being rude is an estimable behavio(u)r.)

John