by Fran Mascioli

Created on: March 28, 2010   Last Updated: March 30, 2010

Ten Pet Peeves:

1.  Loud Talking.  Some assume everyone is interested in their conversation. Why can't people have the common courtesy to speak quietly? No one else cares if they thought that someone's brother’s girlfriend’s sister’s dress was too tight. Don’t they realize that they distract workers, customers, restaurant diners, business meetings, family reunions, and many other social events they are NOT a part of? 

2.  Standing too close to strangers while at a receptionist waiting area (or at the supermarket, bank, post office, in line at the theater, at the check-in point in the doctor’s office, behind ATM machines). WHY do people do this? Do they not realize they cause emotional distress due to identity theft and other privacy invasion crimes?

3.  Allowing a cell phone to ring at quiet events. Oh, please, have the common courtesy to turn it off BEFORE entering.

4.  Having a stranger's groceries butt against yours already being checked out on the feeder because they are in a big hurry to check out. Does this make others feel superior (as if they have somewhere better or more important to be?) We ALL have other things on our to-do lists. This is exceptionally rude, because it often mixes up items for the checker and first customer.  Then they stand behind people huffing, puffing, sighing, and grumbling because the line isn't moving fast enough.  Oh, please shut up, stand still, wait your turn, allow some distance between the two orders, and take your Prozac.

5.  Texting while driving! Don’t cause an accident because the gang is meeting for drinks after work and coordinated plans need to be made.

6.  Letting children run wild in stores (especially when elderly customers are present)... this is so dangerous. It can cause an unstable seventy or eighty-year-old to stumble from the sudden distraction.

7.  Gesturing or making facial grimaces to another driver to "hurry-it-up" while waiting to secure that almost vacant spot closest to a building.   Patience is a virtue.

8.  Litter!  Throwing the extra packets of ketchup from a car window that the drive-thru clerk included as a courtesy with your quick lunch order. The next car is going to roll over them and cause a huge mess requiring clean up. Were some never taught any manners? Please throw them away in the proper container with the rest of the fast food bag and papers.

9.  Blowing disgusting smoke in non-smokers' faces at the entrance to a job, business, airport, supermarket, doctor’s office, restaurant, or the theater. Just because you are not allowed to smoke INSIDE the building, do you have to stand in front of the door, just feet from others entering and exiting? Please have sense enough to move to the side of the building to conduct your ritual. And... the seats that were provided by the building owner out front were not put there exclusively for smokers.

10.  Walking through the front entrance of a public building, and not glancing quickly to see if there is a need to hold the door a moment for someone behind you.  And then not apologizing when the door slams shut in the next person's face.  This takes just a second to be kind, and is so often neglected.

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