Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pet Peeves

Pet Peeves. I'm pretty sure we all have them, those things that just annoy the daylights out of us. While driving home from a trip to Texas a few days ago, this topic popped into my head as a possible blog topic when I witnessed one of the following pet peeves. So, here's my top ten list, in no particular order.

1. When you're in a traffic jam, and people drive up the emergency lane to get to an exit because they think their time is so much more valuable than that of everyone in front of them. Yep, this was the impetus for this blog topic. It's an EMERGENCY lane, people. If you're having a baby or a heart attack, fine, use it. If you're just too impatient to wait your turn, don't.

2. People who throw their garbage out of their car windows. What, you can't wait until you get to the next gas station where they have this miraculous thing called...wait for it... a trash can?

3. Apologies to any smokers out there, but I hate it when smokers stand right next to the doorway of a building they can't smoke in so that I (who am allergic to smoke) have to walk right through the smoke cloud.

4. Hypocrisy, of any stripe.

5. People who talk on their cell phones at the movie theater. Seriously? Go to the lobby if you absolutely must talk to someone. I've paid a gazillion dollars to actually come to the movie theater to see a movie.

6. Drivers who text while driving and nearly crash into my car.

7. People who stand too close to me while we're having a conversation. Personal space, I likes it.

8. Misspellings on signs for businesses or on mailboxes. Most of the time, misplaced apostrophes are the culprits.

9. The rampant sense of entitlement. Really, the world doesn't own us anything, especially if we're lazy.

10. Drivers who take up two parking spaces like their cars are so much more important than all the others in the parking lot. If you're going to do this, at least go to the back of the parking lot to take up more than your share of the space.

Now it's your turn. What are your biggest pet peeves?

57 comments:

Louisa Cornell said...

Is it me? The GR is definitely a pet. Not sure about the PEEVE part !!

Some of your pet peeves are DEFINITELY mine!!

1. I despise the sense of entitlement so many people feel. If you want something work for it, whether it is respect or the food on your table. The world doesn't owe any of us anything.

2. People who have cell phone conversations in restaurants, theaters or at the counter of a deli or bakery. You are standing in line taking up space. Hang up and order or get out of line. And we don't really care what your girlfriend/boyfriend said or did to tick you off!

3. People who dress inappropriately for any venture into the public. I do NOT need to know what color thong you are wearing nor do I want to see your boxers. And just because they make it in your size does NOT mean you need to wear it.

4. People who wear cologne that enters the room / space 15 minutes before they do and stays 15 minutes after they leave!

5. People who INSIST that I embrace all forms of technology and that if I don't I am simply an old fuddy duddy or worse just too stupid to live.

6. People who drive and - smoke, text, eat, drink or put on makeup. PULL OVER and take care of that stuff!

7. People who complain about the government and the state of the country and don't vote. If you don't vote you can't complain!

8. People who put down romance as "sex books" for frustrated housewives or women too ugly to get a man. Those sorts of remarks show a great deal of ignorance and are probably made by someone who last read the back of a cereal box.

9. People who make clothes for women and expect anyone over a size ten to be perfectly happy wearing ugly, shapeless clothes in loud awful colors.

10. People who pass judgment on others based on their job, their home, their income, the condition of their teeth, their ancestry or anything else that is NOT the content of their heart. I view people according to the way they treat others, by their concern for others - human and animals and by the honesty of their emotions. Everything else is superficial.

Landra said...

Congrats on the GR Lousia! Enjoy him.

Pet Peeves- ooh I have lots of them.

1. Anyone who dismisses or treats others without respect. Damnit I'm an adult treat me like one. Wave that hand to shoo me away and I'll break it off!

2. People who call you on your cell phone repeatedly when you have made it plainly aware you are in a theater, restaurant, store, or anywhere else you would rather not air your conversation at.

3. Clothing designers that think I really want to wear a clothes that don't let my body breath and shorts that would make Daisey Duke cringe.

4. Kids that are not disciplined in any way shape or form and the parents that just smile and act like their heathen children are angels.

5. Rude customer service representatives. Customer service is supposed to include being cordial, even when you don't want to be. If you're nice to me, I 'll be nice to you!

6. Overbearing men who constantly act our double standards in which they are entitled but their spouses are not.

7. Those who complain about their weight or physical features incessantly (and I mean every cotton pickin' day) but then refuse to do anything about it. If you're going to complain don't complain to me.

8. People who have no self respect for themselves or others.

9. Liars- despise them, especially when I know their lying.

10. The people that can't drive! I meet a lot of them. They mainly include the people who do not use signal lights. For gosh sakes just click on the light and let someone know your merging before you have collison!

Maureen said...

Oh, so many, but I'll only list this one. People in line at Starbucks, who wait with you for several minutes and then when they get to the cashier, don't know what they want to order.

Usually this is the person in front of me. (And occurs no matter where I am in line.)

Or they pull out a list with twelve drinks on it...in no particular order and are uncertain what they wrote and use their cell phone to double check back at the office...

I really believe Gru had the right idea with his freeze ray and oh! How many times I have wished for such a gun...at such a time.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Louisa got the GR!

Trish, great list! I suspect all the lists are going to be great!

Actually a longstanding pet peeve of mine is persistent unpunctuality. It comes back to that entitlement thing - obviously the time of those people is so much more important than my time waiting for them! Grrrrr!

Donna MacMeans said...

Louisa - I do hope the GR doesn't make your list of peeves. He can be annoying at times. Actually I so agree with your list and Slush's that I have only one item to add.

I particularly hate when a parent is so intent on their cellphone converstion that they ignore the child who is acting out for their attention and then scream at the child to stop their whine. Makes you wonder sometimes why they even had children in the first place.

Ahhhh...now I feel better....

Fedora said...

LOL! Just wanted to say amen, Banditas and buddies! Sing it! So many peeves--it's good to unload those and know we're in good company!

Enjoy that pet, Louisa ;)

Helen said...

Well done Louisa you had better hide those car keys you know how he likes to drive around in it when he is at your place LOL

Trish

Well said I have to agree with you on your peeves and all that everyone has already listed. A big one with me is the way people don't respect each other and their views we are all individuals

Have Fun
Helen

MJFredrick said...

I admit to being a bit nervous reading this list, since you came back from visiting ME. I thought it would include:

People who insist on having sweets in the house when they know I'm dieting.

People who insist on stopping at the bakery when they know I'm dieting.

You know, stuff like that :)

Y'all have a lot of mine covered. Maureen cracked me up with the Starbucks line, though!

Anna Sugden said...

Ah - great post and comments so far! It's good to see we're sisters (and brothers) under the skin. All of those really get me hot under the collar - entitlement especially. I remember reading a Bill Gates speech to a graduating class - probably apocryphal - that summed it up perfectly. Actually just looked it up and it is by an educator called Charles Sykes, even though it was credited to Gates.

I also can't abide rude people. Having just got back from the post office I had my usual dose of people who seem to forget that it's polite to say thank you when someone lets you out in traffic. Come on people, it takes but a second to raise a hand or nod, or even just smile! Grrr!

Whiners irritate me too - the ones who do nothing but whine and never help themselves or seek help. We all have bad days and want to whine, but most of us do something about it after the whining session!

My latest peeve is interviewers on radio/TV who keep interrupting someone before they've finished speaking. You asked, now bloody listen! Even worse, those who feel they have to be antagonistic about everything. And, rudeness seems endemic - it's President Obama or Mr Obama, not Obama.

Celebrities who think they are better than the rest of us, especially those who are only famous because of reality shows ... and the media who thinks we're interested in the smallest details of their lives. I'm all for gossip about the real celebs, but the rest can just get on with their lives without me ... please!

Final beef - people who inflict their beliefs on me or think I'm a bad person because I don't follow their beliefs and even worse, those who don't respect my beliefs. Don't get me started on those who don't respect my country but are happy to take everything it offers!

Terri Osburn said...

AMEN!!! Agree with this entire list. Can't tell you how often I'm driving and yell out, "Really? You're that damn important??" Though there are usually other profane words added in and around.

I too am allergic to cigarette smoke. Hate when I have to hold my breath to get into a building. And it's worse when the person stands outside in the cold, then blows out the last puff of smoke while passing through the doorway to hurry back in. Gah! I hate that.

Susan Sey said...

Oh, Trish, bless you for mentioning the driving on the shoulder thing, as I believe it's a kissing cousin to my pet peeve: when we're instructed to merge & both lanes are peacefully taking turns. Except the guy who thinks his time is so much more valuable than the rest of ours so he zooms up to the head of the line & jams himself in.

Grrrrrrr.....

Jenn3128 said...

I second & third all the other comments and have my two new ones to add to the growing list!

1) Husband leaves his dirty clothes on the floor right next to the hamper. GRRRR

2) Lack of shopping cart etiquette. Do not push that cart into the back of my legs while we are waiting in the checkout line.

Trish Milburn said...

Louisa, can I just say amen to your list? :) I wanted to literally yell out "Yes!" when I got to your number 9.

Slush, another good list. I was nodding to your number 4. I wonder how that whole "let your kids do whatever without disciplining them" thing got started.

Trish Milburn said...

Maureen, oh that is annoying. I seem to get behind these people in drive-through lines at restaurants. You know, they sit in line and then get to the order speaker and then have to ask everyone in the car what they want. Grrr.

Trish Milburn said...

Anna, great one to add to our growing list. I'm a get there early type of person, so it's annoying when someone is late and doesn't think it's a big deal.

Trish Milburn said...

Donna, I so agree with you. I've seen kids treated terribly by parents in stores when it's the parent who needs to be disciplined. Several years ago, I even confronted a woman because I was concerned with her anger and how she was treating her daughter. She just berated her all through the K-Mart store, then jerked her by the hair of her head when they got outside. I told her I thought she needed to calm down, which was a big deal because I mostly mind my own business. But I was afraid of her getting in her car and getting in an accident with that kid. Well, you can imagine what she said to me, and before I could do anything like contact the police, she was gone. This was before we all had cell phones and could call easily.

Trish Milburn said...

Helen, that's one I don't understand. Why do people believe that everyone has to believe like they do? This actually feeds into another pet peeve of mine that I didn't put on the list -- book banning. Seriously? If a person doesn't like a book, don't read it. Don't tell everyone else they can't read it either.

Trish Milburn said...

MJ, LOL. Hey, it was your house; you can have whatever you want in it. That pastry at the bakery was yummy. And I did exercise some last week, so I only ended up gaining a pound and am already shedding a bit of that pound off.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Well everyone else didn't leave me with much to say..kinda covered all of my peeves plus a few others.

Trish Milburn said...

Anna S., I'm right there with you with the rude people and whiners. I will say that sometimes when I've held a door open for someone and they don't even acknowledge it, I still sometimes say, "You're welcome" anyway. Hee hee. :)

And the whiners. Oh, don't get me started. (Does this post count as me whining? Hmmm....)

Trish Milburn said...

Terri, I had to chuckle at your response to the rude drivers. Have to admit my vocabulary gets interesting in those situations too.

Trish Milburn said...

Susan, yes! That p*&%es me off too. I love when the truckers pull over in the other lane and block those people.

Trish Milburn said...

Jenn, ugh, the shopping cart into the back of the legs sounds painful. And that reminds me of another pet peeve -- people who leave the shopping carts just out in the parking lot without putting them in those cart corrals. This is how people end up with dents and scratches on their cars, from rolling carts.

Trish Milburn said...

Dianna, does seem like we're sharing a lot of pet peeves, doesn't it? Maybe we should start the Pet Peeve Police and hand out tickets for rudeness and whining. :)

CrystalGB said...

My pet peeves are:
Drivers who don't use turn signals.
Family members who leave trash on the counter instead of putting it in the trash can.
Family members who put an empty containers back in the fridge or cabinet.
People who take forever to write a check at the register.
People who think it is ok to stop in the middle of aisle of the grocery store to have chat.

Trish Milburn said...

Crystal, yes to that last one on your list. There have been times where it would have been kind of funny to have a horn on my shopping cart. :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Trish,

So judging by some of your pet peeves, I'd have to guess it was a heck of a drive home, huh? :)

I'm with Anna C on one of my very, very pet peeves. Punctuality or the persistent lack thereof! In particular those people with whom I work or to whom I am related.

The first group because they are told the day they hire on what time report is to take place. Yes, the off-going shift will be there for another 20 minutes without incurring overtime, but if they're done with their work and have given report, they can head home to get their children off to school, or beat the traffic after a long night shift, or get home to have dinner with their family after a long day shift.

I'm so anal about this, that if it's 10 minutes into the report time and I'm not there, I've either had an accident or don't realize I'm supposed to be there. (This has happened twice this year, the first time in nearly 20, because I haven't been using my dayplanner. Guess who has her dayplanner filled out for the next month!!!)

The second group of people being late, family members, irritates me because dang it, they KNOW how I feel about being late and those people who think their time is more important than mine!!

Trish Milburn said...

Suz, it is frustrating when someone else's lack of punctuality impacts others. Even more so when they don't even bother to apologize or don't think it's any big deal.

Anonymous said...

Hi Trish:

I agree with everything everyone's posted so far. :o)

I'll add a few more...

1. Freebies. The polite thing to do is take ONE. I can't stand it when people get grabby just because it's free.

2. Children running wild in a restaurant and ruining everyone's meal.

3. People not adhering to dresscodes or wearing flipflops in a nice restaurant. If I'm paying $$$ to take someone to dinner, I don't want to see a woman in flipflops and a tank top.

4. People walking past items that have fallen on the floor at the grocery store. Pick it up!

5. Cashiers who don't know how to count change. I guess they don't teach that in school anymore.

Have a great day! Congrats, Louisa.

Pink

Cassondra said...

Wooot! Louisa!

The feathered one knows a good place to be when he sees it!

Cassondra said...

Louisa said

People who pass judgment on others based on their job, their home, their income, the condition of their teeth, their ancestry or anything else that is NOT the content of their heart. I view people according to the way they treat others, by their concern for others - human and animals and by the honesty of their emotions. Everything else is superficial.

So well said.

Better than I could have said it. In particular, I get aggravated at the group I call the "academic elite"--the very educated(of which group I could be considered a part, I suppose) --who make those assumptions about the belief systems and thought processes of those who are not as educated and are, perhaps, poor. Some of the smartest people I've ever known could not read. That's a shame in my world, but it didn't keep them from thinking deeply, being incredibly gifted and creative, hard working, loving, and a wonderful father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, and wanting the very best for their children and families.

The perspective might be different, but it's not "less."

Unknown said...

Okay pet peeves:

1) Cigarette butts thrown out of car windows. I understand if a person wants to smoke and have nothing against that, but like you, Trish,I don't want to breathe the smoke, and don't want to look at the ground all littered with cigarette butts everywhere I turn. I really do not get why people don't think their cigarette butts are litter.

2)Telemarketing on my freaking cell phone. This should be self-explanatory.

3)People who act as though I'm a dinosaur because I don't text, forget I've said I don't text, just assume that "everybody does" and text me anyway, then say, "but I texted you!" and don't understand why I didn't get their messages. Grrrrrrrr.

4) "That's not my job" mentality when they work at a place and I need help with something.

5) Entitlement mentality--yeah, that's a big one for me too.

6)News media which is unreliable because it's become all about the drama. As a former reporter, this makes me mad.

7)Snobbery in action. It brings out my Lady Godiva beyotch.

8) I second Louisa's "too much cologne" Pet Peeve.

Woops....I've gotten into the spirit of it and done too many. Trish, I think you hit me on just the right day for this. *sheepish grin*

Unknown said...

Oh, OH!

The one I hate the WORST!!!!

Boom cars. I want a death ray for people who think I should listen to THEIR music, whether I want to or not.

Look at ME! Look at ME! Look at ME!!!!!

Grrrrrrrr.

Steve has suggested vomit gas grenades for those cars, but so far I've been able to discourage this idea with the preference for not going to jail.

Trish Milburn said...

Jennifer, I had that thing with the cashier not being able to make change the other day. I gave her enough over so that she could give me an even amount back, and it confused her so much she said, "So how much do I owe you? I'm not good at math." Sigh.

Trish Milburn said...

Cassondra, when I was traveling last week, either in Arkansas or Texas I saw signs that said something to the effect of, "Your cigarette butts are litter."

And I'm so with you on the news thing. I too have a journalism degree and worked as a reporter for several years. It really is sad and a testament to how awful the "news" coverage has become that I rarely watch it. I just get angry and want to yell, "Did you people even go to journalism school?"

Trish Milburn said...

Cassondra, LOL! I love the term "boom cars." I knew what you meant as soon as I read it. And you know what's even worse? When they do that and have a craptacular sound system!

Pat Cochran said...

My word, we must all be long-lost
sisters! So many of the peeves listed
are the same as mine. In fact, I'll
not list any and just say "Ditto."

Pat Cochran

Trish Milburn said...

Pat, I think there are just things that are so common that annoy a lot of us. Makes me wonder why people still do these things when they annoy so many people.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ohhhh, Trish, I am right there with you! OMGosh.

The personal space thing? Arrrgh! I despise it when at the grocery store and you're putting in your PIN number for your debit card and teh next patron is lurking right there at your elbow. Grrrr. BACK OFF, buddy!

And the whole cell phone thing, as others have said.

And Louisa, my fellow Duchess! Amen, sister on the inappropriate dress. Please do NOT wear your pajamas to the grocery store.

And your number 7 - arrgh, so true. From RWA to USA, if you don't vote, you can't bitch.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Maureen, my sister! I'm always silently snickering, whilst in the Starbucks, waiting in line, thinkging about Gru and the freezeray. Gotta love Gru.

"Liiiiightbuuuulbb!"

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Anna S said: My latest peeve is interviewers on radio/TV who keep interrupting someone before they've finished speaking. You asked, now bloody listen! Even worse, those who feel they have to be antagonistic about everything. And, rudeness seems endemic - it's President Obama or Mr Obama, not Obama.

Wow, my hanky-waving-amen-hand is getting a workout!

YOu said it, girlfriend! These so-called pundits make me nuts. And please, people, if you don't respect the man, respect the office.

*waves hanky vigorously*

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Suz said: (This has happened twice this year, the first time in nearly 20, because I haven't been using my dayplanner. Guess who has her dayplanner filled out for the next month!!!)

Grins. I am with you and Anna on the punctuality thing. If you're going to be late, call. Traffic in DC makes timing a trip very erratic a lot of times. It can take you 10 minutes one day and an hour and 10 minutes the next day, but darn it, CALL if you're going to be late.

It's courtesy, folks. Plain and simple. Grins. (But all the Banditas and Buddies know that, so I'm "preachin' to the chior" here)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Trish said: Dianna, does seem like we're sharing a lot of pet peeves, doesn't it? Maybe we should start the Pet Peeve Police and hand out tickets for rudeness and whining. :)

I like George Carlin's idea of issuing a paint ball or dart gun to people and when others are massively rude, BLAMMO! So you know to avoid the cars with lots of paint splotches, and the cops know to ticket the guy or gal with all the darts or paint splotches. Better yet, if you want to preserve your "better than my car" car's paint, or your $600 suit, don't be rude.

Grins. Simple!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Cassondra, my evil twin sister, my soulmate! You have spoken it!

You said:Oh, OH!

The one I hate the WORST!!!!

Boom cars. I want a death ray for people who think I should listen to THEIR music, whether I want to or not.

Look at ME! Look at ME! Look at ME!!!!! Grrrrrrrr. Steve has suggested vomit gas grenades for those cars, but so far I've been able to discourage this idea with the preference for not going to jail.


Actually, I'm with Steve. We could do it stealthily enough. Seriously....think about it...who would suspect a gal from the next lane, reading a romance novel while waiting for the light to change, of having thrown that nasty device?

Seriously...

Nancy said...

Trish, I wrote you a long comment that got lost when Blogger claimed it couldn't sign me in.

Maybe that's a pet peeve. *g*

Anyway, I'll just make this comparatively short.

People who refuse to merge until the choke point and then try to bull their way in.

People who let their kids run wild, behavior including but not limited to whining and screaming in public. It really isn't that hard to teach a child to act like a civilized person.

People who talk in movie theaters. The occasional whispered comment is okay. People who want to converse during the film should wait for the freakin' DVD.

People who inflict their cell conversations on others.

People who can't be bothered to say "thank you" when someone holds a door for them or "excuse me" when they need someone to move out of their way--or when they walk between someone and a bookshelf that person is obviously scanning.

My, that was cathartic. *g*

Trish Milburn said...

Jeanne, can't tell you how many times I've had to position myself so that the next person in line couldn't see what I was punching in.

And speaking of the inappropriate dress in public, I'm sure you all have seen that site People at Walmart. Sad, but true.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Trish said: And speaking of the inappropriate dress in public, I'm sure you all have seen that site People at Walmart. Sad, but true.

Ohhhh, yes, I've seen it. I had to go wash my burning eyes. Eeeek! To quote Arnold, in Kindergarten Cop, "It was hawwwwwibbbble!"

Trish Milburn said...

Jeanne, love the paint ball idea. :)

Trish Milburn said...

LOL, Jeanne. I know. I had a few of those "My eyes, my eyes!" moment, especially when I was witnessing a People in Walmart moment in person.

Christie Kelley said...

Wow, Trish. I think you've hit on most of my pet peeves too. But my latest pet peeve is people who talk on their cell phones in a public restroom. Really! I always feel sorry for the person on the other end of that call. Who wants to hear that?

Trish Milburn said...

LOL, Christie. Yeah, I think that falls into the category of TMI. :)

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Sorry to be late to the party... Hope Suz and Fo aren't PEEVED at me! ;-)

WOW! We really ARE on similar wave lengths, coz I agree with every peeve being mentioned!

OH YES! Christie! I was in a public restroom just the other day when the woman in the next stall started talking on her cell. EWWW!!! How INSULTING to the other person is that?!?!

And as for the cigarette butts out the car window... I think the proper punishment is for the person who threw it out to EAT every discarded cigarette butt for the next TWO MILES. Bet they'd never throw another one.

AC
who agrees with Nancy -- cathartic!

Louisa Cornell said...

Wow, you have all been so busy venting and we are all definitely sisters under the skin!! I agree with everyone's list!

Currently my dogs' pet peeve is a large Golden Rooster who thinks every food dish in the house is his, who has commandeered Boudreaux's blanket and spot on the couch and won't let go of the remote! In fact I just caught the cats looking up Kentucky Fried Chicken in the phone book!

Oh, and you do not have to tell me about People at Walmart! I see it nine hours a day, five days a week! White stretch pants and a red thong? NOT a good choice! We have an eye wash station in the bakery. Can't tell you how many times one of us has simple walked back and stuck our head in it. The rest of us do one of two things - run to take a look or hide cowering in the back because some things you just don't need to see!

Louisa Cornell said...

BOOM Cars !!! Love it! And where can we get those vomit grenades? Just because you're too deaf to hear the stuff you call music anymore because you have been listening to it since you were nine at levels that some NASA engineers would say "Damn! That's loud!" does not mean you need to inflict that noise on the rest of us!


And Christy, AMEN SISTER !!! Hang up the cell phone when you are in the restroom. I must confess if I am in there and hear someone talking on their cell I do tend to flush the toilet over and over.

Trish Milburn said...

Louisa, I was waiting for you to comment on the People of Walmart site. LOL on the eyewash station!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Louisa said: I must confess if I am in there and hear someone talking on their cell I do tend to flush the toilet over and over.

OMGosh, I'm ROFLMAO.

You go, girlfriend! Because that's just RUDE, to both the fellow patrons and to the person your talking to on the phone. Arrrrgh.

LanceThruster said...

Boom cars? There needs to be several devices. One would be a remote controlled by any other person that blows the fuse of the "bass-hole". Manufacturers would be required to have this feature installed to deal with the pervasive sonic assault. Have a threshold number for the frequency of kill signals and have a) a stiff fine, or b) confiscation of offending unit. Charge people for purchase of the kill switch remote. Either revenue streams could solve statewide budget deficits.

The second device on my wish list would be poetic justice. Since boom-tards (sorry, no offense to actual learning disabled individuals) have no concern over for their air pollution invading my space, I would love for a device that converts their low frequency toxins into a foul stench inside their vehicles. See how they like an olfactory assault.

I'm sure the NSA already has something similar as an off the shelf gadget. Where's Ron Popeil when you need him?