# Things that infuriate you well beyond their actual importance **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 4, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712 "2024-09-04T02:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 154
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3061 "2026-08-16T03:43:50Z")
Exact change is your friend. In cases like that I (politely) reach past the dawdlers, grab the egg carton and either hand the vendor the cash or leave it on the table, making sure she/he sees me doing it. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3062 "2026-08-17T07:52:57Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Given the sensationalist title, I even doubt that Dylan ever said that. Actually, [he did](https://americansongwriter.com/4-of-bob-dylans-favorite-songs/). > Dylan’s love for “Wichita Lineman” can be concisely summed up. “The greatest song ever written,” he once decreed on the cover of Dylan Jones’ _Wichita Lineman: Searching in the Sun for the World’s Greatest Unfinished Song_. The lyrics are reminiscent of some of Dylan’s folk parables, so it makes sense he would lend his favor to the track. Doesn’t make it any less click-bait, though. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3063 "2026-08-17T11:06:07Z")
I gave weightlifting two solid years before realizing how much I hated it. Running is my thing. Back in the day the code words were “Excuse me, mind if I work in?” That means to alternate sets with the other person. If I saw someone on their phone I’d approach with the attitude that they were resting between sets. It would almost certainly cause them to change machines or … actually get back into their next set. For the yammering guy leaning on the machine, I’d try “Pardon me…watch you elbow!” ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3064 "2026-08-19T14:59:51Z")
May main personal email address is through Yahoo! It works fine, no particular issues, but one thing that irritates the crap out of me. On the computer, emails are automatically segregated under 4 banners, Primary/Offers/Social/Newsletters. It works fairly well, the vast majority of my real email is under Primary. On my phone, emails are automatically segregated under 4 banners, Primary/Transactions/Updates/Promotions. It works fairly well, the vast majority of my real email is under Primary. The infuriating part is that the two Primary mailboxes are ever so slightly different, so I keep thinking emails are disappearing when I see them in one system and they don’t appear in the same place on the other. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3065 "2026-08-20T17:03:09Z")
I needed to input a 16-character code, of the kind xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx. It was rejected, because I didn’t also type in the dashes (an annoyance to get to the - on my phone keyboard). Well, if you wanted the dashes also, that would be a 19-character code, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3066 "2026-08-20T20:59:33Z")
My little summer gym at the local community center has only one fly machine. It’s always in use, and there are enough other exercises I can do, that I’ll just wait until it’s open and grab it. There was a guy on it this morning, and he looked like he was about done, so I said “OK if I work in with you?” Man, the look of disgust he gave me! He just got up and left. A friend was watching and he just smiled and shrugged. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3067 "2026-08-20T21:26:53Z")
Gosh, I’m glad I don’t go to the gym. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3068 "2026-08-21T18:16:49Z")
Something tells me there might be others in the SDMB midst that might find this infuriating as well, but … when I say “thank you,” to someone and they respond with, “yup,” or “uh-huh,” it makes me want to say, “well, fuck you too, then.” Okay, it’s not that bad. Especially since I know I was guilty of that for a long time. I went out of my way to make sure I always say, “you’re welcome.” Even, “no problem,” kind of cheeses me. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3069 "2026-08-21T18:44:50Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Even, “no problem,” kind of cheeses me. Really? How about an enthusiastic, “No problem!” with a smile? Because I do that a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3070 "2026-08-21T18:49:46Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Even, “no problem,” kind of cheeses me. You are not alone. For a time in my career, I managed a phone tech support group. I continually had to remind the younger folks to respond to a “thank you” with “you’re welcome” rather than “no problem”, which I considered very unprofessional. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2026, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3071 "2026-08-22T03:10:14Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > unprofessional I heard that word quite often whilst in the Navy, to the point that by the time I retired I didn’t want to ever hear it again. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2026, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3072 "2026-08-22T05:19:39Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The Fifth Third Bank Their personnel probably eat out at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3073 "2026-08-22T12:24:44Z")
**SCAdian** , the equivalent for electricians is “neat and workmanlike manner.” This is a fundamental requirement for all installations that appears at least three times in the NEC. I’ve known many inspectors and fire marshals who pull this phrase out if they just plain don’t like you or your attitude. Inspector: “You need to route this differently and remount those boxes.” Me: “Why? It’s secure and functional.” Inspector: “It’s not neat and workmanlike.” Me: “In what way?” Inspector: “In MY way.” I believe the verbiage was revised in the 2025 edition, but there is still no exact definition of what it means. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3074 "2026-08-23T15:05:39Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > A lot of driving infuriations are well deserved because driving is dangerous, but one that has been annoying me lately beyond its actual importance are major surface roads whose lights only let but a few cars through at a time before they switch back to let the minor road have a green. It happened again at the same light, and was still infuriating but less important because it happened to someone else: I was approaching the worst offending light, and I saw it change, and slowed down, despite knowing that it would result me hitting the second red if its pattern was consistent. Well, it did turn green. And then it turned red again. And then it turned green and I was able to coast through it. But. At the second red there was no one going through the cross street, so no reason for it to change in the first place. And when I got the green it _did_ stop someone else who _was_ approaching the cross street. So basically it’s an all around horrible light. First time, it stopped me for no reason and then second time, it stopped someone in the cross street for no reason. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3075 "2026-08-24T00:06:04Z")
I think I want a car horn on my bicycle. It is kinda important. Twice recently, people have pulled out in front of me because they can’t be bothered to check their mirror. I do have a bell (built into the bike) but it’s real quiet. Luckily I have disk brakes. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3076 "2026-08-24T00:16:15Z")
I think that’s in the wrong thread. I think that’s seriously important. We want our Enipla to stay alive! Car horn, or something equally loud, seems like a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3077 "2026-09-14T01:58:10Z")
A few days ago one of my smoke detectors started making that “chirp” to indicate it’s at the end of its 10 year life. So I pulled it off the ceiling, deactivated it, and today I dutifully went down to Lowe’s and bought a new one. I purposely bought one that’s the same brand as the old one, and at a glance looked like the old one, in hopes that I could just re-use the base from the old one and not have to bother screwing the new base to the ceiling. But no, even though they look superficially the same, the new one is a larger diameter than the old one, so it doesn’t fit in the old base. So I had to use the new base. And the holes in the new base are set farther apart, so I can’t just screw it into the old holes, I have to drill one new hole. I know it’s an easy job, but why can’t they just standardize these things, so you can just pop the old one off the base and pop the new one on, with no installation? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3078 "2026-09-14T05:13:18Z")
Mason jars used to come in boxes that closed. Now they come in boxes that don’t come all the way to the top of the jars, and there’s no top to the box, just plastic wrap. So it’s a pain to store them after you’ve removed the plastic wrap. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3079 "2026-09-14T06:10:44Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I know it’s an easy job, but why can’t they just standardize these things, so you can just pop the old one off the base and pop the new one on, with no installation? I go out of my way to try and buy the exact same make and model whenever possible for exactly this reason. Is it the best model? The most cost-effective? The most recommended? I’ll never know, because all I care about is that mounting base. Someone certified the damn thing, so it’s “good enough.” ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/3080 "2026-09-14T13:12:50Z")
People who drive at night without turning on their headlights. I suspect this usually happens because they have their daytime running lights (DTRL) on, which means there’s some light on the road ahead and the instrument panel is lit up. But their tail lights are NOT on. This is dangerous but also annoying because they are usually clueless about it. I try getting behind them and switching my headlights on and off. Flashing your brights isn’t as effective because they may just think you want them to move out of the way. But even the switching-on-and-off method is rarely effective. It happened just last night. I did the on-and-off and a few minutes later someone else flashed his brights, but the idiot didn’t get it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712.md?page=153) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712.md?page=155)