Is It Rude to Shush Someone? [9 Polite Ways to Do It]

When someone adds something irrelevant to a conversation, you may be tempted to shush them. However, is this a smart move?

Some consider it rude. It’s worth looking into whether it’s rude to shush someone before you do so. That’s where we come in to help.

Is It Rude to Shush Someone?

It is rude to shush someone. Generally, shushing someone implies they have nothing important, valid, or relevant to add to a conversation. It’s a dismissive way to get someone to shut up without using any words. Most people will take offense.

It is not okay to shush someone. You should try to avoid doing so, even when someone starts getting on your nerves.

You can always tell someone they are annoying you, but shushing creates a different problem.

When someone tells you to shush, they don’t want to hear from you. It’s a rude way to say that you’re irrelevant and invalid at this time.

Above all else, it’s disrespectful. People tend to do it when they think they have something more valuable to add than another party.

And yes, “shush” is synonymous with “shut up.” It tells people you don’t want to hear them say anything else.

9 Polite Ways to Shush Someone

Luckily, shushing people isn’t the only way to get them to be quiet. You have other options. It’s worth exploring them, so you don’t offend or disrespect people for no reason.

Feel free to use any of the following polite synonyms:

• Sorry, but do you mind keeping it down?
• Excuse me, could you please keep your voice down?
• Please keep it down for now!
• Would you mind speaking more quietly?
• Is it okay if you stay out of this conversation, please?
• Could you please tone it down a little?
• Please let us have a quieter environment
• I would appreciate it if you spoke in a hushed tone
• I’m afraid now is not the time to provide your input

Keep reading to learn how to ask someone to shush without being rude. We’ve also provided text and verbal examples showing you how to write “shh.”

1. Sorry, but Do You Mind Keeping It Down?

You can use “sorry, but do you mind keeping it down?” to politely tell someone to stop talking. Or, at the very least, ask them to be quieter when speaking.

This is a great way to remove the unnecessary rudeness of a shush. Instead, it ensures that someone understands you and learns why you’d like them to be quiet.

After all, they might not realize you need them to be quiet. It’s best to approach the situation openly and honestly to let them know they’re being too loud.

Here are some examples if you’re still unsure:

• Sorry, but do you mind keeping it down? I appreciate that it may not be easy, but you’d be doing me a big favor.
• Sorry, but do you mind keeping it down? I’d be grateful if you let us focus on our work for a while.

2. Excuse Me, Could You Please Keep Your Voice Down?

Next, you can try “excuse me, could you please keep your voice down?” It’s a very polite and respectful way to let someone know they need to be quiet.

You can’t go wrong with a phrase like this when trying to politely tell someone they are too loud. It keeps things friendly and honest, ensuring you don’t hurt their feelings when you tell them off.

We recommend using it when asking students to calm down. It shows you know them well enough to treat them respectfully, but you still need them to be quiet.

Perhaps the following examples can also help you:

• Excuse me, could you please keep your voice down? I wouldn’t normally ask, but you’re really distracting.
• Excuse me, could you please keep your voice down? We’re trying to focus on something in the next room over.

3. Please Keep It Down for Now!

Try “please keep it down for now!” for a more direct alternative. The key to making this phrase more polite comes from including “for now.”

In itself, “please keep it down” is rude. It shows you don’t want to tolerate someone’s words and think they add nothing of value.

Adding “for now” to the phrase shows you’d appreciate a brief moment of quiet. This should remind someone they need to shush without directly telling them to shut up forever.

Here are some examples to help you with it:

• I’m happy for you to be here with us, but please keep it down for now! We’re trying to discuss this amongst ourselves first.
• Please keep it down for now! So far, we’re not asking for outside input to help us solve this issue.

4. Would You Mind Speaking More Quietly?

In situations where you need to focus, try “would you mind speaking more quietly?” It doesn’t directly tell someone to shut up but asks them to speak softly.

Sometimes, softer speaking is all it takes. It means you can tune out someone’s words when they speak and don’t have to focus on what they’re trying to say.

Instead, you can focus on the more pressing meeting that might be taking place.

Feel free to refer to these examples if you’re still stumped:

• Would you mind speaking more quietly? This isn’t the time to be loud and proud, as it’s only distracting us!
• Would you mind speaking more quietly? We’re trying to discuss things here, and you keep making those noises.

5. Is It Okay if You Stay Out of This Conversation, Please?

Feel free to ask “is it okay if you stay out of this conversation, please?” It shows you how to politely shush someone without trying to hurt their feelings.

We recommend using this because it shows that a conversation doesn’t concern them. There’s nothing wrong with telling someone to keep out of your business if this is the case.

You can also review these examples:

• Is it okay if you stay out of this conversation, please? I know you’re trying to help, but it’s not working.
• Is it okay if you stay out of this conversation, please? You aren’t helping us move forward at the moment.

6. Could You Please Tone It Down a Little?

Sometimes, you might need to shush someone over text. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re directly telling them to be quiet. Instead, it asks that they refrain from distracting you.

You can include “could you please tone it down a little?” in text messages. It shows you how to make someone shush over text with few complications.

We recommend it because it remains polite and honest. It shows someone that they need to calm down and stop trying to interfere with you or a discussion.

The following message samples should also help you:

• While I appreciate what you’re trying to do, could you please tone it down a little? You’re not helping things.
• Could you please tone it down a little? We’re not really sure whether it’s good to include you in these discussions.

7. Please Let Us Have a Quieter Environment

You can try using “please let us have a quieter environment” as well. It’s a great way to shush someone when you don’t want them to completely shut up, but you could use a quieter tone.

Generally, this is polite and civil. It shows you don’t want to upset or offend anyone who might be louder than they should be.

It also helps you to keep things quite formal between yourself and the loud party.

These examples will also help you:

• Please let us have a quieter environment while we discuss this. It’s nothing against you, but you’re being very loud.
• Please let us have a quieter environment, Sally. We’re trying to figure out how to move forward.

8. I Would Appreciate It if You Spoke in a Hushed Tone

“I would appreciate it if you spoke in a hushed tone” is a subtle way to ask for quiet. It shows you’d prefer it if someone didn’t speak as loudly.

We recommend using this when talking to employees. It shows you do not appreciate that they’re being quite loud (maybe while they’re supposed to be focusing on work).

These examples should also help you with it:

• I would appreciate it if you spoke in a hushed tone. There’s really no need for you to be that loud right now.
• Look, I would appreciate it if you spoke in a hushed tone. We’re trying to figure out our next options.

9. I’m Afraid Now Is Not the Time to Provide Your Input

In text messages, it can be tricky to know exactly how to shush someone. After all, they aren’t actually making any noise; they are just sending you messages.

That’s where “I’m afraid now is not the time to provide your input” comes in.

It’s polite yet honest. It shows you do not appreciate someone for butting into your conversation. This works well in text messages because it shows you’re not happy in a less formal way.

You can also review these text message examples:

• I’m afraid now is not the time to provide your input, Joe. I’ll let you know when I need something from you.
• Oh, I’m afraid now is not the time to provide your input. I hope you can understand that, though.