I Was Thinking... Pet Peeves

There are a lot of things in life that can cause human conflict. It could be international struggles, political differences, or national affairs. Most of those things we have no control over, and we’ve learned not to let them bother us. However, the things that may drive us over the edge are those little irritations that are a part of our everyday life. We call them pet peeves.
Before I go any further, I have a disclaimer to make. These pet peeves have been well researched via the internet, from listening to conversations between couples we associate with, and ones provided by friends. These are not necessarily ones that occur in my own home. Including too many personal ones could be injurious to my well-being.
Pet peeves can be of a very impersonal nature because you don’t even know the person who is doing it. It could be that driver that drives slow in the passing lane, the one who doesn’t dim their bright lights, or somebody that has their turn signals on for three miles.
Sometimes it is someone you encounter at the mall. The guy wearing black socks with sandals, the person in front of you at the food court that can’t decide what to order, or the person who believes everyone wants to hear their personal cell phone conversation.
There is also the person who talks during movies, the waitress who calls everyone “honey” or “sweetie,” or the person that the next table that chews with their mouth open. But a person that causes you irritations can also be somebody you do know.
You can select your friends, but not your co-workers. Every workplace has someone who never cleans up after making a mess in the lounge microwave. There is also the person who continually taps or clicks their pens during meetings. How about the person who does “reply all” to every e-mail they get?
Occasionally someone you work with feels it is okay to clean or clip their fingernails, crack their knuckles, or put on make-up in the company break room. But the ones that may cause the biggest irritations are the ones that are the most personal.
Even people we consider friends can sometimes drive us up the wall. The “one upper” can raise our ire. No matter what size fish you caught, what award your kids won, or what a good deal you got, they can always top it.
Some supposed friend may ask in a caring voice, “Are you okay, you look so tired?” There are also the ones who interrupt and continually talk over you when you’re trying to make a point. Some friends cannot carry on a conversation without repeating some terms again and again. Within every sentence they include “I mean,” “you know,” “um,” “like,” “I don’t know?” or any other irritating phrase. However, the pet peeves that may cause the most trouble could be the ones that occur right at home.
Men and women just naturally attract. During the time when they meet, date and first marry, they are on their best behavior. But then time passes. What may have been cute idiosyncrasies early in the relationship may now grate on our nerves.
I’m not going to attribute any of these particular pet peeves to either gender. The reader may make their determination as to who commits this action most of the time.
The following includes: “Why can’t anyone turn these lights off? Who left the cupboard doors or drawers open? Why did someone put the empty ketchup bottle back in the fridge? Who left the toilet seat up? Dirty clothes belong in the hamper not on the floor.
Why are there bits of Kleenex all over the clothes in the washer? Who forgot to clean out the tub drain? Dirty dishes belong in the washer, not the sink. How long can one person spend in the bathroom? How long does it take for someone to figure out what to wear? Who keeps squeezing the toothpaste in the middle?”
One warning, if you are reading this, be very careful about pointing out some of these to your significant other. It may disturb the Peace on Earth of Christmas.
Did You Ever Wonder? — Why can’t women put on mascara with their mouth closed?