The other day I got really pissed off over something really minor, and afterwards I realized that it was similar to things that had really bothered me and stuck with me in the past. Wondering if any of you had minor things that annoyed you way out of proportion.
My wife and I were going to a concert Sunday night. Our seats were in the middle of a row, and to get to them we slipped in front of several people already seated to get to the only 2 open seats. When I got to my seat, the person in the seat next to mine (whom I had just passed in front of) had his legs spread so far that one of his legs was between his and mine such that I could not lower my seat. I said “Excuse me” - and he did not respond or show any acknowledgement. I said “Excuse me” a second time, and when he still didn’t move a muscle, I started to put my seat down onto his leg. Only then did he move his leg so I could lower the seat and sit down. As I did, I muttered under my breath “Dumbfuck.”
Now I’m not for an instant trying to defend my response, merely observing that this type of situation really makes my blood boil. And I’m generally able to shake off all kinds of slights, people cutting me off, cutting in line, whatever.
I’ve got no objection to people spreading beyond their “allotted space” in public situations, or even assuming a posture intended to dissuade others from occupying adjacent space. But when I enter a space, and elect to take a fair share of the space to which I am equally entitled, it really pisses me off when the person who is already there acts as tho I am putting them out, or moves slowly as tho if they are uncooperative enough they will convince me to go elsewhere. Really makes me prefer not to go out in public!
So, any little thing that makes you see red, even though you know you shouldn’t let it get to you?
Well, sort of along those same lines. My husband and I attended a couple of shows recently on our anniversary weekend away, and on both nights, the last two people to be seated in our row were the ones with the middle two seats. Didn’t piss me off; it’s just something I noticed.
However, at both shows, both before the show and all during intermission, many people were just texting away on phones and blackberries. It shouldn’t bother me; doesn’t affect me as long as they don’t do it during the show, but it irks me nevertheless. Can they really, truly not go two whole hours without texting someone? Really?
The only thing at the theater that irks me to the point of saying something is the talkers, though. I mean, really - you’re not at home in front of the t.v., so shut the eff up and let the rest of us hear the show, you moron! Oh, sorry. That one does rile me up, but appropriately so, I think.
Salt or sugar on a tile or linoleum floor. I walk around barefoot outside all the time so getting some dirt or sand on my feet doesn’t bother me. But there is something about feeling the fine grit of salt or sugar on an otherwise smooth floor that drives me nuts. It’s doesn’t annoy me, it doesn’t irritate me, it pisses me right off. It’s a level of anger completely out of proportion for something so trivial and I know how stupid it is but it’s still just this automatic anger every single time.
I don’t take it out on other people or anything. It’s my own dumb irrational thing and I know it but I will be silently seething for a minute or two till I get it cleaned up off of the floor and my feet.
Oh, we weren’t the last 2 people. We were a good 10 minutes before the show, and I think 2 groups passed in front of us after. We were maybe 1/3 of the way in from one side.
Curious coincidence. As we were leaving this show, we saw an usher apologizing to a woman for the show “being ruined” for her, and handing the card of the theater director saying he wanted to make it up for her. The nest day my wife was talking with someone she knows who works there, and apparently what “ruined” the show for this woman was some people’s use of their cell phones during it.
I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll continue to mention it until legislation is passed to abolish this practice:
When a stranger tells me to smile.
I’m sorry, but do I know you? Who are you to tell me what to do with my face? If I feel like smiling, I smile. If I don’t, I don’t. See how this works? A person chooses their own facial expression. This is not a publically decided thing, like who wins on American Idol. For all you know, my mom could have died this morning from a fire that incidentally consumed all my worldly possessions. And you’re telling me to smile? Presumptuous is not even the word. What do you think I am, some clown whose sole purpose in life is to go around amusing you? Well, we’re all out of clowns here, bub. If it bothers you that I don’t look like Bobo the Fool with a perma-grin plastered on my face, how about you get to stepping to the nearest carnival. Lots of phony smiles going on there.
At home in Europe/MidEast, the stove and microwave both show time in a 24 hour format. In the US they show 12 hour format and there is no way to change it.
I feel strongly enough about it that when test driving cars in the US, I asked each dealer if the car model we were considering could display the time in 24 hour format.
Mothers verbally denigrating and physically yanking children in stores. When I see this happening, I either speak quietly to the mother or call the police, but what I really would like to do is verbally blast the mother.
I get irritated by people who park cars that are too big for the space into the compact spots. So you park your car like you normally do, then you come out and some guy has shoehorned his bigass truck or suv into the spot next to you, leaving 3 inches for you to open your door. Or you drive down the parking aisle and this truck is sitting out 4 feet into the drive aisle. grrr…
I solved the issue for myself by just parking out in the outskirts, but I have to admit it still pisses me off when I walk by and see it happening. This irritates me even if it isn’t my car. I see it all the time. And what will really piss me off is the next row or two over are tons of big parking spots, but that would mean you would have to walk like another 10 feet you lazy ass!
btw–**legalsnugs–**I admit I text once during intermission, to check in on my daughter. But only once, and never during the show!
I used to get unreasonably annoyed when I’d park so there was a space between me and the car on my passenger side and someone parked in that vacant spot. I get that it’s absolutely stupid and that anyone can park there. I know they’ll look at the spot and see, “Oooh, one spot closer to the door.” But, dammit, I used to park with a spot between me and the car next to me because I’d get out and walk around to the passenger side so I’d have room to get my briefcase, my lunch and my purse out without having to drag everything across my pregnant belly!
It annoyed me so much I just started looking for spots between cars where people had already gotten out so, although it was a little narrower space, at least I could get out and walk to the other side without having to worry about getting hit by a car or a door or forcing someone else to wait while I got all my stuff out.
Yes times a thousand. I’ve posted this before, and I’ll probably stop before we get legislation passed, but not before I hurt someone physically and very badly. And folks, if I do not know you, do not “Hey baby,” whistle or honk your horn at, follow, harass, heckle in any way, or touch me. Ever. Sometimes I think I ought to let it go, then I think, “Why the fuck should it be okay for people to behave this way?”
At work: When people call ME on the phone and then place ME on hold. Logically, I know that things come up and people must attend to them, they’re not doing it to be rude, blah blah blah. But illogically, I get so pissed that people call me up, looking for my help and expertise, and don’t have the courtesy to actually listen to me.
In real life: When my SO leaves the cabinet doors open in the kitchen. Two seconds to close them, sure, but I could hit my head, poke out my eye, anything… and why can’t he remember to close them in the first place?!
There’s a particular joke, or “line” really, that people feel compelled to say when they hear my first name.
I won’t say what it is, b/c I cherish my anonymity on the internet, but my name–while well known–isn’t very common, and this line is a knee-jerk reaction from approximately 70% of the adult population. Not exaggerating.
I CANNOT &%^#@ing stand it. Especially b/c then it’s followed up with, “Oh, I bet you get that all the time,” and “Sorry, I had to say it!” and “You don’t hear that too often do you? Hehehehe…”
And then it’s like we have to have this CONVERSATION about it.
And if I’m anything but amused/gracious/tolerant, people think I’m overreacting and bitchy for no reason.
I’m 31 years old; anything remotely novel, funny, or amusing about my name was beaten to death about twenty years ago. It’s like being told the same lame-ass joke 50 times a day, every day of your life, and being expected to laugh every single time.
I HATE IT AND IT MAKES ME INSANE. It’s enough to put me in a bad mood on some days; it’s enough to make me dislike certain people, when they won’t let it go. Even my co-workers are tired of hearing it; friends of mine are known to bark, “SHE HATES THAT! DON’T SAY THAT! STOP IT!”
I realize most people aren’t aware of how tedious it is, and their intentions are not necessarily evil, but I don’t care. Screw them anyway.
Ah. Good. I didn’t think this was worthy of a thread on its own, but there’s this outfit that sells some sort of skin care products from kiosks at malls. Their business model apparently is to have their staff accost anyone walking by and say “Can I ask you a question?”, at which point they go into their pitch.
No. You can’t ask me a question. You’re not actually interested in asking me a question, you fucking liar, you’re simply trying to stop me from going about my business to shill a product I don’t want or need. What you can do is fuck right off.
Honestly, I feel bad about thinking this way; I can’t imagine a more soul-destroying job. It’s like telemarketing, but without the phone line to distance you from the abuse of the people you annoy.
Traffic directors. I don’t know what they’re called, but those people with the glowing batons and whistles that tell you which way to drive in big parking lots and such. I know they’re necessary to avoid total chaos. I know they’re just doing their job. With all other people, from the surly cashier at Wal-Mart to my sadist of a dentist, I’m cheerful and friendly. With those baton waving fuckers, I’m homicidal. Don’t you fucking tell me which way to go, and stop with your damn whistle blowing, asshole! I heard you the first time.
It bugs the snot out of me when people come in to “my space” unnecessarily. Only my husband and me sitting in a seat-yourself restaurant? Some idiots choose to sit at the next table. Now I have to be careful about what I’m discussing, because the ones who do that never want to speak to each other . . .
We find a seat in a theatre away from others? The next group in sits directly in front.
Why do they do that? You may want to herd, but I do not. Leave me alone - get away from me- stand over there. Don’t crowd me in a line up either - thanks.
My SO does this too and I will go find him and make him go back and close the cabinet doors. It is bad enough that I could put my freaking eye out on the corner of the thing but it also allows room for kitties to jump up into the cabinets and knock stuff on the ground.
If it’s the same kiosks I’m thinking of, I have NO sympathy whatsoever - I’ve been physically grabbed by these people, they have no boundaries. They just grab my hand and start trying to put stuff on me.
I give them a much wider berth now when I have to walk past, I think that other people have had the same issues, and they’ve become a bit less aggressive, but I’m not giving them the chance. It’s funny, because I love trying new cosmetics/lotions, but since these salespeople are so damn aggressive, I’ve never even stopped to look, since I know I wouldn’t be able to just browse without someone trying to give me a manicure.
