Things That Annoy Me

Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.91.21
Current Song - My City Was Gone (The Pretenders)

Having worked with the public for nearly five years at gas stations, I have seen people from all walks of life. Likewise, there are many things that annoy me about certain people and certain things. I'm someone who tries to figure out the world around me, apparently since I'm stuck in my own.

People will do these things, and I have to quietly ask myself "WHY?" or end up slapping my hand on my forehead. These are pet peeves and more than them.

These are things that annoy me. I have a short list, and you can complete it. Maybe we can understand what gives for all of these, and all of yours (in a "trading post" fashion).



These are things that annoy me:

1. People who look at this list and proceed to say or do something on this list to see how I will react. My condition makes me very vulnerable to teasing, and I don't like it.

2. People walking inside during the winter and saying that it's cold outside. Well, DUH!!! It's not a conversation piece anymore, it's meant to make you feel better. Cut the puppy eyes.

3. People that pronounce "pennies" like "pEEnEEs" or "pinees." They're probably obsolete, but quit making them seem cute. The first part of the word "pennies" is "pen," which is pronounced with a schwa (the upside down 'e').

4. They are GIFT cards, not GAS cards. So much for the "special" part of the present.

5. People who refuse to buy the Dixon Telegraph if there are no Sterling Gazettes left. The same stories are in the two papers, just three or four pages off. If this bothers you, it tells me you have little patience.

6. People who see an "Out of Order" sign, and then ask if it's out of order.

7. When a discription of a complaint has a TON of "I"s, "me"s and "my"s. The first person isn't going to solve the problem, it's just going to solve YOUR problem. So much for "making a difference."

8. When there are not enough parking spaces to accomodate a crowd. There's a particular basketball game I attend every two years at this location. It's been going on for nearly 100 years. What's worse is when you're forced to park in a business's parking lot DOWNHILL from the building, and have to walk up it and then down it. Bonus points: Name the school.

9. I've never fully understood the infatuation with Copenhagen Snuff chewing tobacco. Apparently it's fresh until it's coming right from the assembly line right after canning? Send it to the warehouse, and apparently it's stale? So it nerves me to hear about stale Copenhagen. Yet, the company can't seem to make a product that lasts?

10. When there are no rosters at the door at high school sports contests. Tournaments I understand, but when it's two teams going against each other how are we supposed to know who is who? The PA isn't enough.

11. Black Friday clerks asking you whether or not you'd like to apply for their shopping card, or talk about some special offer. Take this garbage talk out and the lines would move more, and perhaps Friday will be less "black."

12. Those who can't figure out the difference between a school's "conference" and "division."

13. Wrestling fans who cringe when they hear the word "basketball." You don't hear basketball fans cringe when they hear "wrestling."

14. Bill facing. Period. When a single is turned over, folded, or slightly tilted, it's still a one-dollar bill.

15. The Northern Illinois Big 12 bowling and golf scoring formats. Bowling is scored on individual vs. individual, while the conference golf tournament is composed of "conference points" rather than the performance at the tournament. Is it really that necessary to be unique? It's like you're demanding attention.

16. People announcing to me the price of the item at another store. What do you want me to do about it? Another thing about that: are we high, or are they low?

17. "Call it both ways!" (My high school sports peeps don't need an explanation on this one.)

18. I have not, and will not, buy a Garmin, Tom Tom or any other GPS system. That being said, I can't stand people who drive while using the system as the only means of navigation, and not looking at the signs posted.

19. (feel free to comment to add to this list)