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pride and under-do politeness.

8) NAME DROPPING

Who do you know? Certain individuals aim to improve their own social standing by peppering their speech with names of celebrities, influential people and popular folks. They look for opportunities to mention famous relatives, friends and contacts.

Perhaps these name-droppers feel inadequate in their own identities. Do they believe others will like or respect them more, simply because they have known or interacted with someone well-known?

Of course, a job recommendation or a reference letter for university admission may hold more clout, if it comes from an influential individual. However, in social situations, people may be simply annoyed by repeated name-dropping.

7) PASSING-LANE PARKING

Nearly everyone has sensed the irritation of zipping into the passing lane on a major thoroughfare, only to find a poky driver clogging the road. On multi-lane roadways, the passing lane is designed for faster vehicles.

However, certain people seem to be oblivious to the growing traffic pileups in their rear-view mirrors. Either that, or they have appointed themselves as citizen speed regulators, who force everyone else to drive more slowly, simply because they do.

Right or wrong, passing-lane parking is a major contributor to road rage. These hesitant drivers would be safer in the slower lane, where they might take delight in watching real police nab the speeders.

6) CHAIR KICKING

How does it feel to sink comfortably into a theater, concert or cinema seat, eagerly awaiting the show, only to discover that another patron is kicking the back of your chair?

When this occurs, most audience members will turn and look at the offender. Often, that will be enough to stop him or her. If the chair-kicker is a child, the parent may remind him or her to cease and desist. Of course, that solution requires that a parent actually be present.

Still, some people do not pick up on subtle messages, so they may persist past the first intermission.

A single accidental kick to the back of a chair, as when a patron crosses his or her legs, may be overlooked. However, repeated tapping is either deliberate or ignorant, and may require a polite reminder. Tap-dancing belongs on the stage itself, not in the audience.

5) THE INVERTED GRIN

Everyone loves a friendly smile. However, polite people grin with their faces, not from the seat of their pants. Plumbers may have received a bum rap, as many others suffer from trouser slippage too. From men or women, revealing too much

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