Yes, it's rude and unprofessional and lacks simple decorum and plain manners.
Sad to say for one particular nationality, it's habitual.
and they seem to think it's OK..
C Blade, the sob stories are worst then that.
Sick mother/father
Sick Grandmother [they have 4 remember]
Sick Cat [s]
Sick Child [yes!]
Sick husband [s]