Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Pet Peeves & General Gripes

Wednesday, August 5, 2009



We all have them...pet peeves. Things that for whatever reason, can be incredibly annoying. Occurrences that may not even be a big deal to others, but they seem to really get under your skin. Little habits that other people have that just make you want to SCREAM!

I don't think that I have a lot of pet peeves, but the ones that I do have can really get to me sometimes. For your entertainment, I'll list a few of mine.


Slow/ Bad drivers. I live in a highly congested, scenic packed area occupied by a large number of senior citizens. I like to call them the blue hairs. I get so annoyed with drivers that can't seem to go the speed limit. Now, I'm not talking just a few mph under the speed limit. I mean going 25mph in a 40mph zone. I know the palm trees are swaying and the water is glistening and the homes are amazing.... but pull over! Let people pass you. And I truly believe that after a certain age, say 75, you should have to take the driving test every year! It's not just the seniors that irritate me. It's just bad drivers in general. I think everyone should be required to attend the Brenda Van Deilen School of Driving.


Check Writers. You know who I mean. You're at the grocery store and you just want to check out, go home and get your dinner started so you can finally relax. You're in line and the person checking out is writing a check. And it is taking forever! I don't mind the fact that they are writing a check, but if they know they are going to write a check, can't they fill it out earlier? They could date it, fill in the Pay to the Order of line, sign it, and even put their entry in their ledger, all while the clerk is ringing them up. Or better yet, do it before they even get in line! Then when they know the amount, quickly write it in and get out of my way! I realize that this whole process probably only robs me of a few minutes of my time, but still, it annoys me.


Biting my tongue. I have always been a person who would rather keep things inside because I think it's easier than possibly causing ill feelings. Sometimes you have to keep your mouth shut because of business. It wouldn't do me a lot of good to tell a client that I think their flooring choice is hideous or that their bathroom is disgustingly dirty and they should have cleaned it before asking us to come over and work on their plumbing. We probably wouldn't get a lot of jobs if I did.

Sometimes you may find someone incredibly annoying, rude, and pretty much obnoxious. But you have to bite your tongue. It could be a friend of a friend, or your child's playmate, or maybe even a family member. You have to play the game and pretend that you like this person, just so you can keep the peace. I do my best to just be cordial. I guess that's the polite thing to do.


Toilet etiquette. I don't think I've ever noticed that my husband has left the toilet seat up. He's really good about that. But even if he did, that is not my complaint. He needs it up, I need it down, no big deal. My problem is with women.

I realize that public restrooms can be scary. None of us want to use them, but out of necessity, we must. Some girls cover the seat with toilet paper or the supplied seat cover. Some girls hover. I don't really care which method you use, but if you pee on the toilet seat, wipe it up! You turn around to flush, you can see it right there! Clean it up! That is probably at the top of my list! Women can be so sloppy in public bathrooms. It makes me worry about what's going on over in the men's.

Well, I feel better now. I'm ready to go out and face the world, and today when I'm annoyed, I think I'll just laugh instead. Except about the toilet thing. That is just NEVER funny.
Please share. What gets your blood boiling?


SIS Bren

14 comments:

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Oooo! This could be fun!

Cold food! I cannot stand to watch people eat food that should be heated...cold! I actually have to turn away!

Superior people! Or those who think they need to come across that way. Drives me insane!

Jealousy! Mainly friendship. Why do some people feel the need to compete for attention and act ridiculously stupid when they don't get it?

Junk mail! I guess it's better than a bill, but still...

Tardy people! This is probably my main one. I can't stand to be late for anything and usually show up early but drive around the block a few times. Some people are NEVER on time! Get a watch, get an alarm, get an energy drink, whatever...just get there on time!!!

SIS Barb

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi Barb!

Although it doesn't bother me to watch people eat food cold that should be hot, I DO like my hot food to be hot and remain hot while I am eating it. Therefore, I hate it when cool air is blowing on my food while I'm eating.

Superior people? I agree 100%. I, too, am annoyed by people who always try to come across as being more intelligent, all-knowing or just better in any way.

Tardiness? Guilty. But only because of the slow a** drivers who won't get out of my way and those check writers! Of course it's never my fault. LOL

SIS Bren

Richard said...

WOW! Talk about opening a potential can of worms --- my list could be ENDLESS;)!

Mis-spellings/bad grammar, in general, but especially when SPOKEN! Examples of written ones, "your" for "you're;" "I" for "me", and vice versa (MySpacers, those are NOT pictures of "So-and-so and I"!!!). Spoken, mostly: "Ethel, there's a car parked in the MEDIUM!!" It's a MEDIAN, folks! (breath)

I agree with Tardiness, but I'll put even a finer point on that --- someone showing up late when THEY insisted that you MUST be there AT that time!

I totally agree about the check writers -- DEBIT cards, people!! Online banking, people!!

Barb, you cracked me UP with the "cold food" thing! Doesn't bother me particularly (especially since I'm guilty of it often enough -- if you can't chow down on a hot dog out of the fridge as you're hurrying out the door, then it's just NOT a good dog!;)), but it DID kinda get to me when the ex- would munch on uncooked pasta!

And, though I could think of many more myself, ANYONE who DOESN'T hate biting their tongue is probably not doing it enough;)!

Oh, in parting I will say that "emoticons" bug the HELL out of me ... but, again, "GUILTY"!! :)

Tori Lennox said...

All I can say is I agree with everything everyone else has already mentioned. Well, except the cold food thing. I've never thought about that before. *g* I'm sure I could add to the list but I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Come to think of it, that right there is something annoys me. Not being to remember things!

B.J. said...

Hi Brenda, I agree with you about holding your tounge while on the job. i couldn't tell you how many times I have been cussed out because I wouldn"t sell a pack of cigs without an ID. I just want to smack them upside the head and ask them why they are driving without a drivers license.(I work at a drive thru convenience store.)

Sisters-in-Sync said...

I've got one! I've got one! Today I was in a consultation with a patient going over their dental treatment and the woman answered her cell phone TWICE and started having a conversation with the person on the other end of the line. Not once did she say, "Excuse me, I need to take this call." or apologize for answering it. The 2nd time I just sat there and blinked at her. Apparently she could care less that she is being rude and wasting my time!!!!!! (I work in a dental office as a treatment plan coordinator)

SIS Barb

Beth Ciotta said...

Rude People. Essentially anyone who doesn't show common courtesy and respect toward their fellow man. Sadly, there are many.

Mean People. (Cruel. Hurtful) Thankfully, I don't encounter many of these. Oh, but I read about them in the news or come across them on the Internet.

Driver's who don't use their turn signals. It's dangerous!

And lastly, well for now anyway, one of Brenda's peeves is a huge peeve of mine. Women who squat in public restroom, endup spritzed the toilet seat AND DON'TCLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES! Grrrr.

SIS Beth

Beth Ciotta said...

Sorry for the typos. :-) I was too steamed to proofread!

Oh, and Barb. I guess this means I shouldn't eat cold leftover pizza in front of you??

SIS Beth

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Do not, I repeat, do not eat cold pizza in front of me unless the sight of me gagging won't affect your appetite!!

My daughter spritzes the toilet seat all the time. She's not even a squatter. I march her back in the bathroom and point it out. "Do you see that?"
"yes, mama."..."Then CLEAN IT UP!"..."okay, mama."

SIS Barb

Beth Ciotta said...

Barb... So, it would gross you out if I ate cold vegatable fried rice? Or a cold egg roll? Because (*snicker*) I've done it.

SIS Beth

Olga said...

That probably would be rude people as well. Also, I really don't like when people lie to me...

Fedora said...

LOL! Yep, rude, mean people top the list. The worst though, rude, mean parents, who are clearly passing on their horribleness to their children. ARGH!

Barb, good on you for teaching your kids to clean up after themselves--the world thanks you for that! I hate those messy public bathrooms, too--gag! It's all part of that rude, "it's all about me" mentality--a pox on rude people!

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hey Fedora!!!!

It is amazing how it passes down from generation to generation. Children imitate their parents. I was going to say mimic but I'm not sure if that's spelled right and I don't want to irritate Richard;)

SIS Barb

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for your great comments. Most everything mentioned would be on my list as well.

B.J., I think it would be great if you turned a hose on those people who are cussing you out for not selling cigs without an I.D.

Barb, I agree about cell phone etiquette. It's just plain rude!

Tori, I understand your gripe about not remembering things. Happens to me alot. Even more to my husband who often can't remember what we had for dinner. UGH!

Beth, I also strongly dislike the actions of rude and mean people. It's a shame that people often don't take others into consideration.

Olga, liars are right up there for me. And thieves! My son had 3 bicycles stolen before the age of 14!

Richard, funny you should mention the Medium/Median thing. I was just talking about that the other day.

SIS Bren

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