Describing a person as ‘rough’

Rough, rough around the edges - unpolished.

Doesn't behave or dress appropriately for the scenario, shouts, swears, aggressive, doesn't value arts or education.

In my disadvantaged area I am not rough despite being a single parent, I earn well for my area and I value education, I never shout or swear, I know how to dress and behave in the places I visit.

If I was associating with aristocrats I probably would be considered rough, single parent living on a council estate, degrees from non-RG and OU. I wouldn't have a clue about the unspoken societal rules they have and are innate to them, I am not well travelled, ever been skiing or horse riding, never been to polo or other upper class places. So would be unpolished in that setting

I don't think the area I live in as rough, I've never had any real issues and would happily walk around in the dark but I got picked up by someone from work for an evening out and they locked their car door whilst being parked. I would do the same in what I consider the rougher area in the nearby seaside town so it's relative to you.

Rough has more than one meaning. It can mean uncivilised/common, but it can also mean ugly.

It probably means different things to different people. I would use 'rough' to describe someone who gets aggressive easily, whether that's shouting or physical aggression.

Using 'rough' to describe someone nice but lower class, sounds rude and snobby to me.

In the words of Chubby Brown
They fart, sick cocks, are riddled with pox and basically a cunt.

Very middle class job respected etc I'm very middle class, my kids are etc my ex husband was I worked hard go get to where I am I've bought my husband out etc going through divorce. Now my bf I met him going through the separation and tbh I was down. I met him and he was different and it attracted me. It doesn't now and I need to work out things such as getting rid or working on. So I would describe him as rough. Prison bad upbringing swears in every sentence literally and wont stop. Shouts, doesn't listen, iv found a needle in his draw he had a bag of coke delivered other day whilst I was in with kids my daughter noticed it and asked who he was talking to. He ushered in kitchen I followed he put a hammer in draw. Anyways full of cocaine. So I washed it. Not said anything since but inside I want rid but again he's a big bloke has anger issues and is controlling so yano this rough bloke could hurt me so I have to be careful but yes that's rough

It’s a badgers bum here!

Or you hang around with a lot of rough people?

There's loads of rough women in my town centre. Rough to me means loud, sweary, likely to beat you up if you look at them wrong.

I don't think it's offensive if used to describe behaviour which is rough.

Using it to describe someone based on what they wear or their appearence could be rude and classist.

My neighbours are rough. They thought setting their big loud fireworks off in the middle of the street rather than their garden was a good idea . It’s a cul de sac so they were very close to cars etc and had to move when their takeaway turned up !

Next time someone says it OP, ask them what they mean? Oh, and avoid Eric and Sandra..

I love how these answers run the full gamut from "eating in the street" to "openly dealing drugs"
Clearly milage may vary!

If I heard someone described as rough I would assume they are working class and know how to fight.

Hate it, some of the nicest, most honest people I know have been described as 'rough' while some of the most polite, smooth talking people i know are slimy, creepy AF boot lickers 🤮

No airs and graces - wouldn’t think twice about having a blazing row in the street & would tell anyone who was looking at them to f-off.

My mother often says how lovely people are but their family are a bit rough, so I suppose a bit of a chaotic home environment.

It means lower social class, not afraid to speak her mind and perhaps might have a reputation. Its not a word i’ve used for many years but I have used it before in my youth.

I always took it to mean prone to violence/aggressive.

You win. First one to mention tattoos and piercings

The area I live in is most definitely rough and although I haven't been described as rough (to my face at least!) I have been called unkempt in appearance. When I think of rough type of people I am referring to the drug addicts and street drinkers that frequent my area (near city centre). My actual neighbours are fine and not remotely scary or rough. To me it means loud, obnoxious and rude. Also chaotic lifestyle.

I think of Rab C Nesbitt

It's only offensive if you say it to their face

Hmmm

Members of the middle & upper classes never get referred to as rough. So whilst you're all talking around it, yes it's very much rooted in class & snobby af

Jeremy Kyle’s guests were always rough as fuck. There’s your stereotype.

See, I do all of those. But only in the privacy of my own home!

And 'rough trade' is what men called a male prostitute who, ahem, liked to give ( presumably roughly) rather than receive.

Before it became a record label.

I think the full saying is 'rough as a bear's arse'.

It's what was referred to in times of yore as chavvy, or what my mum would call 'common'.