Pet Peeves
What exactly IS a pet peeve, you ask? Why, of course, I am so glad that you asked.
First, we ALL have at least one. Most of us have a plethora of them.
Perhaps we keep them on the down low, but more than likely, at least a handful of OUR pet peeves are known to most or all of those in our daily path.
But, again, what IS a pet peeve?
According to dictionary.com com, a pet peeve is: a particular and often continual annoyance; personal bugbear. (Note 1)
Merriam-Webster.com states something amazingly similar: a frequent subject of complaint. (Note 2)
After duckduckgo.com and I searched the internet, I thought it would be fun to start with the list I found of the 10 ten biggest Pet Peeves. Check it out and see if you agree.
Mouth Noises/chewing with mouth open. Oh yes, that is definitely at or near the top of my list, for sure. I do better with it now, became very close to violence more times than I can count in younger days to punching someone for that.
People who use the word "your" instead of "you're". This one bothers me when I see it in written format. It doesn't bother me so much when they speak it. LOL!! Okay, but seriously, how often do we see this in comments on FB and other social media? Oh wait, I can't count that high.
Poor driving etiquette. I had to think about this one for a minute. I guess it belongs on the list. After all, I burn slow and long when I get behind someone that cuts me off and then drives 20 mph below the speed limit.
Not washing hands after using the restroom. Not on my top 10. How about yours?
The naming of celebrity couples. Well, I see Bennifer is back together. Don't care, either. Okay, guess you could say I don't even pay attention to that stuff.
People who throw trash from their car window as they drive. Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes. This one will drive my blood pressure through the roof, I will get right on their tale and let them have it verbally until they - or I - turn in a different direction.
When people copy you in every way. Can't say I have every seen this. Then again, if someone is so hard up they need to copy me, I am not going to bash them about it. I think they need an extra dollop of sympathy, actually.
Cell Phone Drivers. Okay, first of all, how does one drive a cell phone. In all seriousness, yes, this is very high on my list. Especially after being behind them long enough to hit every digit on the speedometer numerous times, and watched them swerve from lane to lane, and watched them hit the brake then the gas for no obvious reason for most of the ride. Yep, I have issues with this one, too.
Screaming children/ temper tantrums. Hm, the first thing that popped in my head was how many times I have actually encouraged a tantrum in progress. I find it fun and entertaining, myself. That's just me though.
Bitchy schoolgirls. Fortunately, I spend little time with that group any longer. However, yes, in the past, that would rank around #10 for me. (Note 3)
So, besides violence, how do we effectively deal with pet peeves? Here are some suggestions from experts:
Pretend it doesn't bother you.
Let it go.
Talk about it.
Don't raise the subject in public.
Acknowledge what you do like, if there is something.
Address it with the person(s).
Remove it.
Chill out.
Walk away.
Hm, they all sound fairly simple, right.
Realizing that I am making light about something that truly annoys me is, perhaps indicative of how I actually deal with them when confronted by them. I make a joke of it until I am in private and then I blow steam until I feel better and calmer.
An expert would, without a doubt, tell me that is not the correct way, but it is MY way and it works for me.
I would love to hear back from you all about your pet peeves and how you deal with them.
Who knows? We may all learn something new, that is helpful and might save some lives in the process.
There is a comment button here or you can text me or post on FB, if you don't mind sharing.
This would fall under the heading of learning something that will help us to become better people.
So, all joking aside, if you know of some things that will help, and that have proven to work, PLEASE share with the rest of us.
And, with that being said, I will see you all here next week. In the meantime, please stay safe and well - and calm!
P.S. I thought I would end with one my BIGGEST pet peeves. That would be this song: