Are people rude or just oblivious?

Nothing at all wrong with stating that you made/make a different decision and giving your reasons - but there's absolutely no need to be so rude as to put down the other person's equally valid choice.

In general, using the word 'waste' when talking about somebody else's perfectly valid choice that differs from yours is deliberately disrespectful and going on the offence.

I mean, if they're saying that they like kicking puppies for fun, you very much should make it clear that your own choice not to do that is infinitely better; but when it's just a slightly different and neutral consumer choice or how you budget your annual leave, it's just stupid and pathetic to try to come across as superior.

It just sounds like you're woefully lacking in self-confidence If you feel you have to put somebody's choice of hair dryer down to make yourself feel good.

They aren't rude, just giving an opinion. If you are so sure of your decisions, then that's all that matters. You're too sensitive.

I agree OP.
It's rubbish. And annoying.
The people on here disagreeing with you also do this I think!
My SIL does.
Some good comebacks on here for you.
I say something like "Ah well it wouldn't do for us all to be the same."

Trouble is with social media everyone’s been given a platform to give their opinion. They get likes from those who think the same way so therefore feel validated. I think this has spilled over into real life

YABU and hearing things that weren't said.

There is nothing rude in either of the examples you have given.
It's called conversation.
It's fine for someone to express their opinion during a conversation.

If you really don't want to engage in conversation, you can use what has been suggested a few times on this thread, along lines of "Wouldn't life be boring if we were all the same?" and end the conversation. But you are being weird to think that other people you are chatting to can't put forward their thoughts in a conversation.

You are over sensitive. They are not being rude. They are simply guilty of main character lens. They said what they said because all they were thinking of is what they would do. They were not thinking of you at all when they said what they said

It is rude and a put down. I have a ex friend that used to do this all the time. Nothing I did was ever right. She criticised everything.

I am Scottish. Is that influencing my stance on it being just a random opinion that would have no impact on me?

@Differentstarts

I'd never pay that seems to be the quote I am looking for rather than I wouldn't pay that.

I thought they were close enough but I was obviously not precise. My apologies.

I think both comments are rude AND people are often thoughtless and insensitive.

Criticising someone's choices to their face is rude in my opinion - unless you can make it funny - "I have to take all my Christmas off because work don't like it when I answer the phone drunk".

If you asked 'should I take all my leave at Christmas?", that would be different but you didn't.

Reminds me of the woman at the garage who told DH and me that it would have cost £50 if we'd brought the car in when it first started rattling but now the part was broken, it'll be £350. We both just stared silently at her as she giggled.

@Differentstarts

Exactly

But why would you give your opinion on something that has already happened and you wasn't asked it would of been different if op had said I'm thinking of getting one then absolutely say you can get similar cheaper their really not worth the cost but op already has it so either say something nice or nothing at all

It is rude, she didn't ask for their advice and then didn't ask for their opinion. And why would she be embarrassed about the air wrap, its her choice what she spends her money on!!

Direct, maybe blunt, but reasonable opinions.

Agree about the difference between the north and south of England.

She didn't say i wouldn't pay that she said i wouldn't waste my money when you can get the same cheaper after op already has it.

Of course it's rude, and comes across as a bit passive aggressive. Some people get their sense of worth through doing things like that so rather than just saying oh that's lovely or whatever, they have to get a dig in.

I don't think its people being oblivious at all.

How would it make you feel bad if someone says 'I wouldn't pay that' for an item? You choose your feelings. I don't understand why someone saying something as innocuous as that has you in such a tailspin that you're posting here.

@imtoo
they asked you a question and you answered, they then followed up your answer, perhaps bluntly, but is this not called having a conversation?
I admit I am quite blunt, but I am also self aware, so I might have said, I can’t see me every affording an air wrap then you would have the opportunity to say it was a gift.
You probably would think me rude but I would not want to upset anyone and certainly don’t think everyone should be like me, God forbid 😂

This isn’t new, people have always done this.
They were rude I think. Don't ask someone a question and then criticise their choice. Completely different if someone is asking for an opinion. So asking the hairdresser would you recommend an Airwrap? Is completely different.
It’s not unusual though op.
Quite frankly I don’t give a damn when anyone else takes their annual leave, why should I?

I'm with you OP, when you're just sharing something with someone (especially if they've asked) it's just rude to then talk negatively about it.

It's not about not being allowed an opinion, its about not sharing it all the time when no one asked for it!

This. Totally agree.

@TheClawDecides it’s absolutely rude to offer an opinion when you haven’t been asked for it, particularly when it’s meant to be idle chitchat like with a hairdresser or colleague. Not everyone wants a debate every time they open their mouths (again, fully aware of the irony here!)

👏👏👏 this 100%