Pet Peeves

Pet Peeve -- something that a particular person finds especially annoying. Through my years of living, I've developed several pet peeves. I have always hoped that some of these things wouldn't bother me to the level they do, but once you set a pet peeve in your annoyance bank -- it's hard to rid yourself of your reaction. I guess this is where my "Taming My Thoughts" book should be put into practice.

I get annoyed when someone says supposebly instead of supposedly. I'm sure they could read my facial expression when they've said that word in my presence, because my face speaks a thousand words I wish it wouldn't at times.

I get annoyed when someone puts an empty juice or milk carton back in the refrigerator, but what really chaps my hide is when they leave a smidgen amount and then put it back into the refrigerator as if someone really is going to want to use that small amount. I often think they do it, because they don't want to make the effort of throwing the carton away. And when you think of it, how hard is it really to throw the carton in the trash can that is usually nearby in vicinity?

This same practice goes along with those who put the broken ends of a bag of chips or cereal boxes back into the pantry. Like, "Yeah, I really want to eat those remnants of food." I remember as a mother, I would always ask my children why?

I hate when people use the last of the toilet paper and leave like three sheets on the end of the roll instead of going down into the cabinet or even the roll right under the dispenser and replacing it. Three sheets isn't going to work for anyone after the toileting process. Oh and don't even hang the roll the opposite way that I showed you how I like it to hang. I especially got annoyed at my coworkers when they knew there wasn't any toilet paper left in the dispenser at work, but rather than having our custodian refill it or refilling it themselves for the next person, they would just leave. There were many of times that I would have to go into the custodial closet and get replacement paper in order to use the restroom. The same goes for paper towels. There is nothing more annoying than seeing an empty roll or dispenser left by the person who took the last of the paper towels.

Oh another, squeezing the middle of the tube of toothpaste. It looks like it was wearing a belt and is all cinched up in the middle and even to top it off, leaving the lid open or off. My stomach cringes when I think of my other pet peeve when it comes to toothpaste. When we were children, my parents could only afford one tube of toothpaste so everyone had to use the same tube of toothpaste. Right before my Dad would brush his teeth, he would open the tube and slide his dirty morning breath tongue across the top of the tube to get his toothpaste to brush his teeth. I don't know how much toothpaste I wasted, but I used to always squeeze a portion off the top, because I could see a puddle of saliva the was left behind.

I never had this pet peeve until my BFF noticed that my family did it and I had not paid attention. But when someone spreads butter on their toast and then dips the knife back into the butter and leaves their remnant toast crumbs behind and then leaves it without cleaning it up for the next person. This also goes for the person who leaves peanut butter mixed in the jelly jar. Or worse yet the person who licks the knife clean of peanut butter and contaminates the jelly with the same licked knife. I've witnessed this maneuver myself.

I've seen this more than once in my life. When a food service worker who is preparing your food is a teenager with pimples and as they wait for food to be processed, they stand there and pop their pimples. I've actually refused the food and told them what I saw and had someone else remake it as I watched.

People cutting their toe nails and/or fingernails and letting them fly all over the floor and not control where they land. If I ever step on one or see one on the floor or carpet, the whole house will know it. I think that is PTSD from my Dad again, who used to cut his nails and leave them piled on our tables or counters for someone else to clean up. Disgusting.

People who cut you off on the freeway or accelerate after seeing your blinker go on to change lanes.

Getting in a line at any store and the person buying items stays and chats with the cashier as everyone is waiting behind them. A slow cashier is also annoying. This one is a tough one for me because I was an efficient cashier who was able to get people through my line in a time saving manner. Also engaging in conversation as I worked.

People who throw their used Kleenex outside of the waste basket. Like who really wants to pick that stuff up? I don't. Worse yet, when they are sick they blow their nose and put the used Kleenex on the blankets next to them. Going into the pockets of someone who has not emptied them out in order to do laundry. The used hankies and Kleenex. Disgusting. (Cloth hankies are a no go in my house.)

People who chew with their mouths open. and talk with their mouths full. Same with those who make smacking or grunting noises as they eat. Also when people chew crunchy vegetables or apples in stereo frequency. Oh, this one is harsh, I can't stand to hear someone swallow, especially if they are drinking beverages.

People who use their clothes as napkins as they are eating or use their upper sleeves and clothes as tissue for their noses or sweating foreheads. However, I've experienced those who use furniture or walls to wipe their boogies on -- now that is gross to a whole new level.

People who pass flatulence in public next to a crowd of people. Really?

People who tap their pens or pencils on a table next to me or click the ends of pens.

Chewing gum and making it crack between their teeth. That's annoying.

People who talk on speaker phones in public places or listen to their music without head phones or pods.

People who eat fish on a plane.

People who consume alcoholic beverages and as they are talking to you keep burping silently in your face. It's even worse if they have just had food with that beverage.

At Christmas time when there are shared chocolates available for everyone to eat and someone has poked their fingers under each one to pick the one they want to eat. Why would anyone do that?

Used socks left in shoes.

Dirty laundry on the side of the hamper.

Drawers and cupboards left open instead of closing them behind you.

Water marks and toothpaste splatter on the counters and mirrors in the bathrooms. Glass shower doors left foggy instead of using a squeegee and not wiping down the dripped on faucet so it shines. Hair left in drains.

Parents who let their kids run wild in business establishments and restaurants. Worse if their children are touching everything in their sight.

So the list goes on and on. However, I think people should practice restraint in some of these areas and realize that they may be contributing to these annoyances. If you have any pet peeves you would like to share with me, please leave me a response in the comments. I understand that I am not the only one who has pet peeves.