# What ultimately insignificant things manage to bother you anyway? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430 "2010-11-04T06:19:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/41 "2010-11-10T15:55:23Z")
> [@supergalactic](#): > > Putting my fries ON TOP of the burger in the bag at the drive-thru. Why do they do that? I keep forgetting to tell them to put the fries on the bottom. šŸ˜• Why does that matter to you? Iā€™d never even thought about it, but I guess Iā€™d rather have the fries on top so I can grab a few while theyā€™re still piping hot. Curious: why do you prefer it the other way? šŸ˜• ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/42 "2010-11-10T15:59:31Z")
I would like to add 1. Coworkers who use those ridiculous stationary backgrounds on their emails (dramatically increasing the size of each email) 2. Email policies that both add tiny limits to my available storage and lock out the ability to archive emails to a pst file. Deleteing email for a project that is still ongoing makes my skin crawl and yetā€¦ I must. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/43 "2010-11-10T16:39:17Z")
> [@Grapefruit](#): > > Oh, and this other time I saw a father shove the stroller out while at an intersection to force cars to stop so he could cross. Wowā€¦ father of the year! Bugs me these people are allowed to procreate, but ultimately, itā€™s their kids who pay the priceā€¦ Are you saying he shoved his child into oncoming traffic? Dear God! I get nervous when I see people dangling their strollers at the curb, with barely a hand on them to keep the stroller from rolling into the street. ---
**Author:** ![silvermist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@silvermist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silvermist)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/44 "2010-11-10T17:07:58Z")
People who pull into their driveways, shut their cars off and just sit there. Are they too tired to get out and walk to the door? Are they afraid to go inside? ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/45 "2010-11-10T17:10:26Z")
If they put the napkins on the bottom, they will soak up all the grease from the fries above, and we will realize how greasy the fries are. We would rather not know. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/46 "2010-11-10T17:23:24Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Are you saying he shoved his child into oncoming traffic? Dear God! Iā€™ve seen people shove an occupied stroller into the Metro train doors to physically block them from closing. Note that the Metro train doors do not automatically re-open like elevator doors. Usually a driver manually releases a trapped person by cycling the doors again, but every once in a while the train starts moving with someoneā€™s arm or bag stuck in there. Shudder. But why wait for another train, or risk your handbag, when you can use the new amazing Babyā„¢ brand live doorstop??? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/47 "2010-11-10T17:32:24Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Soft returns, people. Soft returns! In my professional life, I occasionally have to fix line breaks that separate units of measurement: > [@](#): > > The project will be completed by the end of FY > 2010. > [@](#): > > The flooding rate was estimated to be 3,000 > gpm (gallons per minute). Every once in a great while, one of these breaks across a _page_ too, so the current page ends with ā€œ90ā€ and the new page begins with ā€œĀ°F in the heat exchanger.ā€ Those are exquisitely cringe-inducing. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/48 "2010-11-10T17:51:32Z")
I drive a lot. I use the cruise control. Do not pass me and then go slower than the speed at which my cruise control has been set for over an hour! What is the fucking point in that? ETA: Yeah, and what exactly is the problem with the fries on top of the burger? ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/49 "2010-11-10T18:40:13Z")
I hate the phrases ā€œGirls night out,ā€ ā€œGuys night out,ā€ and when someone refers to a garage or home theater or whatever as a ā€œman cave.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![supergalactic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@supergalactic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergalactic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/50 "2010-11-10T19:37:25Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > šŸ˜• Why does that matter to you? Iā€™d never even thought about it, but I guess Iā€™d rather have the fries on top so I can grab a few while theyā€™re still piping hot. Curious: why do you prefer it the other way? šŸ˜• Because I donā€™t want a shitload of fries falling between my seats when I pull the entire fucking container of fries out to get to the burger. If I walk in and eat there I donā€™t give 2 shits about it. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/51 "2010-11-10T19:40:02Z")
> [@supergalactic](#): > > Because I donā€™t want a shitload of fries falling between my seats when I pull the entire fucking container of fries out to get to the burger. > > If I walk in and eat there I donā€™t give 2 shits about it. Maybe you could, you know, get out of your automobile at meal times like a civilised person? šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/52 "2010-11-10T19:45:30Z")
Two spaces after a period. Drives me nuts. Neglecting to insert a space between the number and the unit (e.g. ā€œ72Ā°Cā€). Thereā€™s supposed to be a space, damn it! Cops who speed when light bar is off. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/53 "2010-11-10T19:46:55Z")
> [@silvermist](#): > > People who pull into their driveways, shut their cars off and just sit there. Are they too tired to get out and walk to the door? Are they afraid to go inside? Oooh! I can explain this one. Whenever I come home I need a few seconds to gather myself for the onslaught of the kids. Just a second of deep breathing can get me prepared. It is my driveway, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Barrett\_Bonden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@Barrett\_Bonden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrett_Bonden)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/54 "2010-11-10T19:58:51Z")
My street is lined with huge houses that all have huge driveways that apparently are too fragile to be parked upon. Why? Why must you park in the street? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/55 "2010-11-10T20:07:05Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Neglecting to insert a space between the number and the unit (e.g. ā€œ72Ā°Cā€). Thereā€™s supposed to be a space, damn it! Where would you put the space? The _unit_ is degrees. A formal style [cite](http://www2.ucar.edu/style-guide/d), from a group that uses degrees professionally, > [@University Corporation for Atmospheric Research](#): > > degreesā€”use the degree symbol closed up: 30Ā°N (in nontechnical writing, 30Ā° north), 30Ā°C. Similarly, think of feet and inches: 60ā€™ 6". The units are appended directly to the numerals. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/56 "2010-11-10T23:10:52Z")
> [@silvermist](#): > > People who pull into their driveways, shut their cars off and just sit there. Are they too tired to get out and walk to the door? Are they afraid to go inside? My husband does this. It drives our cat _bonkers_. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/57 "2010-11-11T02:23:19Z")
> [@silvermist](#): > > People who pull into their driveways, shut their cars off and just sit there. Are they too tired to get out and walk to the door? Are they afraid to go inside? > [@perfectparanoia](#): > > Oooh! I can explain this one. Whenever I come home I need a few seconds to gather myself for the onslaught of the kids. Just a second of deep breathing can get me prepared. It is my driveway, after all. > [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > My husband does this. It drives our cat _bonkers_. I was going to ask if the people sitting in their cars are women - I donā€™t even have kids, and I used to sit in my car for a few minutes at home before going in just to rest for a bit. Once I get inside, thereā€™s supper to make and stuff to clean and cats to play with and laundry to start and things to tidy and bills to pay and grocery lists to make and and andā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/58 "2010-11-11T02:25:29Z")
The sound of mechanical pencils. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/59 "2010-11-11T02:46:10Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Where would you put the space? > > The _unit_ is degrees. > > A formal style [cite](http://www2.ucar.edu/style-guide/d), from a group that uses degrees professionally, > > Similarly, think of feet and inches: 60ā€™ 6". The units are appended directly to the numerals. I understand there should \*not \*be a space when using the degree symbol (for angle) and feet/inches. But itā€™s my understanding those are exceptions to the rule. For temperature (and all other units), there should always be a space between the number and the unit. ---
**Author:** ![supergalactic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@supergalactic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergalactic)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430/60 "2010-11-11T05:30:19Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Maybe you could, you know, get out of your automobile at meal times like a civilised person? šŸ˜› What do you care where I eat? Maybe you should focus on spelling, instead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ultimately-insignificant-things-manage-to-bother-you-anyway/559430.md?page=4)