You know those little things in life that bother us? A co-workers unique laugh? The way your partner loads the dishwasher? People who don't pick up after their dog? Whatever you call them - pet peeve is the usual term - they are the little annoyances that grate on our nerves like fingernails on a blackboard. We know it's irrational to be bothered and yet we are completely irritated every time we come across someone doing them.
With the hope of having them irritate a little less the next time, I'd like to share a couple of mine. Please keep in mind these are in no particular order. They are all equal-opportunity irritants.
Sneezing. Like I said, completely irrational, I know. When someone sneezes it makes me crazy. When I sneeze it makes me crazy. When my husband sneezes his usual five or six sneezes in a row, it makes me crazy. I have no idea why, and I know there is nothing that can be done about a sneeze, but it is what it is.
Shuffling feet. Someone shuffling their feet is so annoying that I just want to run up to them and scream (like a drill sergeant) "pick up your feet!" I mean really. Is it for effect so everyone will look at them? Are they really that tired that they can't manage to lift their feet an inch off the ground when they walk? I just don't get it.
Smoking just outside the entrance of a building. You think you are doing us all a big favor by going outside to smoke your nasty cigarette but really, when you stand that close to either side of the door, we still have to walk through your haze of carcinogenic smoke. You might as well light up sitting with me at my desk for all the good you are actually doing.
Public grooming. This is a big one for me. Huge. If you are out in public, I don't want to see you combing your hair, clipping your fingernails (gag) or flossing your teeth. There are just some things that should be done in the privacy of your own home. In the bathroom. With the door shut and locked.
So there you have it. Just a few of the things that irritate me on a regular basis. I'm sure I could think of more but really, don't we all have better things to do?
