# What's your pet peeve(s)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 22, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018 "2016-06-22T05:42:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/101 "2016-07-01T04:41:26Z")
> [@ERON](#): > > You must be very friendly… > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I’m perfectly friendly, it’s why I succeeded in retail as much as I did, but I also understand the dynamic of it. > > You coming into my store isn’t the beginning of a long and prosperous business relationship between us. Even if you’re a regular, it’s pure coincidence that we happen to be there at the same time. > > When someone uses my name and ESPECIALLY when they shake my hand, it bugs me because they’re, to me, making a bigger deal of our interaction than it really is. > > It’s different if we’ve had a few conversations together, or if you’re REALLY a regular. But on the whole, the people who would come up to me and immediately use my name and shake my hand just screamed “fake” to me. I just wanted to add that, at 50 years old, and being in the same business (foodservice) my entire adult life, because I love what I do … … the reason for the nametag is entirely so that you have a name when you complain to corporate. They want a name when you complain, so that they can put the blame on that one named person. “Our employee was not following procedures”. Fuck that. I don’t need a nametag, and I refuse to wear one. (CREDIT: standup comedian who said something about being over 30 and still working a job that required a nametag). Fuck nametags. I will personally place the food I cooked on your plate, and stand there while you eat it, and I will personally TELL you my fucking name. If you didn’t like it, I’ll fucking ask you how I could have done it better. Because I fucking care. I don’t need a fucking corporate overlord to make me do my job right. I’m a fucking awesome cook, and if you didn’t like what I cooked, I’mma not gonna get mad, I’mma gonna ask how I can improve. > [@Biotop](#): > > So someone is shopping and they pick up an item. Then, at some point later in the shop, this shopper decides they do not want the item after all. What does our shopper do? Our shopper just decides to place their rejected item on the nearest shelf they see. Never mind that the item is ice cream, or an expensive steak, or a bucket of hot fried chicken. Unbelievable! > [@Biotop](#): > > I work in a large retail food store and I would never respond so curtly. It is rude. However, there is some misguided notion out there that “the back” of a store contains this massive warehouse of restock not out on the shelves. This is untrue. > > We get deliveries of product almost every day. The ideal is almost nothing should ever be “in the back” because a shelf display should really accommodate everything needed until the next delivery. We are discouraged from having backstock and have very limited space for any. The deliveries come each night and are fully stocked on the display before morning. Over 90% of items are\*\* never\*\* in any kind of backstock at the store. I think this is pretty standard for modern retail. When someone asks me about more of something “in the back” I am usually quite certain there is none there without having to look. > > Alas, this can lead to out-of-stocks when a particular item sells better than expected. But it also means your product is fresh. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/102 "2016-07-01T04:55:58Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > I would like someone to make a effort to go to the back of the store and just look or even pretend to look instead of saying, “what you see is what we have” Why? I agree of course no one should ever be rude. But unless it is Pepsi, Coke, produce, milk, or beer it really IS NOT “in the back” at my large supermarket. Maybe it is different in other types of retail business? I can only speak for grocery. ---
**Author:** ![ERON](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed8c4c/32.png) [@ERON](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ERON)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/103 "2016-07-01T05:37:31Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > Exactly, and all that does is make me send something disrespectful when they could have moved on This explains why you’re single. How long have you been single? ---
**Author:** ![john\_b\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@john\_b\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_b_2)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/104 "2016-07-01T17:00:19Z")
Minor pet peeve, but it can get on my nerves: people who, in public places, talk to themselves,–I do NOT mean those who are mentally ill–in such a way as to attract the attention of others, and who make noises, laugh, do others things, anything, that makes it nearly impossible for anyone close to them, literally within earshot, to focus on something other than them. This happened to me yesterday at a public computer in the library,–thank God I don’t have to use them–when a woman sat down next to me and basically could not keep quiet while I was writing and was trying to keep my thoughts and ideas straight. I did indicate my displeasure, but it seemed so natural to her style there seemed no point in actually complaining. This is not a big deal, I admit, and I think that what annoys me most about it isn’t the noises or words themselves so much, that’s bad but bearable, but the lack of self-knowledge: people who behave like this seem to lack the understanding that they’re seeking attention. Lonely? I dunno. They just do it. This is probably why I’d rather simply move away,–easy enough on a bus, train or in a store–than point things out to them. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/105 "2016-07-01T19:13:22Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Salesmanship. No offense to the wonderful salespeople we no doubt have here on the dope, but this just proves my point. Salespeople are the fakest people I can imagine. Besides, why are THEY selling themselves to ME? Frankly it should be the other way around. > [@cg16](#): > > I would like someone to make a effort to go to the back of the store and just look or even pretend to look instead of saying, “what you see is what we have” What if the person works that department and knows for a fact that they are out of it? I was specialized to one area in my store, I knew what we had on the floor and in the back off the top of my head. Although that phrasing is rather curt for my liking. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/106 "2016-07-01T21:25:10Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > when you ask a store rep if they have any more of a certain item and they said, “what you see is what we have”:mad: Maybe they’re giving you the brush off because they consider you ugly. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/107 "2016-07-02T14:51:42Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > No offense to the wonderful salespeople we no doubt have here on the dope, but this just proves my point. Salespeople are the fakest people I can imagine. The metal building salesmen whose PCs I worked on would lie to their Mothers for a nickel. Well, maybe it would take a dime. But as you say, there are good honest ones here. But I digress. ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/108 "2016-07-02T15:03:16Z")
waiters who constantly come to the table and interrupt your conversation ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/109 "2016-07-02T15:19:08Z")
This isn’t so much a standing pet peeve as one that I just saw, so it’s fresh in my mind. People who drive with their dogs in their laps. Sure, it’s all cute and fun and games - until you get into a fender-bender and your airbag deploys, and the last experience you and your dog will enjoy together is the crunchy feel of him being squashed flat against your chest. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/110 "2016-07-02T15:30:38Z")
> [@Randolph](#): > > This isn’t so much a standing pet peeve as one that I just saw, so it’s fresh in my mind. People who drive with their dogs in their laps. Sure, it’s all cute and fun and games - until you get into a fender-bender and your airbag deploys, and the last experience you and your dog will enjoy together is the crunchy feel of him being squashed flat against your chest. Unless, of course, you’re actually using your dog as a air bag. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/111 "2016-07-02T15:32:18Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > when you ask a store rep if they have any more of a certain item and they said, “what you see is what we have”:mad: Yes, we’re in the business to sell things, so we hide them in the back. Aisle workers know their stock, and my store’s standard reply is “What we have is on the shelves.” But no, they are supposed to waste time going to the back and seeing that nothing is there. Another retail one: People who call to see if you have an item. If you say “no” they keep on “Are you sure? I know I got one there once. Could someone check for me?” If you say “yes” it’s “How many? What brands? What colors? What price? What do you mean, you can’t give prices over the phone?” ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/112 "2016-07-02T15:35:09Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Yes, we’re in the business to sell things, so we hide them in the back. > > Aisle workers know their stock, and my store’s standard reply is “What we have is on the shelves.” But no, they are supposed to waste time going to the back and seeing that nothing is there. > > Another retail one: People who call to see if you have an item. If you say “no” they keep on “Are you sure? I know I got one there once. Could someone check for me?” If you say “yes” it’s “How many? What brands? What colors? What price? What do you mean, you can’t give prices over the phone?” Saying “what you see is what we have” is poor customer service ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/113 "2016-07-02T15:41:51Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > Saying “what you see is what we have” is poor customer service I am still not sure I understand. Is it poor service because of the flippant response? If so, I agree. Is it poor service because the clerk does not go into the back to check for product he/she knows is not there? If so, I disagree. ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/114 "2016-07-02T15:46:16Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I am still not sure I understand. Is it poor service because of the flippant response? If so, I agree. > > Is it poor service because the clerk does not go into the back to check for product he/she knows is not there? If so, I disagree. No because of the flippant response. If the person knows they are out of the product they can simply say.“sorry we out right now but I think we should have more by…” That shows good customer service not like you are just there for a paycheck. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/115 "2016-07-02T15:55:38Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > No because of the flippant response. > > If the person knows they are out of the product they can simply say.“sorry we out right now but I think we should have more by…” > That shows good customer service not like you are just there for a paycheck. OK. I have no problem with that. When I go spend my money somewhere I expect the people there who are hired to help me to actually \* do their jobs\*. Sorry you have had to deal with such lousy service. Shop with a competitor next time. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/116 "2016-07-02T17:17:45Z")
Another pet peeve I thought of: I hate it when someone interrupts me in the middle of a task in order to tell me to do the task that they just interrupted. That drives me crazy. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2016, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/117 "2016-07-03T13:30:12Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Another pet peeve I thought of: I hate it when someone interrupts me in the middle of a task in order to tell me to do the task that they just interrupted. That drives me crazy. But it is a joy when you can tell the guy you just finished. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018/118 "2016-07-03T15:51:57Z")
It used to be Richard Kind, but now that he’s becoming more and more of a fading supernova in my universe, I believe I’m almost completely peeve-free, as I speak. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-pet-peeve-s/758018.md?page=5)