Denna diskussion är för närvarande "vilande"—det sista inlägget är mer än 90 dagar gammalt. Du kan återstarta det genom att svara på inlägget.
1mckait
People who do not use turn signals.
Parents who send their kids to school sick..
What are some of yours?
Parents who send their kids to school sick..
What are some of yours?
2NeverStopTrying
People who won't play "each one let one go" during rush hour merges.
Senior managers who say "everyone's replaceable" when, in fact, WHO you have to work with is of critical importance.
How hard it is to find healthy quick food without too much salt.
Bum knees.
That's a start.
Senior managers who say "everyone's replaceable" when, in fact, WHO you have to work with is of critical importance.
How hard it is to find healthy quick food without too much salt.
Bum knees.
That's a start.
4mckait
We had a pretty bad rainstorm here on Wednesday, 3-4+ inches of rain during the afternoon and early evening. All of our local stations stopped regular programming to cover the RAIN!!!!!!!!
It was rain.. some winds and tornado warnings.. but it was RAIN!
Now .. the people who were most affected should not have been there watching tv, they should have been getting to safety, or getting their things to a safe place.
I absolutely HATE when they do this. They can always run a crawl or break in.. but to have 6 hours or so of coverage is absurd.
Not, mind you that there is anything good on tv these days, its just the principle ~
eta
they are predicting another storm today ... *groan*
It was rain.. some winds and tornado warnings.. but it was RAIN!
Now .. the people who were most affected should not have been there watching tv, they should have been getting to safety, or getting their things to a safe place.
I absolutely HATE when they do this. They can always run a crawl or break in.. but to have 6 hours or so of coverage is absurd.
Not, mind you that there is anything good on tv these days, its just the principle ~
eta
they are predicting another storm today ... *groan*
5karenmarie
My biggest pet peeve is tailgaters. North Carolinians act like it's their God-given right to tailgate.
A recent and highly visible peeve is snotty salesmen/women who call our Info Systems Helpdesk and, not knowing my boss's name, try to demand that I either let them speak with him or put them through to his voicemail even though I explain that company policy prevents me from divulging employee names. His voicemail identifies his name so I can't put them through. All I can do is take a message. Some give in gracefully, but most just act offended and try to get around me. Jerks.
A recent and highly visible peeve is snotty salesmen/women who call our Info Systems Helpdesk and, not knowing my boss's name, try to demand that I either let them speak with him or put them through to his voicemail even though I explain that company policy prevents me from divulging employee names. His voicemail identifies his name so I can't put them through. All I can do is take a message. Some give in gracefully, but most just act offended and try to get around me. Jerks.
6EdGoldberg
Parents who speak for their children.
People who don't answer the question asked.
People who multitask while walking or driving.
Computers that freeze.
People who don't answer the question asked.
People who multitask while walking or driving.
Computers that freeze.
7mckait
people who speak to someone in a wheelchair as if their mind is gone, not their ability to walk... or talk to the person with them instead.
people who do not understand that sometimes people just need to be left alone.
ditto the multi-tasking in cars thing.
people who do not understand that sometimes people just need to be left alone.
ditto the multi-tasking in cars thing.
8Collectorator
Medlemmem har stängts av.
10Collectorator
Medlemmem har stängts av.
11txpam
Bank of America
talking on cellphones while *trying* to drive
online job applications (each one is different)
not answering the question asked
talking on cellphones while *trying* to drive
online job applications (each one is different)
not answering the question asked
12Collectorator
Medlemmem har stängts av.
13loriephillips
People who invade my personal space. (get out of my face)
People who honk and flip me off, especially when it's their driving error and not mine. (kiss my ---)
People who come to visit and spend most of the time talking on their cell phone. (turn it off for heavens sake)
Parents who won't discipline their kids, so the kids don't learn self discipline and can't get along with anybody because they're spoiled and selfish brats. (what an injustice to the kids)
:)
People who honk and flip me off, especially when it's their driving error and not mine. (kiss my ---)
People who come to visit and spend most of the time talking on their cell phone. (turn it off for heavens sake)
Parents who won't discipline their kids, so the kids don't learn self discipline and can't get along with anybody because they're spoiled and selfish brats. (what an injustice to the kids)
:)
14karenmarie
Speaking of kids, a big peeve I have is not written thank yous from kids in my family. Our 13-year old boy cousin never sends thank yous for Christmas presents. His mother always bemoans the fact, but never forces the issue. His 11-year old sister, on the other hand, usually writes a thank you at the Christmas gathering, draws a picture with it, and hands it to us.
My 30-year old niece and my 28-year old nephew never acknowledge our Christmas gifts. I still send them gifts because they go to my sister/brother-in-law's for Christmas, so sending to just Mike and Laura would be pretty nasty and probably precipitate a family crisis.
But I did stop sending them birthday presents.
My almost-16-year old daughter is required to write thank yous. So far, so good. Admittedly she may turn out to be jerky when she's on her own, but at least for now she's acknowledging gifts properly.
My 30-year old niece and my 28-year old nephew never acknowledge our Christmas gifts. I still send them gifts because they go to my sister/brother-in-law's for Christmas, so sending to just Mike and Laura would be pretty nasty and probably precipitate a family crisis.
But I did stop sending them birthday presents.
My almost-16-year old daughter is required to write thank yous. So far, so good. Admittedly she may turn out to be jerky when she's on her own, but at least for now she's acknowledging gifts properly.
15jennieg
If it's any comfort, karenmarie, that's one lesson that stuck with my girls, now grown up. We used to sit down Christmas afternoon and write thank yous.
17mckait
Beating a dead horse, so to speak.
( what a revolting way to put it eh?)
I see a lot of it round these parts.
( what a revolting way to put it eh?)
I see a lot of it round these parts.
18ejj1955
Pretty much all of the above.
Plus: religious fundamentalists, right wingers, know-nothings, prejudiced people, people who hate groups.
Aggressive salespeople.
Bad grammar and punctuation, especially the confusion of its/it's, they're/their/there, your/you're, and than/then (that one I've only noticed in the last year or two, but it's everywhere).
My power-tool-mad, early rising neighbor.
People obsessed with age or looks.
People who drink too much alcohol.
Anti-intellectuals.
Plus: religious fundamentalists, right wingers, know-nothings, prejudiced people, people who hate groups.
Aggressive salespeople.
Bad grammar and punctuation, especially the confusion of its/it's, they're/their/there, your/you're, and than/then (that one I've only noticed in the last year or two, but it's everywhere).
My power-tool-mad, early rising neighbor.
People obsessed with age or looks.
People who drink too much alcohol.
Anti-intellectuals.
19ejj1955
And one more: people who think that if you are self-employed, you must be available for nice long phone conversations at any time of the day or night.
20loriephillips
#18 Right on. I'm with you.
22tymfos
> 18-21 pet peeve: "prejudiced people" ???
Sounds like you're a little prejudiced against conservatives. They're not all narrow-minded nuts, you know. I know some very nice fundamentalists (and I'm not one) who don't shove their beliefs down my throat, and my Republican husband would probably qualify for at least a fringe right-winger. (Me, I'm just a dyed-in-the-wool middle-of-the-road-to-liberal Democrat.)
My pet peeve is people who say they hate prejudice, but have their own prejudices. But then, I guess that's all of us. It seems an unfortunate fact of human nature.
Maybe I'm in the wrong group. Do you want me to leave?
Sounds like you're a little prejudiced against conservatives. They're not all narrow-minded nuts, you know. I know some very nice fundamentalists (and I'm not one) who don't shove their beliefs down my throat, and my Republican husband would probably qualify for at least a fringe right-winger. (Me, I'm just a dyed-in-the-wool middle-of-the-road-to-liberal Democrat.)
My pet peeve is people who say they hate prejudice, but have their own prejudices. But then, I guess that's all of us. It seems an unfortunate fact of human nature.
Maybe I'm in the wrong group. Do you want me to leave?
23mckait
nope~ I am sure 18 meant a certain group of conservatives .. not all..
I am a liberal .. mostly... but that is no way to judge folsk..
I do admit that gvvave me pause for a sec, but I decided benefit of the doubt was the wya to go..
no leaving tymfos.. ! please?
I am a liberal .. mostly... but that is no way to judge folsk..
I do admit that gvvave me pause for a sec, but I decided benefit of the doubt was the wya to go..
no leaving tymfos.. ! please?
26staffordcastle
>18 ejj1955: To add the the grammatical list: affect/effect.
27ejj1955
By all means, don't leave, Tymfos. Yes, I was trying to target a subgroup of conservatives; nearly my whole family is Republican, and only one of them is obnoxious about it. My personal preference is for a fairly liberal political stance.
And yes, I do have my prejudices--the above is a list of them. In some ways, prejudices are just another name for opinions or preferences. But what I meant, specifically, are people who are prejudiced on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, age, appearance, etc.
*edited to add: and I hope I was clear in the grammatical section--I hate the errors, not the writers/speakers. The list of reasons for people to make these errors is long--age, experience, bad teaching, English not their first language, and so on. But I wish people who put apostrophes in their plurals would stop making up quizzes on FaceBook.
And yes, I do have my prejudices--the above is a list of them. In some ways, prejudices are just another name for opinions or preferences. But what I meant, specifically, are people who are prejudiced on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, age, appearance, etc.
*edited to add: and I hope I was clear in the grammatical section--I hate the errors, not the writers/speakers. The list of reasons for people to make these errors is long--age, experience, bad teaching, English not their first language, and so on. But I wish people who put apostrophes in their plurals would stop making up quizzes on FaceBook.
28tymfos
OK!
I agree with disliking those prejudices named in Message 27. (I'd add disability/ "differently abled" to that list, as I have a son on the autism spectrum.)
I would like to add the caveat, however, that freedom of religion ought to apply to conservative Christians too, even when they think they are right and others are wrong (after all, don't we all?), as long as they are not hateful about it. My husband always complains that the only group it's "politically correct" to bash are conservative Christians. (And, no, I wouldn't label him a fundamentalist by any stretch of the imagination, though he's a tad on the conservative side.)
I have to admit to a certain annoyance with errors of punctuation, spelling, grammar, etc., particularly in formal writing by those whose profession is supposed to be in the fields of writing and editing. (I don't expect anything close to total accuracy on non-professional Internet postings.) Poorly punctuated signs drive me crazy, too. We had a business in town with a sign that read "Smiths Computer's" (name changed to protect the guilty). I wanted to ask, "Smiths Computer's what?" You'll note that Eats, Shoots and Leaves is in my my "read by not owned" collection! I highly recommend it to other punctuation perfectionists.
I agree with disliking those prejudices named in Message 27. (I'd add disability/ "differently abled" to that list, as I have a son on the autism spectrum.)
I would like to add the caveat, however, that freedom of religion ought to apply to conservative Christians too, even when they think they are right and others are wrong (after all, don't we all?), as long as they are not hateful about it. My husband always complains that the only group it's "politically correct" to bash are conservative Christians. (And, no, I wouldn't label him a fundamentalist by any stretch of the imagination, though he's a tad on the conservative side.)
I have to admit to a certain annoyance with errors of punctuation, spelling, grammar, etc., particularly in formal writing by those whose profession is supposed to be in the fields of writing and editing. (I don't expect anything close to total accuracy on non-professional Internet postings.) Poorly punctuated signs drive me crazy, too. We had a business in town with a sign that read "Smiths Computer's" (name changed to protect the guilty). I wanted to ask, "Smiths Computer's what?" You'll note that Eats, Shoots and Leaves is in my my "read by not owned" collection! I highly recommend it to other punctuation perfectionists.
29PhaedraB
28>
My husband always complains that the only group it's "politically correct" to bash are conservative Christians.
Hmmm, I complain that the last acceptable group to bash is American Southerners. Of course, most people associate the South with conservative Christianity. Either way, it's too broad a brush.
My husband always complains that the only group it's "politically correct" to bash are conservative Christians.
Hmmm, I complain that the last acceptable group to bash is American Southerners. Of course, most people associate the South with conservative Christianity. Either way, it's too broad a brush.
31Collectorator
Medlemmem har stängts av.
32Jim53
#5 I'm with ya on the tailgaters, KM. I drive 2+ miles on a two-lane road to and from work each day, and I count it a good day if there's noone almost in my back seat.
33LA12Hernandez
>31 Collectorator:
I agree with you. I hate it when a customer wants to argue with management about something and states "I don't see a sign anywhere! How Am I suppose to know?" That is when you point out a 4 foot by 6 foot sign, right behind you, in their line of vision and read it to them. Which in a huff they state that they CAN read but the sign wasn't there yesterday.
I agree with you. I hate it when a customer wants to argue with management about something and states "I don't see a sign anywhere! How Am I suppose to know?" That is when you point out a 4 foot by 6 foot sign, right behind you, in their line of vision and read it to them. Which in a huff they state that they CAN read but the sign wasn't there yesterday.
34PkrImperatrix
All of the above (pretty much).
And: people who LEAVE THE TURN SIGNAL ON FOREEEEEVVVVVVVERRRRRR!
*grump*
And: people who LEAVE THE TURN SIGNAL ON FOREEEEEVVVVVVVERRRRRR!
*grump*
35countrylife
accept / except
I sometimes buy books on eBay. Surprising how many sellers say something like "I except paypal for payment." No you don't, honey. That's pretty much the opposite of what you meant to say.
I sometimes buy books on eBay. Surprising how many sellers say something like "I except paypal for payment." No you don't, honey. That's pretty much the opposite of what you meant to say.
37tymfos
I have a new pet peeve. Our borough (that's sort of Pennsylvania-speak for town) has an ordinance pending that would require people to get a permit (with a fee) to move into or move out of town. How un-American can you get? (Have you ever heard of such a thing?)
38ejj1955
>37 tymfos: This sounds very totalitarian-government-ish. Wrong, very wrong. Possibly unconstitutional. Has anyone alerted the ACLU?
41PkrImperatrix
and "affect" when what is meant is "effect" -- and vice versa
42PkrImperatrix
AND the over-coverage of celebrities: deaths, divorces, trials, problems.........
Isn't that what "Extra!" and the like are there for?
oh, and people ranting about dangling participles....;-)
Isn't that what "Extra!" and the like are there for?
oh, and people ranting about dangling participles....;-)
43tymfos
>38 ejj1955: First, I'm going to try to talk to someone on the Borough Council to see what it's all about and why in the world they would want to do a thing like that. All I know was what was in the newspaper, and the details weren't too clear.
44staffordcastle
Sounds like a scam to raise money, tymfos! There may not be any other reason.
45ejj1955
>42 PkrImperatrix: Boy, howdy, yeah. What was it with every channel on TV covering the emotional weepfest of Jackson's funeral? Messed up my whole day, preempting The Price Is Right like that.
46tloeffler
Our entire hospital system had to block all streaming videos yesterday afternoon because people watching on their work computers were clogging up the system. Boy howdy is right.
My own little pet peeve? The misuse of "nauseous" and "nauseated." It shouldn't make me crazy because it's so widespread, but it does. Nauseates me.
My own little pet peeve? The misuse of "nauseous" and "nauseated." It shouldn't make me crazy because it's so widespread, but it does. Nauseates me.
47mckait
So after years of asking to have the LR fan replaced. I told the husband I am buying fans and paying to have them put up. enough! There are things I have been waiting 20 years for him to fix. No exaggeration.
I bought the fans. The one in the LR now, he put up. He took down the old one 4.5 hours ago. No electricity since then, so no a/c no lights no nothing.
He has taken at least 10 smoke breaks. He is a millwright. He took a series of 3 classes on home wiring at the community college. He does pipefitting. Why is this so hard? My son put the identical fan up in his home in 30 minutes..
I am dripping, humid hot and not a happy kath.
One of the fans.. I bought it 3 yrs ago, is for his BR. I just bought one for mine. The next one, I hire help. RANT over ( not really but )
I bought the fans. The one in the LR now, he put up. He took down the old one 4.5 hours ago. No electricity since then, so no a/c no lights no nothing.
He has taken at least 10 smoke breaks. He is a millwright. He took a series of 3 classes on home wiring at the community college. He does pipefitting. Why is this so hard? My son put the identical fan up in his home in 30 minutes..
I am dripping, humid hot and not a happy kath.
One of the fans.. I bought it 3 yrs ago, is for his BR. I just bought one for mine. The next one, I hire help. RANT over ( not really but )
48staffordcastle
Can your son come over and "help"? ;-)
49tloeffler
THIS is why I don't have a husband!
After an hour this morning on my arthritic knees, pulling weeds and putting in some kind of "weed block" fabric over 1/10th of the area in my front yard (so my 74-year-old father can landscape it like he wants to), I called my daughter-in-law and told her that my only regret in life was that I didn't have any sons who could help me with that stuff (I actually have 3, one of whom LIVES HERE). Almost as bad as a husband.
Kath, time for a beer. Or whatever.
After an hour this morning on my arthritic knees, pulling weeds and putting in some kind of "weed block" fabric over 1/10th of the area in my front yard (so my 74-year-old father can landscape it like he wants to), I called my daughter-in-law and told her that my only regret in life was that I didn't have any sons who could help me with that stuff (I actually have 3, one of whom LIVES HERE). Almost as bad as a husband.
Kath, time for a beer. Or whatever.
50mckait
oh, I would love a beer~~~~~~~eta wish we could meet for one.. or two..
All three of my sons live in other states. Their father told them and their sister that PA is the worst state, nothing here for them... blah blah blah
project nearing completion. 3 fans to go and numerous other projects. When his sister snaps her fingers he goes running to do her bidding. bah humbug
well.. it is nearly done and I can vacuum ( again) and watch it go round and round.
All three of my sons live in other states. Their father told them and their sister that PA is the worst state, nothing here for them... blah blah blah
project nearing completion. 3 fans to go and numerous other projects. When his sister snaps her fingers he goes running to do her bidding. bah humbug
well.. it is nearly done and I can vacuum ( again) and watch it go round and round.
51countrylife
My husband is the opposite. I grew up thinking that a to-do list was a helpful thing to keep going all the time; to add to as thoughts occurred and to subtract from as jobs were finished. A tool to consult when a day gave you some free 'work' time.
Hubby is wired differently. He sees a to-do list as a list of things that must be finished NOW. It wears ME out. 'Hold this' and 'bring me that' and 'run to the garage and get me such and such'. 'No, stay put and let the baby cry a little longer; we're almost done'. Or, 'no, we're not far enough along for you to stop and fix dinner'. Followed by the 'finally finished; I'm starving; when's dinner gonna be ready? WHAT? Then bring me something to tide me over'.
Even though I'm frazzled by the end of it, I've gotta say - he gets stuff done!
Hubby is wired differently. He sees a to-do list as a list of things that must be finished NOW. It wears ME out. 'Hold this' and 'bring me that' and 'run to the garage and get me such and such'. 'No, stay put and let the baby cry a little longer; we're almost done'. Or, 'no, we're not far enough along for you to stop and fix dinner'. Followed by the 'finally finished; I'm starving; when's dinner gonna be ready? WHAT? Then bring me something to tide me over'.
Even though I'm frazzled by the end of it, I've gotta say - he gets stuff done!
52mckait
count your blessings country. seriously~
in nearly 40 years you would think I would have gotten used to it. I am
more like your husband.. if a thing needs done I do it and be done with it.. get it
over with now. Not so much with him...
I guess some things, you just never get used to.
in nearly 40 years you would think I would have gotten used to it. I am
more like your husband.. if a thing needs done I do it and be done with it.. get it
over with now. Not so much with him...
I guess some things, you just never get used to.
53arubabookwoman
As my grandfather used to say, "Husbands are a sorry lot." :)
55Rowntree
I have no husband/s, ;-) and my children are all four-legged and furry (i.e. not much good at bringing me the other kind of screwdriver, when I'm up on a ladder!) but my older sister came over and mowed the lawn for me when I put my back out a few weeks ago.
56ejj1955
Sisters are good. Mine is feeding and housing me this week. I feel very well taken care of.
57mckait
nice... sisters are good...I have one too!
ej, are you okay? or just being pampered because you have a good sister?
ej, are you okay? or just being pampered because you have a good sister?
58ejj1955
Yes! thanks--I just happen to be with her because we were going to go to a family funeral (more on that saga in the good news/bad news thread, I think it was). But the pampering is just a result of being here--and I'm pampering her back some, yesterday by driving when she didn't want to and tonight by making dinner.
60ejj1955
Sorry: http://www.librarything.com/topic/68648
But the short version is that on our way to the funeral we stopped to check on my brother-in-law's mother because she wasn't answering her phone; she had fallen (possibly a couple of days ago?--we thought she was dead, frankly); so instead of the funeral we spent the day in the hospital. She's sort of okay, but really needs to live in assisted living and doesn't want to. And though I'm sorry for her, she's fairly unpleasant . . . I wish I could have been with my cousins, etc., this weekend. But life just throws this stuff in the way sometimes.
Not that short a version, I guess . . .
Pet peeve (to return to the thread topic): getting old, which sucks! (but less than the alternative)
But the short version is that on our way to the funeral we stopped to check on my brother-in-law's mother because she wasn't answering her phone; she had fallen (possibly a couple of days ago?--we thought she was dead, frankly); so instead of the funeral we spent the day in the hospital. She's sort of okay, but really needs to live in assisted living and doesn't want to. And though I'm sorry for her, she's fairly unpleasant . . . I wish I could have been with my cousins, etc., this weekend. But life just throws this stuff in the way sometimes.
Not that short a version, I guess . . .
Pet peeve (to return to the thread topic): getting old, which sucks! (but less than the alternative)
61theretiredlibrarian
people who talk on cell phones when getting waited on, driving, or in a social situations (husband is a one of the worst offenders)...We go out to eat nearly every Friday w/ 2 other couples and one of them has her cell phone out constantly. Husband & I keep count each week...her record is 7 times...has to show us new pics of grandchildren, check basketball/baseball scores, answer a trivia question, etc etc. I find it rude to talk on the phone when there are people with you. And don't get me started on blue tooth...
getting in line behind someone buying lottery tickets. I don't know why, but it just ticks me off to have to wait while they decide which of the 15 different scratch-offs they want. I don't have the same reaction to people buying cigarettes.
getting in line behind someone buying lottery tickets. I don't know why, but it just ticks me off to have to wait while they decide which of the 15 different scratch-offs they want. I don't have the same reaction to people buying cigarettes.
62karenmarie
#61 theexiledlibrarian - The following only happened to me once, but a man was scratching his $1 tickets as the clerk was getting him the next batch and he was turning in the wins to buy new ones. Pitiful. I think I was too stunned to actually complain about it and by the time I got up my nerve he'd lost all his money and couldn't get new ones.
63WholeHouseLibrary
Pets. It's a long story....
64mckait
#60 Wow! terrible! I am so sorry that happened.
#61 ditto on the cell phone + people texting while driving!
#62 I am much more likely to speak up. grr
#63 OH NO! LOL again, nice to see you here WHL :)
#61 ditto on the cell phone + people texting while driving!
#62 I am much more likely to speak up. grr
#63 OH NO! LOL again, nice to see you here WHL :)
65WholeHouseLibrary
Hey there, mckait!
There's something really nice about finding a sense of humor again...
Having said that, I've been up all night, and now, at nearly 6 a.m., I'm going to get some shut-eye.
There's something really nice about finding a sense of humor again...
Having said that, I've been up all night, and now, at nearly 6 a.m., I'm going to get some shut-eye.
66Rowntree
Double ditto on cell phones... I had a student in my office yesterday (scholarship administrator for a state college) and as I was explaining to her how to apply for scholarships, her cell phone went off, and she answered it and started talking, while still looking inquiringly at me. I stopped in mid-sentence, fixed her with what my sister calls my "Granny Weatherwax look" (Terry Pratchett reference) and asked, "are you going to listen to me or talk on that thing?"
She hung up quickly; only then did I finish answering her question. (She did apologize.)
edited for oops
She hung up quickly; only then did I finish answering her question. (She did apologize.)
edited for oops
68mckait
I had no idea where to post this.. but I wanted to post it here
for those of you who do not visit my 75 book challenge thread...
I found out about this site
http://boxoh.com/
which is a universal package tracker site..
I tried it out and it looks pretty good.. so I wanted to make sure
to share with my 50+ friends...
for those of you who do not visit my 75 book challenge thread...
I found out about this site
http://boxoh.com/
which is a universal package tracker site..
I tried it out and it looks pretty good.. so I wanted to make sure
to share with my 50+ friends...
69mckait
how about my email worked fine until 10 am
then it won't download
i am a mac user
comcast does not support mac
It is giving me fits
then it won't download
i am a mac user
comcast does not support mac
It is giving me fits
70tloeffler
Maybe we're in the midst of an alien invasion or energy surge or something. A while ago, my mouse developed a poltergeist. No matter how carefully I tried to pull the scroll bar down, the cursor just kept moving up of its own accord. Spooky!
71Nicole_VanK
An alien invasion, definitely!
72mckait
on the way to take McD's to my niece... a truck pulled in front of me
two extra lge sweet teas spilled on my car floor
*sob*
As soon as I got there my stepdad showed and bitched cause we were eating McD's
woe is me
I found out that the 3 year service contract I paid 325$ for at Best buy, is not Mac service.. it is best buy service
so no help from mac
have to take my macbook to the store tomorrow when the one mac geek they have is in
two extra lge sweet teas spilled on my car floor
*sob*
As soon as I got there my stepdad showed and bitched cause we were eating McD's
woe is me
I found out that the 3 year service contract I paid 325$ for at Best buy, is not Mac service.. it is best buy service
so no help from mac
have to take my macbook to the store tomorrow when the one mac geek they have is in
73jennieg
mckait--your little figure looks like a weeping schmoo, if a schmoo ever had cause to weep.
79cherylscountry
1. people who can't communicate clearly and are not willing to anyway.
2. taking advantage of someone's kindness.
3. people who vote and don't educate themselves on the issues or canidates.
2. taking advantage of someone's kindness.
3. people who vote and don't educate themselves on the issues or canidates.
80Booksloth
#66 Well done you! I wish I could drag you around to the many places I seem to end up at (for some reason, banks are the worst) to tap a few people on the shoulder. I can't count the number of times I have queued in a bank and had the person in front of me conduct the whole of their business while chatting to someone else on their mobile. So RUDE!!!! I always wish the person on the desk would either wait until they have finished before dealing with them (even if that did mean I had to wait longer in line) or, better still, just ask them to step aside if they're not yet ready to make their deposit. withdrawal or whatever and let someone with manners be served.
81ejj1955
I try to be especially tolerant of the young, but I have to admit it bugs me that I see so many queries from young people who want to know where they can read a book for free online. I patiently explain about copyright and how this is the way authors make sure they get paid for the work they do.
I suppose this is mostly because of the nature of the Internet and all the information that is free on it.
I suppose this is mostly because of the nature of the Internet and all the information that is free on it.
82tymfos
Today's pet peeve:
When you go to print a document, and the computer says it can't find the printer (which is right where it's been for years, connected in the same way it always was!!)
When you go to print a document, and the computer says it can't find the printer (which is right where it's been for years, connected in the same way it always was!!)
84tymfos
The computer eventually did find the printer. . . I followed that computer-age-old maxim:
WHEN IN DOUBT: REBOOT! :D
WHEN IN DOUBT: REBOOT! :D
85justjim
Ah yes. Whether you call it "The Vulcan death grip" or "The three-fingered salute", Ctrl-Alt-Del is your friend. It is a good web cartoon as well.
89tloeffler
and loud airplanes that fly over your house at ungodly hours of the day and night. And traffic helicopters.
90WholeHouseLibrary
You forgot to mention the stale in-flight peanut...
91mckait
When is the last time you flew whl?
peanuts? rofl.....
no more peanuts for the airlines.
it is stale pretzels instead.
peanuts? rofl.....
no more peanuts for the airlines.
it is stale pretzels instead.
92WholeHouseLibrary
How does one know if a pretzel is stale? I mean, it's baked dry and all...
The last time I flew was 2006, maybe 2007.... The airline stole my binoculars, and refused to pay for them, so they've lost me as a customer.
The last time I flew was 2006, maybe 2007.... The airline stole my binoculars, and refused to pay for them, so they've lost me as a customer.
94mckait
stale pretzels have a bad taste... rancid like.
my neighbor has had many hundreds of dollars of electronics equipment stolen.
his fault for doing the same dumb thing twice, but still...
my neighbor has had many hundreds of dollars of electronics equipment stolen.
his fault for doing the same dumb thing twice, but still...
95karenmarie
Seeing very young girls (15 or so) with too many piercings AND reeking of cigarette smoke.
I'm so grateful for my 16-year old, who is modest, may never even get her ears pierced, much anything else, and doesn't smoke.
I'm so grateful for my 16-year old, who is modest, may never even get her ears pierced, much anything else, and doesn't smoke.
97karenmarie
or contact lenses and bikini waxing at 12. this was the daughter of our former partner and his "glamorous" wife.
98Rowntree
Young male individuals (children, teenagers, & those who should be Old Enough To Know Better) whose trousers are pushed down to look as if they are going to fall off at any second.
I told one of our student workers once, 'you don't want to know what that looks like to a middle-aged woman.' He started to explain; I said I knew the so-called rationale, but I also knew what it makes *me* think of.
Eventually I let him persuade me to tell him what I thought it looked like: a baby with a full diaper.
The next day, his trousers were belted snugly at his waist.
I told one of our student workers once, 'you don't want to know what that looks like to a middle-aged woman.' He started to explain; I said I knew the so-called rationale, but I also knew what it makes *me* think of.
Eventually I let him persuade me to tell him what I thought it looked like: a baby with a full diaper.
The next day, his trousers were belted snugly at his waist.
100staffordcastle
I'd love to know what the rationale is too!
101Rowntree
I'm not up on the details (& don't really want to be ;-) but I gather it's something to do with individuals in prison not being allowed belts, and some wishing-to-project-tough-and-dangerous- image performers adopting the, er, style.
Or so I have been told. (One student I asked a few years back hadn't a clue what it was supposed to "represent" - it was just what one did... )
(edited for typo)
Or so I have been told. (One student I asked a few years back hadn't a clue what it was supposed to "represent" - it was just what one did... )
(edited for typo)
102mckait
interesting. i work with low functioning special needs kids. two brothers are dressed in this way all the time. they are 7&9. They are not capable of making this decision themselves. They also have mohawks. They are very aggressive boys.
When I questioned why they were allowed to dress this way, I was told that is all that is out there for boys their age. ( we have over 2oo students.. its only them)
No further comment.
When I questioned why they were allowed to dress this way, I was told that is all that is out there for boys their age. ( we have over 2oo students.. its only them)
No further comment.
103tloeffler
Nonsense. When my son started wearing his pants like that, every time I saw him, I would start singing "I see London, I see France. I see Craig's underpants." Finally, he at least started wearing shirts that covered it. And one day, my Goodwill boy showed up in tight, checked, polyester bell-bottom pants. I applauded. Turns out he thinks they're really comfortable.
104theretiredlibrarian
a couple of years ago my son, then about 15, insisted on wearing "sag" pants, no matter what I said. One day he went to the convenience store to get us each a soda...he walked out carrying a 32 ounce soda in each hand...and his pants fell down around his ankles. Not a thing he could do about it. I nearly cried I laughed so hard in the car. He mostly wore a belt after that.
105lbradf
Nothing like personal experience to drive a lesson home! I LOVE it when I see saggy pants drop like that. I chortle and think to myself, "See! Knew that was going to happen someday!"
My personal pet peeves include apostrophes in plurals. That's already been noted, but goodness! it does make me crazy!
Another peeve are the automatic updates and scans from my virus protection that slows my computer to a crawl.
I'm also pretty intolerant of service personnel who don't serve, i.e., don't do their JOB. For example, we were at a hotel pool recently. The family before us used all the towels but one half-sized rag. I called the front desk from the phone at the pool. She responded, "I won't be able to bring any to you for an hour and a half." I said, "You have nothing you could bring to us so we can dry off?" She responded, "I'll see if I can find something." Half an hour later, I called to let her know we had dripped dry and would be going back to our room. She said, "Oh, I was JUST bringing some towels to you." Never an apology. No thought of just going into one of the MANY open rooms and getting towels. Aargh!
Last one--mixing up i.e. and e.g.
My personal pet peeves include apostrophes in plurals. That's already been noted, but goodness! it does make me crazy!
Another peeve are the automatic updates and scans from my virus protection that slows my computer to a crawl.
I'm also pretty intolerant of service personnel who don't serve, i.e., don't do their JOB. For example, we were at a hotel pool recently. The family before us used all the towels but one half-sized rag. I called the front desk from the phone at the pool. She responded, "I won't be able to bring any to you for an hour and a half." I said, "You have nothing you could bring to us so we can dry off?" She responded, "I'll see if I can find something." Half an hour later, I called to let her know we had dripped dry and would be going back to our room. She said, "Oh, I was JUST bringing some towels to you." Never an apology. No thought of just going into one of the MANY open rooms and getting towels. Aargh!
Last one--mixing up i.e. and e.g.
106usnmm2
I can relate to service personal peeve. My wife and I went to the movies recently and I went to the counter to buy a popcorn. The man ahead of me was getting his soda refilled. The person took his cup a proceeded to talk to three other people behind the counter about a party that he went to last week. Anyway it took several minutes to refill his cup. By then two other service persons (total now 5) arrived talking about the same party (must have been a good one) on cell phones. Needless to say I didn't get the popcorn.
Anyway the movie was good.
Anyway the movie was good.
107carptrash
For me it's patrons at the library where I work rushing in 5 minutes before closing time and saying "What time do you close, I just need to check my e-mail.' three weeks in a row. I'm sure that there are more. eek
108ejj1955
Oh, boy, service personnel! This was the wrong day for me to read that . . .
1) My cable company, which changed the on-screen software (with no improvement I can see) so that the cable box doesn't work. Could either drive a half-hour to replace it or they'd mail one to me. Only they didn't. Called to ask again and ask for a credit for the service I haven't had for two weeks now; told me it would take another week for the new box to arrive, but they'd credit my account until today. Umm . . .
2) Pharmacy that got me to change my prescriptions to them with a promise of free diabetes meds. Gave me 100 pills for a prescription I take 4 per day of; called to ask if that's a mistake or do I really have to refill it every 25 days; no, that's their policy "if I want to get it for free." Well, it's not free if I have to spend money for gas to drive 1/2 hour each way every 25 days . . . it costs less to buy it closer to home and get a 3-month supply at one time.
3) My bank, which closed one of my checking accounts. First they said it was because it had no activity for a month, then that the co-owner of the account had done it (no, she had not). Then that they weren't sure why and weren't sure whether they could re-open it, even though I told them that I had eBay, PayPal, and Amazon accounts linked to it. They'll let me know tomorrow.
And that's my day with customer service . . .
*rant over*
1) My cable company, which changed the on-screen software (with no improvement I can see) so that the cable box doesn't work. Could either drive a half-hour to replace it or they'd mail one to me. Only they didn't. Called to ask again and ask for a credit for the service I haven't had for two weeks now; told me it would take another week for the new box to arrive, but they'd credit my account until today. Umm . . .
2) Pharmacy that got me to change my prescriptions to them with a promise of free diabetes meds. Gave me 100 pills for a prescription I take 4 per day of; called to ask if that's a mistake or do I really have to refill it every 25 days; no, that's their policy "if I want to get it for free." Well, it's not free if I have to spend money for gas to drive 1/2 hour each way every 25 days . . . it costs less to buy it closer to home and get a 3-month supply at one time.
3) My bank, which closed one of my checking accounts. First they said it was because it had no activity for a month, then that the co-owner of the account had done it (no, she had not). Then that they weren't sure why and weren't sure whether they could re-open it, even though I told them that I had eBay, PayPal, and Amazon accounts linked to it. They'll let me know tomorrow.
And that's my day with customer service . . .
*rant over*
109tymfos
#108 "no activity for a month" as grounds for a bank to close a checking account? I don't think so! You are having one bad day . . .
110tymfos
My new pet peeve is the next door neighbor who, without saying a word to me, proceeded to hack down my rhododendrons because they had grown over the property line.
I had offered to trim them back several years ago . . . no, they are fine, I was told. Now, without notice, I come home and find them butchered. And NOT just the part that was over the line, either!
I had offered to trim them back several years ago . . . no, they are fine, I was told. Now, without notice, I come home and find them butchered. And NOT just the part that was over the line, either!
111alaudacorax
Hello all,
I've just discovered this thread and this group - great!
Can I just mention one peeve on the grammatical front that's been irking me a lot lately?
It's using 'of' instead of 'have'; as in, "You should of been here yesterday." Makes me twitch every time.
I can't figure out if it's a fad or if they genuinely don't know any better.
I've just discovered this thread and this group - great!
Can I just mention one peeve on the grammatical front that's been irking me a lot lately?
It's using 'of' instead of 'have'; as in, "You should of been here yesterday." Makes me twitch every time.
I can't figure out if it's a fad or if they genuinely don't know any better.
112ejj1955
>111 alaudacorax: I honestly think they don't know any better.
A variation on this and other pet peeves for me is when such grammatical errors (like the ever-so-common "between you and I" variety) are committed by characters in TV shows, movies, or (gasp!) books who have been presented as well-educated geniuses. There goes my suspension of disbelief!
A variation on this and other pet peeves for me is when such grammatical errors (like the ever-so-common "between you and I" variety) are committed by characters in TV shows, movies, or (gasp!) books who have been presented as well-educated geniuses. There goes my suspension of disbelief!
113jennieg
#111 I think substituting 'of' for 'have' began as sloppy diction. There is no excuse for it in writing, outside of dialog.
114alaudacorax
One more thing. Just a day or two ago I wrote a long diatribe elsewhere online about 'do-it-yourself' checkouts in my local supermarket. Apart from the literally antisocial aspects of them, I really, REALLY object to machinery talking to me.
115ejj1955
>114 alaudacorax: There I will part ways with you; I like the idea of scanning my own groceries so I can catch any errors right then. I also trust machines more than I do people when it comes to financial transactions.
116carptrash
I'll go along with jenn about the diction thing. One of (have?) the factors that makes English a real monster is the number of run-on words that we have. eek
117justjim
If it it grammatical annoyances ye seek, I invite any such-minded fellow 50-somethings to the Pedants' Corner group.
I quote from the group description...
I quote from the group description...
"The place for LT members who keep a piece of chalk in their handbags for correcting badly punctuated restaurant chalkboard menus. For members who would rather leave off their underwear than leave out an apostrophe. If you swear in court on a copy of Eats, Shoots and Leaves, this is the place for you."
118Sundry
>114 alaudacorax:
Self-check out at my grocery store was a total failure. The system would freeze up, requiring a store employee to help with the situation. The coupon readers never worked. Sometimes, the system rejected all credit card transactions. Sometimes, the system rejected all cash transactions. The bagging area seldom read the correct weight for the scanned items, causing the process to stop until a store employee came over - ugh. I was not alone in my dislike of the self-check out. All of the self-check stations were removed from my grocery store, and 10 items or less lanes were re-instituted.
>113 jennieg:
"I think substituting 'of' for 'have' began as sloppy diction."
I think so, too. I think "should have" is often slurred into "shoulda." "Shoulda" gets changed to "should of."
>117 justjim:
I like visiting the Pedants' Corner. I don't post there, though. My grammar usage is terrible. Or, is it my usage of grammar is terrible? Or, is it my grammar is terrible? argh ...
Self-check out at my grocery store was a total failure. The system would freeze up, requiring a store employee to help with the situation. The coupon readers never worked. Sometimes, the system rejected all credit card transactions. Sometimes, the system rejected all cash transactions. The bagging area seldom read the correct weight for the scanned items, causing the process to stop until a store employee came over - ugh. I was not alone in my dislike of the self-check out. All of the self-check stations were removed from my grocery store, and 10 items or less lanes were re-instituted.
>113 jennieg:
"I think substituting 'of' for 'have' began as sloppy diction."
I think so, too. I think "should have" is often slurred into "shoulda." "Shoulda" gets changed to "should of."
>117 justjim:
I like visiting the Pedants' Corner. I don't post there, though. My grammar usage is terrible. Or, is it my usage of grammar is terrible? Or, is it my grammar is terrible? argh ...
119justjim
I think so, too. I think "should have" is often slurred into "shoulda." "Shoulda" gets changed to "should of."
I'd've thought that the contraction would've been "should have" ==> "should've" ==> "should of". Inexcusable, yes, but not a capital offence, not for a first offence anyway. Bastinado at worst.
I'd've thought that the contraction would've been "should have" ==> "should've" ==> "should of". Inexcusable, yes, but not a capital offence, not for a first offence anyway. Bastinado at worst.
120PhaedraB
>114 alaudacorax:, 118
Besides the mechanical annoyances with self-checkout (I've never had a transaction completed without intervention by store staff), I object to them on principle because they are used as a way to decrease staffing levels in the stores. One clerk monitors multiple self-service aisles. In short, the more self-checkout lanes, the fewer jobs. Remember how many jobs there used to be at gas stations before Self-Service? Now you've got one teenager in a booth collecting money.
Besides the mechanical annoyances with self-checkout (I've never had a transaction completed without intervention by store staff), I object to them on principle because they are used as a way to decrease staffing levels in the stores. One clerk monitors multiple self-service aisles. In short, the more self-checkout lanes, the fewer jobs. Remember how many jobs there used to be at gas stations before Self-Service? Now you've got one teenager in a booth collecting money.
121justjim
...one teenager in a booth collecting money.
And getting shot/stabbed/bashed because that teenager/retiree is the only one there.
And getting shot/stabbed/bashed because that teenager/retiree is the only one there.
122ejj1955
Perhaps I'm one of the few that found the self-checkout easy and efficient.
Maybe it comes from my sci fi reading, but I've somehow absorbed the idea that mechanization of low-level jobs is a good thing because people are then freed to do more important or creative work. I don't know if former grocery checkers are now finding fulfillment in other lines of work, but I have been around long enough to have done plenty of jobs that are now nonexistent. I have pumped gas (in a marina), operated department store switchboards, and typed letters on a typewriter in the days when "word processor" described a machine rather than a program--and the company I worked for didn't have one, so I typed the same letter with minute variations over and over and over again. I honestly don't think the disappearance of any of those jobs is much of a loss.
Perhaps technology could provide some of the answers to better security for the lone gas station/convenience store employee, too. Or maybe he, too, can be replaced by a robot--losing a crappy job and saving a life in one fell swoop.
Maybe it comes from my sci fi reading, but I've somehow absorbed the idea that mechanization of low-level jobs is a good thing because people are then freed to do more important or creative work. I don't know if former grocery checkers are now finding fulfillment in other lines of work, but I have been around long enough to have done plenty of jobs that are now nonexistent. I have pumped gas (in a marina), operated department store switchboards, and typed letters on a typewriter in the days when "word processor" described a machine rather than a program--and the company I worked for didn't have one, so I typed the same letter with minute variations over and over and over again. I honestly don't think the disappearance of any of those jobs is much of a loss.
Perhaps technology could provide some of the answers to better security for the lone gas station/convenience store employee, too. Or maybe he, too, can be replaced by a robot--losing a crappy job and saving a life in one fell swoop.
123FicusFan
My Pet Peeve is cashiers who instead of working to get you out as fast as possible, want to chat.
They comment on your purchases or ask about them.
Then there are those that carry on conversations before or after the ringing-up, and everyone in line has to wait longer.
The other real annoyance for me is the twits at the local Fed-Ex. If you call the truck they take it away, no questions no problems.
If you bring it there, your package has to meet their approval or they won't ship it. I have had to repackage twice, and once change the dates on my paperwork because it missed the truck for the day.
They comment on your purchases or ask about them.
Then there are those that carry on conversations before or after the ringing-up, and everyone in line has to wait longer.
The other real annoyance for me is the twits at the local Fed-Ex. If you call the truck they take it away, no questions no problems.
If you bring it there, your package has to meet their approval or they won't ship it. I have had to repackage twice, and once change the dates on my paperwork because it missed the truck for the day.
124tymfos
Some of us like friendly cashiers, as long as they don't carry it to the extreme. The world is in too much of a hurry these days. It's nice to see a touch of civility, as long as they keep scanning things and end the conversation when the transaction is done -- or shortly thereafter, if no one else is waiting and I'm enjoying the chat.
What I hate are the ones that have run-on social conversations with their co-workers like I'm not there while handling my transaction. (I don't mind an occasional work-related comment/question.) Or, I had one cashier who spent my whole transaction time griping about other customers. Another clerk who complained loudly that she couldn't get her stock put away because customers kept "interrupting" her to buy things. (I know how frustrating it is on a busy day when you have a job you're supposed to get done besides waiting on customers -- but the customers are the reason that cashiers and sales clerks have jobs!)
What I hate are the ones that have run-on social conversations with their co-workers like I'm not there while handling my transaction. (I don't mind an occasional work-related comment/question.) Or, I had one cashier who spent my whole transaction time griping about other customers. Another clerk who complained loudly that she couldn't get her stock put away because customers kept "interrupting" her to buy things. (I know how frustrating it is on a busy day when you have a job you're supposed to get done besides waiting on customers -- but the customers are the reason that cashiers and sales clerks have jobs!)
125carptrash
I have decided that, by definition, all interactions that i have with sales staff are good one. Hence, I have no more bad ones. eek
126ejj1955
"What I hate are the ones that have run-on social conversations with their co-workers like I'm not there while handling my transaction."
Or, worse yet, the ones who have social conversations with their co-workers like I'm not there while NOT handling my transaction! I wish I could count the number of times I've stood there staring at them while they merrily chat away.
Or, worse yet, the ones who have social conversations with their co-workers like I'm not there while NOT handling my transaction! I wish I could count the number of times I've stood there staring at them while they merrily chat away.
127ejj1955
Oh, my. From my post in 105, here I am, nine days later, STILL waiting for the new cable box. Apparently the work order to send me a new box was twice generated and twice canceled by them. "Someone put in a wrong code." The person on the phone now is suggesting that she send a service technician to my house with the new cable box. Gee, that's a great idea, I said, I wonder why they didn't think of that a month ago! Well--they were probably trying to save me the $17.99 service charge!!
As I sputtered about that--they want to charge me to replace a box that doesn't work because they upgraded their software (let me rephrase that: changed their software with no improvement whatsoever to it)?? She said she'd waive that charge.
I keep thinking to myself: my house is for sale and I'm going to move far, far away. Somewhere that I hope has a different cable provider, though I'm not silly enough to think it will necessarily be better.
But I do not love thee, Time Warner. Not at all. Not even a little bit.
As I sputtered about that--they want to charge me to replace a box that doesn't work because they upgraded their software (let me rephrase that: changed their software with no improvement whatsoever to it)?? She said she'd waive that charge.
I keep thinking to myself: my house is for sale and I'm going to move far, far away. Somewhere that I hope has a different cable provider, though I'm not silly enough to think it will necessarily be better.
But I do not love thee, Time Warner. Not at all. Not even a little bit.
128alaudacorax
#127 We must be calm and logical about these things, ejj1955. I suggest a few wax dolls and a supply of pins - that should get 'em moving.
129Rowntree
I don't mind grocery checkers chatting at me, although I was quite annoyed with one a few days ago (not for chatting.)
I was in the store fairly early in the morning, and the *only* non-automated line open was the "20 items or less" one, so I went there, commenting to the checker that I knew I had more than 20 items, but that I refused to use the automated systems. She indicated that this was no problem, so I started unloading the basket. Presently a couple with very few items came up behind me, and had to wait until I was done. (I smiled at them somewhat apologetically, but they said nothing, nor did I.)
However, as I was leaving, I heard the checker tell them that she hadn't known I had so many items until I had them all unloaded.
I *hate* being lied about.
(edited for typo)
I was in the store fairly early in the morning, and the *only* non-automated line open was the "20 items or less" one, so I went there, commenting to the checker that I knew I had more than 20 items, but that I refused to use the automated systems. She indicated that this was no problem, so I started unloading the basket. Presently a couple with very few items came up behind me, and had to wait until I was done. (I smiled at them somewhat apologetically, but they said nothing, nor did I.)
However, as I was leaving, I heard the checker tell them that she hadn't known I had so many items until I had them all unloaded.
I *hate* being lied about.
(edited for typo)
130tymfos
#129 GRRRR! I probably would have gone to the manager and complained.
They had no business not having a non-automated line open for bigger orders, anyway. A lot of stores limit the automated lines to small orders.
They had no business not having a non-automated line open for bigger orders, anyway. A lot of stores limit the automated lines to small orders.
131pollysmith
here's my peeve, whatever happened to telephone etiquette? I am so tired of being hung up on when someone realises they have the wrong number. I'm also tired of people who answer my hello with "whos dis?" or "jim dar?" or (whatever name you like) and thats just a rough translation, its hard to slur words together on line.
132theretiredlibrarian
Worse than that for me are rude cell phone users...hang up, wait till later, while you are with real live persons. It's just plain rude to be talking on the phone while someone is trying to wait on you. A nearby post office has a sign which says something like, "We'll be happy to take care of your needs when you are off the phone." Thank goodness I haven't worked for the public since 1997, when cell phones were still pretty rare. I would have to reach across the counter and "touch someone".
I also hate it when people take phone calls in the middle of a conversation (with a real live person--are you listening, Mr. ExiledLibrarian????).
And lastly: call waiting. I HATE being cut off by someone so they can take another call. Mr. Exiled is also guilty of this.
He and I clearly having different philosophies about the proper use of a telephone. Actually we have different philosophies on oh so many things, lol.
I also hate it when people take phone calls in the middle of a conversation (with a real live person--are you listening, Mr. ExiledLibrarian????).
And lastly: call waiting. I HATE being cut off by someone so they can take another call. Mr. Exiled is also guilty of this.
He and I clearly having different philosophies about the proper use of a telephone. Actually we have different philosophies on oh so many things, lol.
133alaudacorax
One more phone thing (should be a hanging offence, this one).
That's when people phone you, then, when you answer, you find they're continuing a conversation with someone iin the room with them while holding the phone to their chest or whatever and keeping you waiting.
I've actually had one of these ignorant pillocks phone me three times in quick succession, completely oblivious as to why I was hanging up each time. And when he (I've never had a woman do this to me) finally did speak he acted so offended at my comments on the matter. I honestly can't see this behaviour as anything other than deliberately insulting.
That's when people phone you, then, when you answer, you find they're continuing a conversation with someone iin the room with them while holding the phone to their chest or whatever and keeping you waiting.
I've actually had one of these ignorant pillocks phone me three times in quick succession, completely oblivious as to why I was hanging up each time. And when he (I've never had a woman do this to me) finally did speak he acted so offended at my comments on the matter. I honestly can't see this behaviour as anything other than deliberately insulting.
134ejj1955
>133 alaudacorax: Completely agree. Really hate that. And it's not as though the other person in the room with the caller can't see that they have a phone in their hand and to their ear. So it's really two people being rude to you/me/whomever they've called.
135megwaiteclayton
you guys are tough.
But on the phone thing, I'll admit to hating standing in line waiting while the person at the counter keeps taking phone calls and making me wait.
But on the phone thing, I'll admit to hating standing in line waiting while the person at the counter keeps taking phone calls and making me wait.
136Booksloth
Too many to agree with each one individually (though I'm a little surprised no-one else has yet commented on that supermarket sign that should have read "12 items or fewer) - but, oh those mobile phones! Only yesterday I stood behind someone in a queue at the bank who chatted on their phone throughout the whole of their transaction and didn't even acknowledge the poor woman who was serving them. I felt like ripping the phone out of their hands and lecturing them on their manners. When I reached the head of the queue I commented on how rude it was and the woman looked sadly resigned to having to suffer it and commented that it happens all the time now. ExiledLibrarian's post office has it absolutely right. Employers are equally to blame if they do not support their staff in moving on to the next person in the queue or sitting there looking blank until the call is ended.
Another one that annoys me is the people who ring me then ask me to identify myself. Whether this is banks, hospitals or anyone else who claims to be doing it for 'security reasons' YOU rang ME. You should be identifying YOURself, not the other way around. How do I know you are who you claim to be? When I refuse to give this information I get bewildered noises and self-righteous excuses from the other end of the line but just think about this. What is to stop anyone ringing me and asking for my date of birth, first three letters of my mother's maiden name etc? I'm not sure what the answer to this one is as I probably miss messages that way that were important to me so if anyone else has the solution please would they share it. Maybe I should request that they set up an ID system by which they can identify themselves to me as well as the other way around.
Ed for typo
Another one that annoys me is the people who ring me then ask me to identify myself. Whether this is banks, hospitals or anyone else who claims to be doing it for 'security reasons' YOU rang ME. You should be identifying YOURself, not the other way around. How do I know you are who you claim to be? When I refuse to give this information I get bewildered noises and self-righteous excuses from the other end of the line but just think about this. What is to stop anyone ringing me and asking for my date of birth, first three letters of my mother's maiden name etc? I'm not sure what the answer to this one is as I probably miss messages that way that were important to me so if anyone else has the solution please would they share it. Maybe I should request that they set up an ID system by which they can identify themselves to me as well as the other way around.
Ed for typo
137alaudacorax
#136 Booksloth.
I see from your profile that you're in the UK and I'm somewhat surprised at your second paragraph. My memory could be playing me up about this, but I'm sure that in the bumf my bank periodically sends me I've read warnings specifically stating that they won't phone and ask for such information and not to give it to anyone who does.
I see from your profile that you're in the UK and I'm somewhat surprised at your second paragraph. My memory could be playing me up about this, but I'm sure that in the bumf my bank periodically sends me I've read warnings specifically stating that they won't phone and ask for such information and not to give it to anyone who does.
139ejj1955
When someone on the phone asks for my SS# to confirm my identity (name, address, and phone number apparently being insufficient), my standard response has been, "The last four digits are . . ." Nobody has yet insisted I give them the whole thing.
141Booksloth
Nobody's asked me for that one yet but I'll remember your advice if they do. Even so, if they will accept just those four digits then you have just given them access to your account if they turn out not to be who they say they are.
142ejj1955
I hasten to add that this is when I've called them--would never give this out to someone who called me. It's usually either the cable company or the electric company or the bank.
143carptrash
My current peeve, reinforced earlier today, is drivers who pass over a double yellow line. See all the crosses by the side of the road....? The good part of living in the mountians is that mostly cell phones don't work anywhere. eek
144tymfos
drivers who pass over a double yellow line.
Oh, I hate that, too!!
We had several cases locally where people died because of that kind of supidity, and the juries actually ACQUITTED the drivers that did it when they were brought up on vehicular manslaughter charges -- I cannot understand why.
Oh, I hate that, too!!
We had several cases locally where people died because of that kind of supidity, and the juries actually ACQUITTED the drivers that did it when they were brought up on vehicular manslaughter charges -- I cannot understand why.
145lbradf
>133 alaudacorax: and 134 re someone calling then continuing conversation with another person in the room. ejj195 wrote: And it's not as though the other person in the room with the caller can't see that they have a phone in their hand and to their ear. So it's really two people being rude to you/me/whomever they've called.
As someone who has committed this offense, probably more than once, I want to come to the defense of the other person in the room. When I've done it, called someone then put them on virtual hold, it most often happened because I had impolitely failed to realize (or care--aargh) that my conversation with the other person in the room wasn't completed before I started dialing. Thus, rather than two people being rude to me, it is I who am being rude to two people. Confession over.
As someone who has committed this offense, probably more than once, I want to come to the defense of the other person in the room. When I've done it, called someone then put them on virtual hold, it most often happened because I had impolitely failed to realize (or care--aargh) that my conversation with the other person in the room wasn't completed before I started dialing. Thus, rather than two people being rude to me, it is I who am being rude to two people. Confession over.
146ejj1955
Let me elaborate a bit: my screed is against repeat offenders. Anyone can have someone walk in and ask them a question, say, or tell them someone is at the door. It's the people who do the dual-conversation thing constantly that raise my ire. My late sister used to do this all the time, and it would be clear from the conversation I heard that 1) it wasn't urgent, and 2) I didn't need to hear it. Like, what were they going to have for dinner, or whose turn it was to take the dog out (not just a question, a discussion).
147lbradf
One of my friends has six children. Even though we both try to initiate conversations when we think that child-oriented interruptions will be less likely to occur, it still seems to occur 3 out of 4 conversations. I thought it would be better once her children were out of the house, but no, they now interrupt us via call waiting, which she almost always responds to. So, yeah, I have to admit, I'm there with you on that pet peeve.
148MerryMary
I've noticed a trend lately to replace the apostrophe with a semicolon. This is driving me crazy. I see "don;t" and "I;ll" all the time. At first I thought it was just a typo, but it seems to be too consistent to be anything but a choice. Argh.
149lbradf
Oh! Surely not intentional! We're already made to bear so much incorrect apostrophe use, how could we endure seeing people incorrectly using semi-colon;s instead of just incorrectly using apostrophes'.
150ejj1955
The apostrophe and semicolon are next to each other on the keyboard, so I'm going to continue believing it's a mistake. I so hope.
151Booksloth
Oops! The semi-colon is next to the apostrophe on my keyboard and I do do that occasionally by mistake. I'm fanatical about apostrophes though so now I'll be lying awake nights worrying that people think I just don't know any better! It does remind me of another one that seems to be exclusively an LT quirk (or an online one anyway) and maybe there's somebody on this thread who can explain it to me: it's the use of the asterisk in place of almost anything. I've seen it used in place of speech marks, to indicate something that (maybe) is meant to be in italics, to pick out a book title, to replace the 'number' sign and (most annoyingly) more or less randomly. Can anyone explain?
152justjim
That asterisk usage comes from old word processing programmes that were not WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). You typed in your words and for formatting to (iirc) bold, you would type *bold words here* and you would get out of your printer bold words here. Strangely, decades later, I just then had to put different codes around those words and I don't get to see the formatting on my screen as I type either!
Other such codes were understroke for _underline these words_ and there was one for italics as well, but it escapes (pun intended) me at the moment.
Currently, however, some people use the asterisk to indicate an action that they are performing as an adjunct to the words that they are typing *mops brow*. I, personally use two solidi for such an occasion //hopes solidi is the plural for solidus, and really uses the forward slash on the keyboard anyway//.
All of the above is open to discussion and interpretation!
ps forgot to explain the 'escape' pun above. Some really basic word processing programmes, some of which I wrote*, made you use the 'escape' character (ascii 27 iirc) and a number of other characters immediately following that in order to make your printer shift into bold/italic/underline etc mode. Naturally those codes were printer dependant and changed from manufacturer to manufacturer. Epson pretty much became the standard before the whole thing became invisible to users.
And as I typed that above, it occurred to me that some of what MerryMary may have been seeing might be un-escaped html codes on websites. News websites are notorious for this (allegedly because of the rush to get to 'print') but you would see more than just a semi-colon for an apostrophe. You would actually see the code for the character. It is tricky to reproduce here using html but it would be something like It$ap;s instead of It's.
*purely on an amateur basis; but then we all were in the 70s.
Other such codes were understroke for _underline these words_ and there was one for italics as well, but it escapes (pun intended) me at the moment.
Currently, however, some people use the asterisk to indicate an action that they are performing as an adjunct to the words that they are typing *mops brow*. I, personally use two solidi for such an occasion //hopes solidi is the plural for solidus, and really uses the forward slash on the keyboard anyway//.
All of the above is open to discussion and interpretation!
ps forgot to explain the 'escape' pun above. Some really basic word processing programmes, some of which I wrote*, made you use the 'escape' character (ascii 27 iirc) and a number of other characters immediately following that in order to make your printer shift into bold/italic/underline etc mode. Naturally those codes were printer dependant and changed from manufacturer to manufacturer. Epson pretty much became the standard before the whole thing became invisible to users.
And as I typed that above, it occurred to me that some of what MerryMary may have been seeing might be un-escaped html codes on websites. News websites are notorious for this (allegedly because of the rush to get to 'print') but you would see more than just a semi-colon for an apostrophe. You would actually see the code for the character. It is tricky to reproduce here using html but it would be something like It$ap;s instead of It's.
*purely on an amateur basis; but then we all were in the 70s.
153Booksloth
Blimey! I did use computers in those days (just) but I never got as far as discovering how to do all the twiddly bits (let's face it, it's not that long since I learned how to do them here). Actually, knowing I can blame the horrible world of computing somehow makes me feel a bit better about that - although I guess I'd still have to ask: why haven't these people noticed yet that their text isn't coming out in italics or whatever it is they are tryng to do? Isn't it what appears on the page that matters? But thanks for the explanation, jim.
154justjim
...the horrible world of computing...
What? You don't want me to eat? I can't have a roof over my head, I can't have nice things? Oh, the pain.
;)
What? You don't want me to eat? I can't have a roof over my head, I can't have nice things? Oh, the pain.
;)
155AlanPoulter
Some books never making it into paperback. E-book readers with DRM.
156Booksloth
#154 Ah, we're stuck with them now, so I guess someone has to service the monster. You have my permission to eat.
157ejj1955
Maybe Booksloth only tolerates it, but I love the wonderful world of computing. I once had a job typing almost-but-not-quite the same set of letters over and over and over and over. Word processing programs make such jobs so much easier. And then there's the joy of the Internet . . . and, you know, y'all that I "know" because of it.
So, thanks, Jim!
So, thanks, Jim!
159Booksloth
So I'm a Luddite - I can't help it. I do take full advantage of whatever the computer/internet can do for me but I don't have to like it. It's not computing per se that I dislike - more my own ignorance about it and the fact that it has us all over a barrel whenever it goes wrong (which it frequently does). I can't help thinking that if I bought a cooker that 'froze' or just did its own thing as often as my computer does, I would have returned it to the shop by now, but with computers we just have to put up with it. All that information out there is wonderful though.
160alaudacorax
#159 I'm right with you on this one, Booksloth. It's a love-hate relationship almost to the point of sadomasochism.
161karenmarie
My pet peeve is that people respond to a "Thank you" with another "Thank you" instead of a "You're welcome." It is very irritating. It's ubiquitous.
162ejj1955
>161 karenmarie: I suppose it's occasionally valid when both sides feel they have received some benefit--e.g., if they had traded items and both felt they'd gotten something they wanted, or if one invited the other out and the second felt happy the first had done so. You know: "Thank you." "Oh, no, thank you."
But mostly it's just silly, you're right.
But mostly it's just silly, you're right.
164tymfos
#161 I admit to being guilty of that. When I started working retail, I was taught to always thank a customer at the end of a transaction, and I carry the same philosophy in dealing with library patrons -- you know, "thank you for your patronage." Thus, when one says "thank you" to me first, it leaves me not sure what to say.
165Booksloth
I work on a helpline and, ever since starting there, I find it really hard not to end all phone conversations with 'thank you for calling'. Then, in personal calls, I feel like a schmuck when I realise I was the one who called them.
166theretiredlibrarian
Not really a pet peeve, but a scratch-my-head-in-wonderment-of-not-smart-people...a few weeks ago I went to Walmart to buy fabric. I told the clerk I need a quarter yard. She looked at the fabric. She looked at her yardstick. She looked at me. I said (helpfully), "I need one-fourths of a yard." THAT she could do. Really, you work in the fabric department and you don't know what a quarter-yard is???
167ejj1955
>166 theretiredlibrarian: This reminds me of a young woman on a reality show who was completely puzzled by the phrase "a quarter to" the hour when telling time. She just didn't understand it and I'm wondering in that case if it's an analog/digital thing. For the fabric, though . . . I have no idea. Except that the fabric department was probably where the job opening was, not something she ever expressed any interest in doing.
168clif_hiker
more and more of a peeve for me... the practice of posting "Jesus is my savior blah blah blah, click like if he is yours too" on facebook. It makes me want to post something completely opposite like "Jesus is NOT my savior, click like if he isn't yours" or maybe "The Goddess Isis is who I worship, click like if you worship her too" or something similar.
But then I'd get in trouble with my family, my job, etc.
But of course it's the CHRISTIANS who are being persecuted in this country. {eyeroll}
But then I'd get in trouble with my family, my job, etc.
But of course it's the CHRISTIANS who are being persecuted in this country. {eyeroll}
169theretiredlibrarian
I'm a Christian, and those things offend me too...as well as those blasted "pass it on if you believe..." emails. Pretty sure I'm not going to hell just because I delete someone's chain letter prayer, or choose to ignore their Facebook request. Same goes for the political ones. Guess what? Nothing bad has happened to me because I hit the delete button and didn't bother to send it on to 10 of my friends.
170ejj1955
I actually feel the same about those "click here, let's get a million people to say they hate cancer" or some such. What good does it do? If you hate cancer, quit smoking, donate some money to research, go spend some time with a cancer patient. But do something with an actual point to it.
172mamzel
I'm getting really annoyed at the phone-in vote thing. An example would be The Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards which was won by that new tween idol, Justin Bieber. The only winner in this kind of contest is ATT, Verizon, or whatever service is sponsoring it.
173ejj1955
I usually like to watch House Hunters, but there are plenty of times that people are in houses or condos way nicer than my house (which I like!) and whining about how it's just not new enough, big enough, how they just can't have a kitchen without granite counter tops and stainless appliances, etc. When did all those things become necessities, anyway?
174usnmm2
"...When did all those things become necessities, anyway?"
Ever since Robin Cook (?) did the Life styles of the Rich and Famous shows.
Ever since Robin Cook (?) did the Life styles of the Rich and Famous shows.
176WholeHouseLibrary
Regarding those spammy emails that want you to forward it to ~n~ other people; or large-font ravings that want you to sign a petition; and things of that nature...
The smartest thing you can do is delete them. Granted, my wife's ex's current wife created one - a rabid, blind hatred of a certain political figure, and wanted people to sign her petition for a certain baseless legal action. In short, I know that at least some of these are merely used to vent rage, and she can't actually follow through on her fetish. She's not nearly tech-savvy enough to make use of something she can't retrieve.
Having said that, there ~are~ those who can follow email chains, and they create these things to get valid email addresses, etc. Heed the first sentence in the previous paragraph.
Also, petitions created from email forwardings are not valid (legal) forms of petitions. They have to be signed, in ink, and the physical addresses have to be verified (although I doubt that ~every~ address - or signature (Micky Mouse signs petitions more than anyone else!) are genuine.
The smartest thing you can do is delete them. Granted, my wife's ex's current wife created one - a rabid, blind hatred of a certain political figure, and wanted people to sign her petition for a certain baseless legal action. In short, I know that at least some of these are merely used to vent rage, and she can't actually follow through on her fetish. She's not nearly tech-savvy enough to make use of something she can't retrieve.
Having said that, there ~are~ those who can follow email chains, and they create these things to get valid email addresses, etc. Heed the first sentence in the previous paragraph.
Also, petitions created from email forwardings are not valid (legal) forms of petitions. They have to be signed, in ink, and the physical addresses have to be verified (although I doubt that ~every~ address - or signature (Micky Mouse signs petitions more than anyone else!) are genuine.
177ejj1955
Geez, next you're going to tell me that I won't get my wish if I forward an email to ten of my dearest friends within ten minutes.
178WholeHouseLibrary
Ejj - wanna buy a bridge?
179ejj1955
Nah, I was looking for that mountain lodge in Florida!
Pet peeve du jour: I am working on editing articles online. Generally I love the gig, with the instant gratification of getting paid twice a week (!), but tonight I'm ready to tear my hair out. It's not rocket science, but some of these writers are morons. The last article I opened began "The city of Tuscon is located in Southern Nevada."
*weeps*
Pet peeve du jour: I am working on editing articles online. Generally I love the gig, with the instant gratification of getting paid twice a week (!), but tonight I'm ready to tear my hair out. It's not rocket science, but some of these writers are morons. The last article I opened began "The city of Tuscon is located in Southern Nevada."
*weeps*
181ejj1955
What I really want to do is ask them, "Why do you think you can be a writer? You can't write! Go do something else." But I'm not allowed to do that :-(
182pollysmith
Maybe there is a city named Tuscan in Southern Nevada! ;)
183alaudacorax
#182 - Thanks for reminding me that this thread existed.
Latest 'pet peeve': people who say that "violence is never justified".
If you get onto some crappy webpage (when you're deciding on a spam vote, for instance, which I just was) and then, when you try to exit, you get a pop-up asking 'do you really want to exit this page'; and, just to add insult to injury, you have a choice of 'cancel' or 'okay' and, of course, you automatically click 'cancel' because you're not really paying attention, which they've calculated on to start with, and that keeps you on the webpage; then, surely, if you could find out who thought up the pop-up in the first place, beating him to death with abaseball bat fencing post dead camel, slowly, over several hours, would be entirely justified?
I mean, surely it's impossible to argue that the world wouldn't be a better place if the kind of brain that plans this stuff was beaten to the consistency of a barbecue sauce?
I suppose I'd better add that this type of pop-up has been inflicted on me a lot lately?
ETA missing inverted comma - which doesn't make me the slightest bit sunnier.
Latest 'pet peeve': people who say that "violence is never justified".
If you get onto some crappy webpage (when you're deciding on a spam vote, for instance, which I just was) and then, when you try to exit, you get a pop-up asking 'do you really want to exit this page'; and, just to add insult to injury, you have a choice of 'cancel' or 'okay' and, of course, you automatically click 'cancel' because you're not really paying attention, which they've calculated on to start with, and that keeps you on the webpage; then, surely, if you could find out who thought up the pop-up in the first place, beating him to death with a
I mean, surely it's impossible to argue that the world wouldn't be a better place if the kind of brain that plans this stuff was beaten to the consistency of a barbecue sauce?
I suppose I'd better add that this type of pop-up has been inflicted on me a lot lately?
ETA missing inverted comma - which doesn't make me the slightest bit sunnier.
185Booksloth
I'm with rankamateur on this one. In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that, for anyone having to deal with Parcelforce, violence should be pretty well compulsory.
186alaudacorax
#183 - Eeesh! I must have been in a cranky mood last night.
In reality, of course, I don't for one minute condone abuse of dead camels.
But there's just something about those pop-ups ...
In reality, of course, I don't for one minute condone abuse of dead camels.
But there's just something about those pop-ups ...
187ejj1955
What about all those come-ons for "absolutely free" stuff that you get if you just complete "several offers from our sponsors"? Or the "free trials" that only come with automatic charging of your credit card every month from now until infinity?
But I'll reserve my violence for people who write malicious code that's just meant to destroy. Trying to make a sleazy living by fooling people is bad, but understandable. Massively screwing up people's computers/lives for the sheer fun of it? Not so much.
But I'll reserve my violence for people who write malicious code that's just meant to destroy. Trying to make a sleazy living by fooling people is bad, but understandable. Massively screwing up people's computers/lives for the sheer fun of it? Not so much.
188pollysmith
I HATE those non-free free offers!
189Neverwithoutabook
#188 - pollysmith -Ditto!!!
190chg1
redundancy, oxymorons.
>188 pollysmith:
>189 Neverwithoutabook:
and..yeah, how 'bout those radio offers of "free" stuff where "you only pay for shipping & handling "?
>188 pollysmith:
>189 Neverwithoutabook:
and..yeah, how 'bout those radio offers of "free" stuff where "you only pay for shipping & handling "?
192karenmarie
I'm convinced that it's to reduce revenue. Shipping/handling is an expense and reduces net income, reducing the potential for taxes.
Like the booksellers at Amazon that will sell you a book for one cent but charge $3.99 for shipping.
Like the booksellers at Amazon that will sell you a book for one cent but charge $3.99 for shipping.
193ejj1955
>192 karenmarie: Second-party booksellers on Amazon have no choice about what they charge for shipping--Amazon sets the shipping rates. However, when someone is selling you a book for a penny, the shipping is where they're making some money. Only works if they are doing this in volume, though.
194chg1
The thing to do is to skip amazon & go straight to the bookseller...if it is possible. I personally DON'T LIKE amazon, they are the wallmart of the internet age (puttinhg all the Mom and Pops out of business.)
195ejj1955
The flip side of that is that Amazon provides (for a generous percentage) an incredible number of potential customers for the second-party sellers, many of whom (like me) sell used books that ten or twenty years ago readers would just be hoping to come across in a used book store. Unless one's tastes are quite esoteric, you can find almost any book you want on the web somewhere. Some Mom-and-Pop local booksellers survive by combining their bricks-and-mortar store with an online presence and the two complement each other.
196chg1
>195 ejj1955:
I am well aware of economic,demographic, and marketing.
This is true, but there is a need for a balanced approach. Unfortunately there is rarely,if ever, such a restraint but rather a seemingly uncontrolled attempt at domination.
"Amazon provides (for a generous percentage)..."
Bezos and the like find a "want" (or create a "need") start out small, work ruthlessly at "the competition",
and, like Bill ('if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em') Gates, eventually get to where THEY can control the price and their profit.
I had to stop myself from going on a further rean.
I am well aware of economic,demographic, and marketing.
This is true, but there is a need for a balanced approach. Unfortunately there is rarely,if ever, such a restraint but rather a seemingly uncontrolled attempt at domination.
"Amazon provides (for a generous percentage)..."
Bezos and the like find a "want" (or create a "need") start out small, work ruthlessly at "the competition",
and, like Bill ('if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em') Gates, eventually get to where THEY can control the price and their profit.
I had to stop myself from going on a further rean.
198ejj1955
I see your point, certainly; it's pretty much the name of the game for most businesses, from Wal-Mart to my particular bete noir, cable companies. I owe a fortune to Time Warner but don't feel much of a choice in the marketplace here. I get the impression that those who live with Comcast's domains feel similarly.
199chg1
ejj-
I gave up watching TV (a STUPENDOUS achievement for one so addicted) when it came to having to pay for something that was formerly free. My own name for one of those cable companies is "Crumbcast" but I don't have one for the other (Bugs Bunny/ Daffy Duck loyalist; besides which I own stock.)
I gave up watching TV (a STUPENDOUS achievement for one so addicted) when it came to having to pay for something that was formerly free. My own name for one of those cable companies is "Crumbcast" but I don't have one for the other (Bugs Bunny/ Daffy Duck loyalist; besides which I own stock.)
200pollysmith
my newest pet peeve:
Not being able to tell a parent that their child is a bully and a brat.
Sorry a little vent about work, but its true! Some parents have blinders on!
Not being able to tell a parent that their child is a bully and a brat.
Sorry a little vent about work, but its true! Some parents have blinders on!
201alaudacorax
Which is probably why their kids are bullies and brats - catch-22!
202PrueGallagher
my pet peeves aren't people - I pretty much take folks as I find them...but why oh why do appliances have to beep at you if you don't run to them straight away. Microwaves...beep! beep! have you forgotten I am cooked? Washing machines: beep! beep! I've finished the darn cycle. NOW EMPTY ME YOU LAZY SLOTH...Just enough already. You're a machine! Let me finish this chapter and I'll get to you...
that feels better. Got to go...I left the iron for 5 minutes and it's beeping me...geezzzz
that feels better. Got to go...I left the iron for 5 minutes and it's beeping me...geezzzz
203alaudacorax
#202 - Yes, my car nags me.
It beeps or whines, depending on what you're doing. I leave the headlights on so I can see to lock up the garage doors - Beep! Beep! Beep! Put a bag of shopping on a passenger seat - Weeeeeeee! (thinks someone's not wearing a seatbelt).
It beeps or whines, depending on what you're doing. I leave the headlights on so I can see to lock up the garage doors - Beep! Beep! Beep! Put a bag of shopping on a passenger seat - Weeeeeeee! (thinks someone's not wearing a seatbelt).
204Booksloth
#202 God yes! I'm the one who earns the money to buy these things; I'm the one who can decide whether they 'live' or 'die' at the flick of a switch; I'm the one who tells them what to do and they they think I am the moron around here! They're like badly behaved children who can't shut up: "Do it now!", "I want attention now!" And what makes it worse is that I catch myself arguing with them. "All right, all right, I'm coming!"
It's very reminiscent of my peeve with telephones. They have the same mentality - "Answer me now, answer me now, answer me now". It was bad enough when all we had was land-lines and you'd be talking to the shop-girl who would suddenly cut you off without a word when the phone rang behind her, leaving you wondering whether you were really the customer standing there with money in your hand or whether you'd accidentally put on your cloak of invisibility while dressing that morning. Of course, with mobiles it's even worse. You're walking along having a conversation with a friend when all of a sudden some god-awful noise comes from their pocket and it's as if you no longer exist. I can excuse this kind of behaviour in anyone who has a wife about to go into labour or a close relative in hospital with something life-threatening but that's all. Nowadays I'm developing a habit of just walking away whenever it happens.
It's very reminiscent of my peeve with telephones. They have the same mentality - "Answer me now, answer me now, answer me now". It was bad enough when all we had was land-lines and you'd be talking to the shop-girl who would suddenly cut you off without a word when the phone rang behind her, leaving you wondering whether you were really the customer standing there with money in your hand or whether you'd accidentally put on your cloak of invisibility while dressing that morning. Of course, with mobiles it's even worse. You're walking along having a conversation with a friend when all of a sudden some god-awful noise comes from their pocket and it's as if you no longer exist. I can excuse this kind of behaviour in anyone who has a wife about to go into labour or a close relative in hospital with something life-threatening but that's all. Nowadays I'm developing a habit of just walking away whenever it happens.
205chg1
>202 PrueGallagher:
>203 alaudacorax:
>204 Booksloth:
We are all of the age where we used the predecessors to these things and the predecessors still exist,so why not use them rather than waste your time and energy complaining? If you prefer the newer ones with their conveniences,why complain that they are not like the older ones in their technologies? There are always tradeoffs, we should be accustomed to that in our Geritol years.
>203 alaudacorax:
>204 Booksloth:
We are all of the age where we used the predecessors to these things and the predecessors still exist,so why not use them rather than waste your time and energy complaining? If you prefer the newer ones with their conveniences,why complain that they are not like the older ones in their technologies? There are always tradeoffs, we should be accustomed to that in our Geritol years.
206ejj1955
>205 chg1: Because this is the pet peeves group, and the point is to complain about what bugs you, even if it's not that big a deal. Though I'm a little confused about whether you are really suggesting I should go back to dial telephones (do they even still work?), wringer washing machines, wood stoves for cooking . . . it's true those items didn't beep. I still want to use my microwave and clothes dryer without being nagged by them.
207littleshell
I agree with all who are peeved by labor-saving devices that want *us* to labor for them!! And what about the self-serve checkout registers? If I want endless commentary on what I'm *not* doing quickly enough, I will offer to watch my young nieces (6 and 3) and nephew (a very specific 5-year-old) when they are hungry, lol. I love them dearly, and truly enjoy my time with them, but they could make most of us lose our cool when they all want their favorite foods now!
208Booksloth
#207 I completely agree about the self-serve checkouts. All of these things were supposedly invented to save time and work and yet the tills still have to be constantly staffed because every time you nudge a bag ever so slightly they think you've put an 'unexpected item' into it. As much as I hate being told in a horrible shrill voice to 'continue shopping', 'press the button to pay' or 'take my shopping' I still can't resist all those years of early training in good manners, so every time the machine thanks me for shopping at Sainsbury's I find myself muttering "You're welcome".
And now we're on to gadgets (believe me, I could go on like this for days) am I the only person who got the HD, digital etc TV (that's before it was compulsory) believing all the nonsense about how they never went wrong and now spends half their life either staring at a fragmented picture or switching on and off and waiting for the damn thing to reboot and hoping it will get that done before the programme I was hoping to watch has finished? Yes, I definitely have luddite tendencies but I believe that a new version of something should work better than the old ones and yet I often find myself hankering for the days when, okay, the picture wasn't quite as clear, but it came on every time you pressed the 'On' button and if anything did go wrong all you had to do was thump it on the side. Happy days.
And now we're on to gadgets (believe me, I could go on like this for days) am I the only person who got the HD, digital etc TV (that's before it was compulsory) believing all the nonsense about how they never went wrong and now spends half their life either staring at a fragmented picture or switching on and off and waiting for the damn thing to reboot and hoping it will get that done before the programme I was hoping to watch has finished? Yes, I definitely have luddite tendencies but I believe that a new version of something should work better than the old ones and yet I often find myself hankering for the days when, okay, the picture wasn't quite as clear, but it came on every time you pressed the 'On' button and if anything did go wrong all you had to do was thump it on the side. Happy days.
209alaudacorax
#207, #208 - The self-serve checkouts are a pet peeve of mine.
On principle, I never use them, but they are right next to the 'one basket only' checkout.
In a feeble gesture toward keeping fit and losing weight, I walk into town and back three or four times a week and buy one basket of shopping at a time - it's a pleasant walk and the checkout people are usually friendly and like to chat a little. But I'm always conscious of these things yapping away directly behind me - it's quite intrusive and annoying.
On principle, I never use them, but they are right next to the 'one basket only' checkout.
In a feeble gesture toward keeping fit and losing weight, I walk into town and back three or four times a week and buy one basket of shopping at a time - it's a pleasant walk and the checkout people are usually friendly and like to chat a little. But I'm always conscious of these things yapping away directly behind me - it's quite intrusive and annoying.
210karenmarie
I never use the self-serve checkouts if I can. Once I was forced to at Lowes Home Improvement Stores. I told the clerk that I didn't know how to use it and didn't particularly want to learn, so she had to stand there with me the entire time and walk me through it. I wouldn't know how to use it again if asked. I refuse to tie up brain cells on something like that.
Separate but related is food stores. Here in central NC Food Lion has renovated their stores recently to "improve customer service" with the result that now nobody can find anything, they've put things on higher shelves to get more products into the store which is hard on vertically-challenged shoppers, and, worst of all, instead of the clerks taking my items out of the cart and processing them I have to take my items out of the cart and put them on the belt. It irritates the crap out of me. I can understand that they like it because they're picking up the groceries once not twice for 8 hours a day, but now instead of me moving the groceries 4 times (into the cart, into my car, into the house, onto the shelf or into the refrigerator) I'm having to move them 5 times. If I were a nice person it would be 6 times, because now they have these shelves at the end of the bagging area where they tend to let the bags accumulate. I've noticed that most customers will put the groceries into the carts. (Needless to say, I don't.)
Separate but related is food stores. Here in central NC Food Lion has renovated their stores recently to "improve customer service" with the result that now nobody can find anything, they've put things on higher shelves to get more products into the store which is hard on vertically-challenged shoppers, and, worst of all, instead of the clerks taking my items out of the cart and processing them I have to take my items out of the cart and put them on the belt. It irritates the crap out of me. I can understand that they like it because they're picking up the groceries once not twice for 8 hours a day, but now instead of me moving the groceries 4 times (into the cart, into my car, into the house, onto the shelf or into the refrigerator) I'm having to move them 5 times. If I were a nice person it would be 6 times, because now they have these shelves at the end of the bagging area where they tend to let the bags accumulate. I've noticed that most customers will put the groceries into the carts. (Needless to say, I don't.)
211ejj1955
>210 karenmarie: You've been spoiled ;-) I don't ever remember shopping for groceries and not having to put them on the belt myself.
Oh--one exception, the polar opposite in terms of service--where I used to live, in Connecticut, one could order groceries online and have them delivered the next day. Open the door and the bags were put inside, and, to boot, it was the nicest produce and meats imaginable. The delivery cost about $5, which in terms of both gas and time saved, was more than worth it.
How I miss living in such civilization!
Oh--one exception, the polar opposite in terms of service--where I used to live, in Connecticut, one could order groceries online and have them delivered the next day. Open the door and the bags were put inside, and, to boot, it was the nicest produce and meats imaginable. The delivery cost about $5, which in terms of both gas and time saved, was more than worth it.
How I miss living in such civilization!
212karenmarie
#211 - guess I've been spoiled all my life. All 57 years of it.
214ejj1955
>213 chg1: Boy, did you come to the wrong thread, then ;-)
Kidding, of course, all are welcome here, even if their peeve is peeves!
Kidding, of course, all are welcome here, even if their peeve is peeves!
216ejj1955
>215 chg1: My last in-house job included a performance review in which I was criticized for being "sarcastic and negative." I was offended--I'd give them sarcastic, sure, but I was putting a lot of effort into being sunny and gung-ho every time I walked in the door. Humph.
Oh--pet peeve: being double-teamed by supervisors during a review process. I can think of three times it happened in my life, and each time was miserable.
Oh--pet peeve: being double-teamed by supervisors during a review process. I can think of three times it happened in my life, and each time was miserable.
218techeditor
People at work who don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom
People who tailgate on the freeway when they think 75 mph is too slow
Women who have one child and a husband and think they're busier than anyone else
People who tailgate on the freeway when they think 75 mph is too slow
Women who have one child and a husband and think they're busier than anyone else
219techeditor
Also, having to pretend you're working during downtime at work
220PhaedraB
Youngsters who think you can achieve anything if you just work at it hard enough.
Easy to believe when you're 20-30, a lot harder to believe when you're 50-60. Sheer force of will is not always enough.
Easy to believe when you're 20-30, a lot harder to believe when you're 50-60. Sheer force of will is not always enough.
221ejj1955
>220 PhaedraB: You said it! Pretty sure it's time to accept that I'm never going to be an astronaut, no matter what I might try to do.
222pollysmith
One thing I always have trouble with is my "acerbic wit" I'm sarcastic, yes and quick to quip. I get in trouble at work because of it and told that my attitude is bad....really? My attitude?
224pollysmith
Thank you. I am reliable and efficient and thats what should count
225lostinalibrary
Most of my pet peeves have been covered like tailgating and people who text or talk on their cell phone while driving. But other pet peeves are
People who call me 'close minded' when I don't share their beliefs (stuff like illuminati conspiracies or fortune telling). How come I'm the one who's close minded?
My American spell-check which is constantly correcting me when I write words like favourite, honour - any of those words which us Canadians spell with a u
Buying things only to discover a) I have to put them together myself and b) there's always a screw missing when I do
People who call me 'close minded' when I don't share their beliefs (stuff like illuminati conspiracies or fortune telling). How come I'm the one who's close minded?
My American spell-check which is constantly correcting me when I write words like favourite, honour - any of those words which us Canadians spell with a u
Buying things only to discover a) I have to put them together myself and b) there's always a screw missing when I do
226Neverwithoutabook
# 225 - lostinalibrary
I hear you on that spell-check thing! SO annoying! You'd think they could at least acknowledge that there's an alternative spelling!
I hear you on that spell-check thing! SO annoying! You'd think they could at least acknowledge that there's an alternative spelling!
228ejj1955
>225 lostinalibrary:, 226 If you are talking about the spell check feature in Word, you can change the dictionary it uses. Go to "Tools," then "Options" and then the tab for spelling and grammar. There's a UK dictionary option, though I don't see one that's Canadian. You can also turn off the spell check option entirely (something I've done with the grammar checker, as my grammar is better than theirs, in my opinion!).
229lostinalibrary
>228 ejj1955: I tried your suggestion but I own a Mac and I couldn't get it to work. I can shut spell check off but my spelling is not that good. I'm just glad I don't have to use words like theatre and cheque very often or I'd be tearing my hair out.
230ejj1955
>229 lostinalibrary: I'm sorry; it's been years since I worked on a Mac, so I'm not up on the differences. I suppose another option if you wanted to go to the trouble is to check important compositions against a UK dictionary site (e.g., http://oxforddictionaries.com/publicstart). Not quite the same as a user-friendly spell-check, I know.
231pmackey
>229 lostinalibrary:, I don't know whether this works for a Mac, but on my PC I can add specific spellings so they no longer show up as errors. I use a lot of acronyms and initials and it is irritating to see a screen of red underlines. I fix that by adding them to my computer dictionary.
Of course, I could suggest you dump the Mac, but that would be so controversial LT would need a new group: Pro and Con (Mac vs PC). Members would go at it with hammers and tongs -- it would make the Pro and Con (Religion) look mild by comparison. ; )
Of course, I could suggest you dump the Mac, but that would be so controversial LT would need a new group: Pro and Con (Mac vs PC). Members would go at it with hammers and tongs -- it would make the Pro and Con (Religion) look mild by comparison. ; )
232PhaedraB
On a Mac, you go into Word > preferences > spelling and grammar.
But the easiest thing is to right-click on any word you know is correct and click on "Add". It will never display as misspelled again.
But the easiest thing is to right-click on any word you know is correct and click on "Add". It will never display as misspelled again.
233pmackey
PhaedraB, you made that too easy! I was really hoping to convince lostinalibrary to dump the Mac.
235pmackey
Yes, PhaedraB, Mac believers are fervid -- Steve Jobs bless 'em! Sadly, until I see the light I must continue mucking about with my PC.
237ejj1955
Thanks, Phaedra, that's just what was needed. I hope LostinaLibrary will be much less frustrated now! and will find other pet peeves . . .
238chg1
my 2 cents...
Operating systems, hardware, this or that. I really don;t care just so long as the bloody thing does what I want...
Operating systems, hardware, this or that. I really don;t care just so long as the bloody thing does what I want...
239DocWood
"I wish people who put apostrophes in their plurals would stop making up quizzes on FaceBook."
/snort!/
/snort!/
242DocWood
also obscene bumper stickers (I mean, is that really necessary?) and dogs riding loose in the beds of pickup trucks.
243pmackey
>242 DocWood: I'm with you on the obscene bumper stickers. More than those, though, I hate the testicles some people put on their truck's trailer hitch. I mean, really, are they that juvenile?
244DocWood
>243 pmackey: Wait. Testicles? Really??
I am pleased to say I've never seen that one. Down here we use a little grease and a cut-open tennis ball.
I am pleased to say I've never seen that one. Down here we use a little grease and a cut-open tennis ball.
246pmackey
Well, not to be graphic, they dangle beneath the truck, not exactly on the hitch. I don't want to sound truckophobic, but I'm not comfortable examining a -- erhh -- a truck's private parts.
247MerryMary
I see them a lot in my neck of the woods. I sometimes ponder the meaning - exactly what is the message here?
"I am displaying this trophy to illustrate my toughness and warrior abilities."
"I am compensating for a lack of self-confidence by displaying large body parts as if they were my own."
"I am expressing my wit and humor, as we all know male body parts are hilarious."
"Hanging testicles from my truck bumpers means I'm a MAN!"
I dunno. That's all I can come up with.
"I am displaying this trophy to illustrate my toughness and warrior abilities."
"I am compensating for a lack of self-confidence by displaying large body parts as if they were my own."
"I am expressing my wit and humor, as we all know male body parts are hilarious."
"Hanging testicles from my truck bumpers means I'm a MAN!"
I dunno. That's all I can come up with.
248pollysmith
How about "I'm a dumb@$$"
250staffordcastle
I'd vote for that last one.
251pollysmith
LOL
252alaudacorax
I've probably posted above, somewhere, how much I hate cold callers. A short while ago I had a call from someone who said he was from some marketing research company. I said I wasn't interested and added that I was on British Telecom's 'preference scheme' and wasn't supposed to receive cold calls. His answer?
"Oh, that doesn't apply to me 'cos I'm not selling anything. Can you spare me five minutes, please?"
My not-so-subconsious was going KILL! KILL! KILL!
"Oh, that doesn't apply to me 'cos I'm not selling anything. Can you spare me five minutes, please?"
My not-so-subconsious was going KILL! KILL! KILL!
253Neverwithoutabook
@ # 252 - Unfortunately, the no-call list seems not to apply to calls for surveys or randomly generated call lists. Some don't even have a human attached. I worked for an answering service a couple of years ago and we constantly got calls on all of our forwarded numbers from recorded messages. I remember one started out with the sound of a ships horn blasting and then a deep male voice would come on saying "This is your Captain speaking...." We never listened longer to find out what the "Captain" had to say. This is one of my worst peeves....recorded messages that call you! If it comes up on the call display as 000-000-0000....you can bet it's one of those!
254alaudacorax
Yes, I've had them on my answerphone. I find it very difficult to believe that they get any returns from them.
255pmackey
They do it because people like my 86 year-old father-in-law answers just to talk with someone. Kind of sad, really... It just irks me that he gives to charities over the phone -- at least I hope they're charities and not scams. No one needs his money more than he does. We try to tell him to be more discerning but he doesn't listen. Come to think of it, he never has listened to anyone's advice unless it was what he already wanted to do.
256ejj1955
Even worse are the ones that call and then ask you to hold on for the caller--I just say (usually to space) "you guys called me!" and hang up.
257bcwoodywiz
We have a easy way to get rid of most cold callers as they seem to originate from overseas and there is a time delay before they start talking . Perfect time to hang up.Thank goodness we don't get machine generated calls yet although some political parties seem to be trialling it.
258staffordcastle
Fortunately, our phone tells us when it's a political call, so we can either not answer or hang up.
259ejj1955
Today's pet: People who call me up, talk about their lives/concerns/worries/thoughts/obsessions/etc. and then cut me short when I want to talk about my own stuff.
260LA12Hernandez
>259 ejj1955:
Especially when that's the only time they call.
Especially when that's the only time they call.
268jjwilson61
261-267> Do you know that we have no idea which message you're responding to?
269trishpaw
268
Sorry. I am new to this and thought I had it in the right spot. Thanks for pointing out my mistake.
Sorry. I am new to this and thought I had it in the right spot. Thanks for pointing out my mistake.
270trishpaw
Messages have been deleted, so there won't be any confusion on who I was talking to. BTW, this is to #268 as well.
271Booksloth
#269/270 Re your posts in the Pedants' Corner Pet Peeves - looks like you found the right place here! Welcome to the wonderful world of LT. I will never understand why each individual message has its own 'reply' as the replies just get lumped on the end of the thread so what you did was an easy mistake to make and one that I'm willing to bet we've all done when we first joined.
272trishpaw
271-Thanks! I was feeling like maybe I should just drop out of this whole thing rather than annoy everyone...
273alaudacorax
No, don't do that! We're not as grumpy as the thread makes us seem - honest!
And, by the way, welcome to LibraryThing.
And, by the way, welcome to LibraryThing.
274Booksloth
#271 No, please don't do that. Just give it a few months and you'll find you've become every bit as grumpy as the rest of us! ;-)
275jjwilson61
269> Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as grumpy. Instead of deleting them you could have just edited those posts to add the message number, or just left them.
276trishpaw
273 -275 Thanks so much! I have only been on here a few days and feel like I am going to become addicted to this site. My Facebook time will suffer...
My current pet peeves are the telemarketers, who refuse to abide by the DNC list, and are rude and surly when you ask them to, people who text and drive, and customer service almost anywhere. I recently called a company and talked to three different people and got three different prices. Then they want me to fill out a survey. I refuse now, because I can't honestly say that the rep was knowledgeble or helpful for a billing cycle. Have a bunch more, but that will suffice.
My current pet peeves are the telemarketers, who refuse to abide by the DNC list, and are rude and surly when you ask them to, people who text and drive, and customer service almost anywhere. I recently called a company and talked to three different people and got three different prices. Then they want me to fill out a survey. I refuse now, because I can't honestly say that the rep was knowledgeble or helpful for a billing cycle. Have a bunch more, but that will suffice.
277Booksloth
And people who carry on their phone conversation regardless of what else is going on around them. Bad enough, the receptionists who ignore you standing in front of them to continue to chat, without so much as an acknowledgement that you are standing there and a quick "Be with you in a moment", but even worse are the ones who chat while queueing in (eg) a bank, then transact the whole of their business by mime so that they don't have to cut their conversation short. I find this so unbelievably rude that I always make a point of discussing their bad manners loudly with the teller when it is my turn. I hope that if I was the person in that job I would refuse to interact with them until they had pocketed their phone.
278alaudacorax
One of my latest pet peeves - Google's constant pestering for me to use my real name on YouTube so as to make things easier for their friends in the advertising industry and the Guild of Thieves. I don't mind them asking once, but, once they've been refused, the regularly repeated asking is bordering on bullying - irritating, discourteous and offensive. It was a black day when Google took over YouTube - they clearly regard the users with contempt - just so much livestock to be exploited.
I could go on for paragraphs on this ...
I could go on for paragraphs on this ...
279theretiredlibrarian
~277; The post office where I used to live had several signs in which they refused service if you were on your phone. My doctor's office does the same. I think every store, bank, and office should do the same. And it's not only young people who have grown up with cell phones and perhaps have a different idea of manners...it's people who are definitely old enough to know better. But then again I was at a wedding recently in which a *mature* woman wore a white dress (and it was NOT a "black & white" wedding). And don't even get me started on men who wear hats at the table, and even INSIDE the church sanctuary. I dunno, maybe those are just arcane courtesies and manners...like ladies always wearing hose, hats and gloves when they went out. OK, I'm pretty happy about that one. :)
280ejj1955
>279 theretiredlibrarian: Not just hose, hats, and gloves, but also girdles (ugh) and makeup. At some point a few years ago I just stopped wearing makeup and I'm perfectly happy not to have to bother getting all that stuff off my face at the end of every day.
281PhaedraB
I gave up make-up around 1967. Haven't missed it (and saved a ton of money, too). Last time I wore make-up was for my wedding in 1986. Lucky for me, the best man was the make-up designer for the Chicago Opera Theater, so he did my face for the ceremony.
As late as the early '70s (don't know about after that) it was required that airline stewardesses (they weren't flight attendants yet) wear girdles, make-up, and nail polish. Had a friend in the business and she let me see their manual. Put me off of looking into it as a career.
As late as the early '70s (don't know about after that) it was required that airline stewardesses (they weren't flight attendants yet) wear girdles, make-up, and nail polish. Had a friend in the business and she let me see their manual. Put me off of looking into it as a career.
282mamzel
>279 theretiredlibrarian: The post office where I used to live had several signs in which they refused service if you were on your phone. My doctor's office does the same.
I wish I could deduct money from my bill for the time I have to stand and wait while the person at the desk took a call! I work in a high school library and the kids look so confused when I let the phone ring while I finish taking care of them.
I wish I could deduct money from my bill for the time I have to stand and wait while the person at the desk took a call! I work in a high school library and the kids look so confused when I let the phone ring while I finish taking care of them.
