Really?

In general, I like to think that each individual person is relatively intelligent. I’m not always able to convince myself of this principle, but it’s something I try to hold onto. (Conversely, I am completely convinced that groups of people are entirely unintelligent and prone to idiotic thinking and moribund tendencies.) Unfortunately, but like most people, there are some things that people tend to do that just bother me in that odd unsettling kind of way. Some examples:

- Elevator etiquette. This covers a wide range of gaffes, but the most common seem to be repeatedly pressing the up/down button (somehow assuming this actually helps speed up the process), watching someone else press the up/down button and then walking up to press the same button whilst giving a look like they didn’t do it right, or staring at you as if you are directly responsible for the slowness of the elevator. The two that bother me the most, however, are the people who stand directly in front of the elevator door and refusing to move out of the way of those who are trying to get off, and the people who believe they are too good to wait an extra 30 seconds and use the service elevators with signs that read something like “Maintenance Personnel Only.” Somehow, elevators have somehow brought out the negatives in people that stairs had managed, for so long, to avoid. So much for that.

- Driving habits: You’ve all seen them. They talk on the phone, swerve three lanes at a time, drive 25 mph over/under the speed limit, tailgate just about anything, and whatever else. The two (I’ll stick with that number today I suppose) that bug me the most? People who insist on texting while they drive (because, obviously, nothing could ever happen on the road while you’re looking down) and people who don’t use their blinker. The blinker is the simplest courtesy you can offer while in a car but is often overlooked. The confusion on their faces if you dare to honk at them can be priceless though. Texting is, altogether, idiotic. I was recently provided with an opportunity to watch a driver slam into the back of another car because she was texting and didn’t realize that 15 other cars were stopped at the traffic light during the 5 o’clock hour. What would have been amusing (if it weren’t so irrationally upsetting) was watching her get out of the car to swear at the driver of the parked car for stopping so suddenly. I guess sitting at a red light for 15 seconds can be considered by some to be a rude proposition. Fortunately, three other drivers popped out of their cars to give her a piece of their collective minds. Not surprisingly, the police officers didn’t buy her side of the story (whatever she managed to b.s. to them) either.

- Work etiquette. I have the privilege (or horror, rather) of sharing a cubicle with another employee two days every week. I am appalled at the number of texts, personal phone calls, and other recreational activities that permeate their unconscionable attitude. Heavy sighs and crass language follow just about every work request. Upon receiving a phone call, one of the first words from their mouth is, “chillin’,” which, I suppose, is true considering their definitely not working. The computer screen is continually adjusted away from me with flashes of ire as I, apparently, am interrupting whatever it is that their doing. What’s even more surprising is the number of personal phone calls, consisting of some new offer or opportunity, come to our main office line in an effort to get a hold of them. Somehow, they don’t see this as a problem. I, on the other hand, am forced to listen to one side of whatever inane “conversation” that happens to be going on at the time.

Everyone has their buttons, the things that bug them. These just happen to be a few of mine. Well, most of them really. I find that it is usually pretty easy for me to just let things slide, especially considering many of my own eccentricities. But, for each person, there are those little things that just get under your skin. Those pet peeves. Well, these are mine.

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