i know it sounds simple…but when i try to define the exact characteristics of what exactly makes someone annoying - i find myself going in circles. any input?
Not knowing how to use capital letters.
Being oblivious to their behaviors that set people on edge. Everyone has them, an annoying person either just doesn’t know it or doesn’t care.
Seconded.
It’s you. Don’t let them bother you.
perfect. thank you.
Usually, breathing makes someone annoying to me. There are a few exceptions, but not very many.
Often when I find someone inexplicably annoying, it turns out that they exhibit traits that I also have. I think I’m terribly witty and clever and edgy and funny, etc., then I meet someone who is like that and at first I’m annoyed but don’t know why. Then they say or do something that I’d do myself, and the horrible realization dawns…
Non-breathers are annoying too. For one thing, they smell terrible.
You don’t have to yell…
Please refrain from scratching your fungus-infected fingernails on this brand-new blackboard.
To me the primary characteristic of annoying people is what I would call “willful obtuseness”. I can excuse people from being rude or oblivious once or twice, but when someone exhibits a pattern of that kind of behavior, that is fucking annoying.
Yeah, I have this same thing.
And now I can’t stand you…
Of course this isn’t simple. What you might find annoying, I might find tolerable or wonderful, even. And vice versa.
I find boisterous, opinionated, talkative people annoying. Even the ones who don’t start off annoying eventually become that way. But most people tend to lean more towards that end of the spectrum than they are subdued, inhibited, and quiet, so obviously I’m the one with the problem. They’re probably looking at me and thinking I’m the annoying one because I’m sitting there looking at everyone, not laughing at dumb jokes, and not “getting along.” Whatever. We all have our quirks and hot buttons. I try to take people as they are and then move away from them when I’ve had my fill.
“Obnoxious” is probably a little more clear-cut than “annoying.” It would be hard to describe a quiet, non-intrusive person as obnoxious, and likewise a jovial, amicable, social person. I reserve obnoxious for people who should have a clue but do not. Like people who are extremely nosy or cannot be serious for just half a second. They may not be this way purposefully, but it still grates.
One particularly annoying trait that I hope to have unlearned is avoiding social rejection by making use of social convention. For instance instead of saying “Hi!” to someone I might have said “Hi! How did that “thing that you mentioned last time we spoke you were going to do” go?” and so they’re tied to either engaging into the conversation or a breach of social norms; which is a slight but annoying form or coercion.
Basically what makes most people annoying boils down to an obliviousness about how their behavior or actions affect or disrupt other people. For example:
-The girlfriend who keeps chatting your ear off about her day while you are trying to get some work done.
-The boss who keeps interrupting you to talk about some great idea he is so excited about which will cause you to work all weekend.
-The coworker who prattles on about her cat.
-Dullwitted tourists who waddle down the street at half speed and then pause in the subway turnstyle to look at something inane.
-Le Jerk who hijacks every thread into their own personal soapbox.
-The loudmouth drunk who keeps badgering people to LETS DO SHOTS!!
And of course certain noises or smells are unpleasent, which is unfortunate if those noises or smells come from a particular person.
If they are so quiet to the point of being totally unresponsive, then that is pretty obnoxious.
Moved thread to IMHO from Great Debates.
You make me sick…
I came in here to say this! That’s actually how I knew I found the man for me: after 2 weeks of dating, the sound of his breathing did not cause me to grit/grind my teeth.
Once again, the Family Circus has covered this topic
