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This week we’re discussing expressions, behaviors, and activities that annoy us. I had to really take a few days to think about this – I guess it’s because I try to not let things bother me. Or maybe it’s because I don’t get out much, at least among people who annoy me. It’s a good thing I start my posts on Friday, so I’ve had the entire weekend to think about it.
Bothersome Phrases
“You don’t want to do that.” This was one my husband said often during the first several years of our marriage. He’s seven years older than me and felt he needed to share the benefit of his wisdom. Unfortunately, the message I received was “I am going to tell you what should and should not do” which did not set well with me. I think I finally have him trained to say “I don’t think that’s a good idea” followed by a logical explanation.
“I don’t care.” I remember hearing this one when I first met my husband’s children. This seemed to be the response for everything from “Do you guys want to get a pizza tonight?” to “Let’s go to the mall this afternoon.” I imagine they were conveying the idea that they were fine with whatever we planned for their time with us, but when I explained that I really wanted their input and that “I don’t care” is a negative response, they gradually changed their tunes. Now that they’re parents, I’ve noticed they don’t accept “I don’t care” as a response!
“Don’t go ballistic.” My daughters started throwing this at me when they were in their difficult pre-teen years. Everything I said was deemed stupid and when I expressed displeasure at things they said and did, my reactions were considered extreme, even when I didn’t say anything! Again, growing up and having children of their own was a sure cure.
Behaviors that Bug Me
Loud voices. My kids tell me that my hearing is getting bad, but for some reason I’m always able to pick up what people are saying in the next booth, or in the row behind me at church or in a meeting or across the room at a doctor’s office. If I am hard of hearing, then it seems that the lady or gentleman whose conversation is being shared with me must really be loud! Seriously, ma’am, I am sorry that your last date didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped, but I don’t need to hear the details.
Disregard for time. I like to be punctual, and my hubby likes to be early. There are times when I show up five minutes after the time agreed upon, but those occasions are rare. So I get impatient when people are habitually late. The message I get from this is that my time is worth less than theirs.
Annoying Activities
Practical jokes. I don’t like them. Period. Please don’t involve me in them.
Copy this and share it on your profile. Sorry. I don’t think that copying and sharing something on my Facebook page is going to change the world, save a life, or prevent other untold disasters. And if that means I’m not your friend, well, I guess we weren’t that close to begin with.
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I imagine if I took more time to ponder this I’d come up with more examples, but I don’t like to think in negative terms. I’d much rather dwell on good things people do. Hope nothing is annoying you today!
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
Ha! Glad I didn’t have to write this – my list gets longer as I get older!! But I agree with all yours 🙂
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I suppose that’s true, Helen, but the nice thing about aging is that it’s easier to forget things that bother me! Thanks for weighing in.
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This is another of those several occasions where I could take your column, slap my name on it, and it would be almost a perfect fit.
In the case of the BEHAVIOR and ACTIVITIES you listed — it’s a direct fit … I hate all those.
In particular, I despise “practical jokes” … which are never practical and (to me) never funny. Most seem to be threaded with hostility and/or malice and many are downright dangerous. Publicly humiliating someone is NOT funny, NOT a sport, and can cause lasting emotional scarring.
And whenever the “joke” is also physical, there is often a strong chance of injury (or worse).
Like you, I do NOT participate in the “if you care, copy, paste, share, post, etc.” Folks, if you don’t have anything original to say on FB, then just read and move on. But please DON’T “test” me (or my friendship) by asking me to mindlessly endorse something someone else has written.
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Glad you agree! It’s odd, though – I don’t recall being “unfriended” by anyone for not sharing. I’m sure you’ll come up with some other bothersome things.
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You left very little for me to say on Friday!
I have to agree with practical jokes;I’ve been the butt of too many of them. My sister always loved to humiliate me in public.
And for the “share if you…” posts, well, we’re in trouble if EVERYONE has the most beautiful daughter in the world or worse, Jesus judges our hearts as worthy only if we annoy people on FB.
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I guess I should be thankful I had brothers and no sisters!
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I hate that copy and paste stuff on Facebook. Or the “my true friends will do this…” There is no need to test friendship.
I also don’t like that “if you believe in God you’ll share this.” I am not going to share something just because someone says I should to prove I’m a Christian.
I remember responding “I don’t care.” when I was younger. It bothers me now that I’m a parent.
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It sure changes your perspective when you’re the parent, doesn’t it?
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The copy and paste things on FB annoy me also. I always think they are going to be someone’s deep thoughts about something and am disappointed that they aren’t really someone’s personal thoughts. Things like that make me want to participate in FB less and less. Although you’ll see that I did a copy and paste post today. It was, however, one that you had to put your own responses in.
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I don’t mind the ones where we change responses to fit ourselves. But the ones that claim that copying and posting are necessary to prove my friendship or my loyalties are the ones I ignore. It’s annoying, but not enough to make me stay away – I’d miss too many pictures of my kids and grandkids!
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