Raybeard (the dear!) has me thinking about pet peeves. This is not a good thing really. Almost by definition, pet peeves are little things that make you instantly irate, raise your blood pressure, and do no good.
All the same, I think if more people spoke up and expressed ‘that is just wrong!” maybe some of the offenders may shape up.
So, here is my list of Pet Peeves, in no order. Each of these things burns my bacon. I think they are self-explanatory, but I will clarify any ‘why the heck does that upset you?” questions without having a stroke.
Smokers who throw their butts out the car window.
Drivers on their cell phones.
The words ‘Yeah’ for yes and ‘no problem’ for ‘You’re welcome’.
People in restaurants, talking on their cell phones.
Dog owners who don’t pick up the poop.
Service people who express annoyance or indifference to my request for service.
Talking during the movie, theatre, or the opera.
Drivers who don’t stop at the corner stop sign, because they think no one is looking.
At the gym, people who go pass the 30 minute limit of machines, when others are waiting.
Airplane passengers, talking on their cellphones.
Patients who bring beverages into their appointments.
Shouting
Cellphones going off in church, even after we were told to make sure they were turned off.
Drivers who drive past all the others, and wait until the last minute to merge left or right into traffic.
People feigning illness to get on the airplane sooner, or who bypass the ‘wait until your zone is called’ request.
Barry Manilow.
People at the gym, on the elliptical machine, talking on cell phones.
At the buffet, people taking the middle out of an item, instead or taking the piece that is next in order.
Patients, who answer their cellphones their appointment.
Pop up adds when visiting a website.
Men who don’t wash their hands after taking a leak.
Recyclable items in the trash.
Patients who treat me as a waiter.
Cellphones
37 comments
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October 9, 2011 at 3:50 AM
scottsabode
How about Barry Manilow on a cellphone?
October 9, 2011 at 6:26 AM
Urspo
It is better than Mr. Manilow singing.
October 9, 2011 at 7:13 AM
JustAMike
Hahahaha!
October 9, 2011 at 4:22 AM
Raybeard
Many thanks for your reference to me, Dr Spo. It’s especially humbling to be mentioned on one of the very most august blogs in existence.
Well, it looks that by getting all that long list off your chest (and I bet there’s still LOADS more!), you’ve opened up a rich seam of gold.
I’d concur with every single one of yours – at least those that I’ve experienced.
Just one to add (for the moment) – Telephone calls from the utilities (electricity companies, insurance, telephone, computer etc) where someone you’ve never met, and don’t particularly want to talk to, start by introducing him/herself with a first-name (only) – and then with a “How are you?” It floors me every time because we all KNOW that they couldn’t really care less how you are, even though they’ve pushed themselves into your life with unmerited assumed familiarity. I think it’s just so damned RUDE!
There’ll be more…….
October 9, 2011 at 6:26 AM
Urspo
You remind me I forgot one of my prime pet peeves! Strangers calling me by my first name before they know me or ask my permission. Telephone callers are the worst. PS – I always call my patients Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. or whatever until they ask me otherwise.
October 9, 2011 at 4:33 AM
truthspew
When I see someone not pick up the dog poop I just want to run over and rub the owners nose in it.
As to patients who answer their phones, well, if visiting a doctor I make it a point to explain that I am on call for my job. And it’s true, I am. I will however leave the phone on vibrate and can make a split judgment about WHEN I have to answer the phone.
October 9, 2011 at 4:58 AM
Buddy Bear
I don’t have many pet peeves, but I don’t like it when people at work leave their dirty dishes in the staff lunchroom sink.
I take a hard line with this. If some dirty dishes have been there longer than 24 hours, I throw them in the garbage.
October 9, 2011 at 6:23 AM
Urspo
Aye, that’s a good one Addendum: coworkers who forget their food in the staff fridge. It sits for weeks until someone else throws it out.
October 9, 2011 at 5:50 AM
tigerchanter
OMG!!! Aside from the “career specific” ones, these are mine exactly!!!!
Here’s my biggest one:
People who either don’t use their directionals to indicate that they are turning or people who slam on their brakes and THEN put on their directionals to indicate that they are turning!
I can feel my blood pressure rising just from typing it!! Grrrr!!!!!
October 9, 2011 at 6:22 AM
Urspo
This is a big pet peeve of Someone. When it happens he lets loose with the hottest of language. Usually at high volume ,which hurts me ears. I’ve learned not to say a sarcastic ‘ouch!” as it only makes the situation worse.
October 9, 2011 at 5:58 AM
Cubby
You sure have big problem with cell phones!! You ought to see a shrink about that.
October 9, 2011 at 6:21 AM
Urspo
Quacks! All of them!
October 9, 2011 at 6:13 AM
Laurent
Patients who treat you as a waiter? OK now the easy solution to that one is to prescribe something real exotic so they go into an another dimension and their family can have them committed for good.
You have strange patients, why would they not be grateful instead for the help they can get.
Barry Manilow in your pet peeve, poor man it’s not his fault someone told him he had talent. LOL!
As for cell phones, it’s cultural, did you know that I observed in Europe, Spain, Italy, people actually walk out of a restaurant if their phone rings to take the call outside. In Japan were everyone has a cel phone, no one will use it on public transport, like the subway in Tokyo or on trains. It seems that only the street is ok to talk on your phone. In cars everyone seems to have a hands off device built in. Canada is the same, rudeness is a virtue, me first and fuck you attitude. Sad really, this is why we want to escape.
Hope you are feeling better.
October 9, 2011 at 6:50 AM
The Butterfly Mage
I can totally relate to you list. For what it’s worth, I never talk on the phone at my doctor’s office 🙂
Here’s a few of my favorites:
— Drivers (usually in SUVs) that slam the accelerator when I put my turn signal on, just so that I can’t switch lanes or get off an exit ramp.
— Drivers (usually in SUVs) that swerve all over the road because they’re trying to manage a cell phone, MP3 player, GPS, and a cup of coffee all at the same time.
— Defendants who show up an hour late for court and then gripe at me for getting a bench warrant.
— Defendants whose mothers come to court and curse at me for getting their sweet little honest angel boys locked up (you know, the “saints” with four open cases for drug dealing).
— Politicians who act like being a Christian is the sole qualifier for elected office.
— Moms who push children aged 4-7 in strollers (and then wonder why childhood obesity is a problem).
— Parents who let their boys get drugged with ritalin by the school system.
— Teenagers who wear pants that are eight sizes too big and hand around their knees, exposing their underwear.
— Modern job interviews where the only viable candidates are those that are under 30, in perfect health, already employed, already fully-trained, willing to work for pennies, and have credit scores above 800.
— Politicians who “worry” about a “second recession” when they know damned well that the first one from 2007 never abated.
October 9, 2011 at 7:12 AM
JustAMike
Oh Dr Spo you wouldn’t be very happy with me! . I never use my cell phone at a movie or theatre – it’s either off or not their – it’s illegal to drive while using a cell phone here (and I always obey the law) BUT, last Tues when Bill was getting his 30 year recognition at his work, I used my cell phone to take pictures of the momentous occasion and the unexpected occurred! My son inexplicably texted me and the phone made a very loud chirping noise just at the quietest time during the proceeding. EVERYONE craned their necks and gave me the stink eye. Then, just as I recover my composure from that awkward moment, my Dad calls me, a day early, to wish me a happy birthday! I was mortified! I’ll be sure to have my real camera with me next time. I promise!!
October 9, 2011 at 8:16 AM
rg
My main pet peeve is people who post pet peeves on their blog. (Sorry – I couldn’t resist – I’m under-caffeinated.)
October 9, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Urspo
My main pet peeve is people who are peeved at pet peeve posters.
Your turn.
October 9, 2011 at 1:38 PM
rg
I’m peeved that I have to write about pet peeves on blogs, whose owners have a pet peeve about people who complain about peeves on said blogs! Whew! Say THAT ten times as fast as you can! LOL
October 9, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Will J
I wonder whether there is a continuous thread in here somewhere? Is the source of the peeves that the self centered-ness of some people extracts a price or is a taking of something to the bystander (e.g. the level of activity of a room full of extroverts drains the physical and mental activity from introverts, yet, while the extroverts get what they need, the introverts must pay the price by setting aside the necessary restorative time). For the cell phone abusers, it prevents others from being fully present during services, at the movies, opera, or their MD appointments? How can they be made aware of this transgression? Perhaps we can shame them. After three polite and civil requests to comply, they should be required to have Barry Manilow’s Copacabana installed as the ring tone on their phone until such time as they have shown that they can handle a cell phone with courtesy and respect for the other who have to live around them.
October 9, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Nik_TheGreek
Are you allowed to add people to pet peeves? Wow… The list will get sooooo long…
October 9, 2011 at 10:35 AM
anne marie in philly
stupid people
stupid people who breed
entitled rugrats of any age
cellphones
bigotry, zenophobia, jingoism, homophobia, racism, arrogance, crass consumerism, intolerance, greed, war, poverty, injustice, inequality, hunger, obnoxious/pretentious people
perhaps I need a shrink?
October 9, 2011 at 1:39 PM
rg
Nope. Just a drink every now and again. :0
October 9, 2011 at 2:15 PM
anne marie in philly
oh, I DO, honey. I also knit so I don’t kill people.
lucky for me the people that write and read this blog are VERY SMART! smooches to all my gay boyfriends on the www!
October 9, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Aunt Barb
What’s wrong with Barry?
How about cigar butts on the golf course
And egocentric parents raising narcissistic kids
Honkers”……that is the next line
And inconsiderate, impatient drivers, or Yonkers
October 9, 2011 at 7:03 PM
Sluggy
I also find it ludicrous that every adult I come into contact with lately has a coffee cup growing out of the end of their arm, no matter where they are and what they are doing! What is it with people who has to carry around a cup of something sugar and coffee flavored like a security blanket to get through their day?
And with younger ones it’s a cup of sumthin sumthin on the end of one arm and a cell phone on the end of the other arm? It’s like nobody can stand to be alone for any amount of time. They have to have human contact at the tip of their fingers 24/7.
I cherish my time in solitude with just my own throughts. where is the downtime that we all need to recharge?
The thought of being tethered to the noise of society ALWAYS gives me hives.
October 9, 2011 at 10:08 PM
JustAMike
Ur-Spo, you wouldn’t be very happy with me . . . I’m an addicted cell phone (pardon me, iPhone) user. Having admitted to this now publicly, I promise that I do not use it at a theatre or cinema. It’s either shut off or in the car during those times.
Last Tuesday when Bill was getting his long-service recognition at work, I used my phone to take pictures. All of a sudden, the darn device almost leapt out of my hand in a cacophony of tones and beeps. All the quiet folk around me craned their necks to make sure I received the full extent of each’s “stink eye”. What had happened? My son had texted me. He never texts me in the evening. Except this day.
Then, just as I was recovery my composure from that embarrassing moment, the darn thing starting ringing again. This time it was my Dad, a day early, phoning to wish me a happy birthday. I had to leave the banquet hall lest I be pummelled to death by uneaten hors d’oeuvres.
Next time, I’ll just bring my camera.
October 9, 2011 at 10:52 PM
wcs
I call a bank or other company with which I do business. Their recorded message tells me that my call is important to them and will be answered in the order in which it was received. While I wait, I am asked to help speed up my request for assistance by clearly stating my name and reciting my account number. The machine recognizes my speech and thanks me. After I wait some more, a person comes on the line and proceeds to ask for my name and account number. WHY THE HELL DID I HAVE TO TELL IT TO THE MACHINE?
October 10, 2011 at 3:50 AM
Will
Use of ‘s for the plural of things
Use of less when fewer is correct: “This recipe uses less tomatoes,” for example.
People who put me in a particular demographic and then assume they know all about me: “Like all boomers, your concerns are . . .” I know my concerns, they don’t.
People who assume that it’s OK to talk at any time during a live performance but especially during an orchestral passage in an opera. I guess they think if there isn’t singing at that moment, the music isn’t worth listening to.
People who denigrate me and all gays & lesbians as despicable sinners, forces of evil, short-lived diseased, unhappy wretches lying in wait for their pre-teen sons.
October 10, 2011 at 6:10 AM
misteraudacious
How about waitresses or waiters that say,”Are WE ready to order?” Talk about something that burns the bacon. The other day I responded with,”I am, I don’t know about you.” Guess what! She didn’t get it!! Oh Lord, save us all!!
October 10, 2011 at 9:41 AM
jefferyrn
People who talk to themselves; Insane humming;Diet coke and a candy bar; people who are never wrong. Wait a minute, I am describing myself here. Hmmm, maybe I am annoy me.
October 10, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Paul Brownsey
Will J says: “Is the source of the peeves that the self centered-ness of some people extracts a price …?”
Well put. I think that’s the common feature of my pet peeves. In addition to many of those mentioned by others I have:
(a) people who put their feet up on train/bus seats (the price to me here being dirt and possibly dogshit on my clothes);
(b) people who can’t be bothered with proper spelling/grammar/punctuation (the price to me here being confusion and/or having to spend much longer deciphering their communication than I would otherwise have to and these arrogant s*ds thus steal time from me);
(c) people who expect everything their children do to be put up with by other people (the price to me being things like being hit by their four-year-olds, having my hair pulled by the same four-year-olds, etc, etc, etc, these chiildren never being corrected by their parents but the parents being ready to have a go at you if you try to remonstrate with the children);
(d) people rustling sweetie papers in the theatre (the price to me being that i can’t hear or at least am distracted from what I have paid good money to see);
October 10, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Cameron
One of my pet peeves: Aggressive greeters in stores who accost you with a WELCOME! they don’t mean — then there are never enough cashiers to help people check out. This also holds true at the bank.
I always say, “More cashiers and less greeters, please!”
October 10, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Will J
Pssst Cameron, …fewer greeters?
Don’t want to make the other Will (the smart and talented one) peeved.
October 10, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Will
Will J, thank you for a good laugh!
October 11, 2011 at 2:24 AM
Rick/CJ
Hmmm, I have Copacabanna as my ringtone. 😦
October 12, 2011 at 4:29 AM
D@vid
Wow… we have the same pet peeves… every single one of them
October 12, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Mike, now in PHX
Counter workers who immediately ask “What can I get for you,” before I’ve even got to the counter and read the menu board. Just because s/he has punched in 536 Big Macs already doesn’t mean that I know what the fuck I’m going to have. I usually just turn around and walk out.