Pet Peeves

[EmergingAlbert]

I recall seeing this thread before, but I can't seem to find it with the search engine, so either I imagined it or someone deleted it. Anyway, the title of this thread is pretty self-explanatory. If this is a duplicate thread, feel free to direct me to the original prior to deleting this one.

Most of my pet peeves are work-related, as I work in a customer service related job at a five star resort. Here are a few:

1. Guests call in asking why the light on their room phone is blinking. I inform them that they have a message. Then they ask how to check their messages. I tell them to push the "Messages" button on their phone (NO SHIT!). That part is more humorous than annoying. Next comes the infuriating part: they do press their messages button, but they DON'T HANG UP FIRST. They press their messages button while still on the phone with me, and I hear an eardrum-piercingly loud BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP in my ear. I know that I may not have the most common sense in the world, but I thought everyone knew that you have to hang up the phone before making another call. That's about as common as common sense gets!
2. Here's another work-related pet peeve. Guests who think that throwing a hissy fit will help them get their way. Quite the opposite is true. When they throw a hissy fit like a five-year-old, it makes me want to tell them to grow the fuck up and hang up the phone. It's pathetic...it's like a little kid who didn't get exactly what they wanted from Santa, so they're going to go cry to their mommy, except since their mommy isn't there, they cry to me. But the worst ones are the self-important ones that think that their business with us is soooo valuable. They'll say things like, "Well, I've been coming here for years, but I'm never coming back again!" The worst one I've gotten is, "I have invested lots of money into your stock, and now I'm getting rid of every bit of it!" Well, excuuuuuuse me, Mr. Your Revenue is Completely Dependent on My Business Alone! We have thousands of satisfied customers, and your business means less than 1% of our profit. If you never come back, that doesn't hurt my feelings. In fact, I am thrilled that you'll never be back because I never want to have to deal with your shit again. On the other hand, if you acted like a civilized, mature adult, I would be thrilled to assist you and have you come back to see us every year.
3. This one is kind of work-related but kind of not. There's a lady who shares a cublicle with me who pluralizes the names of all our restaurants. Only one of our restaurants has a plural name, and the other is possessive. So there are two restaurants ending in S. But she adds it to the end of every one. There's a Mexican restaurant called Solario, but she calls it "Solarios," for example. The reason I said it's only somewhat work-related is because this extends outside of work. Many other friends and family do this. My parents always call Kroger, our local grocery store, Krogers. They call Krystal, a fast food burger place, Krystals. I've even heard people call Wal-Mart "Wal-Marts." What's this obsession with the letter S? I will never understand it.

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head right now since I just got off work. I actually, believe it or not, like my job a lot. Most of the customers are just dandy, but those overemotional, pathetic whiners can really ruin my day. I'll think of some non-work pet peeves later and post them as they come to mind. But now it's your turn! Post away!

 

[Duxwing]

The pluralization of restaurants' names may be the result of an unconscious desire to associate objects with owners; that is to say, in your Solario scenario, the pluralizers may unconsciously believe that a being named Solario owns a chain of restaurants, which, intuitively, is called Solario's. The name, in turn, may be an abbreviation for "Solario's Chain of Restaurants," but I'm unsure.

On to my pet peeves:

• The negligent mangling of formal, written language in any way, shape or form.
• The inconsistencies, irregularities, and exceptions of otherwise intuitive, logical systems
• The misapplication of the Vulcan salute as a greeting, even in Star Trek canon
• The startling number of times that one refers to the concept that one is trying to prove
• The deliberately counterproductive design of the QWERTY keyboard layout
• Religion, quackery, and all other such illogical abominations
• The millions, if not billions, of people who need therapy but don't get it, and thus develop maladaptive and bothersome coping skills
• The letter X; it is unnecessary
• Buzzwords and memetic phrases
• The list goes on, and on...

-Duxwing

 

[EmergingAlbert]

The pluralization of restaurants' names may be the result of an unconscious desire to associate objects with owners; that is to say, in your Solario scenario, the pluralizers may unconsciously believe that a being named Solario owns a chain of restaurants, which, intuitively, is called Solario's.

I wonder what causes this unconscious desire.

The name, in turn, may be an abbreviation for "Solario's Chain of Restaurants," but I'm unsure.

It's actually not a chain...it's an independent restaurant owned and operated by the resort. But now I'm just being picky...that's not relevant to the discussion.

The negligent mangling of formal, written language in any way, shape or form.

I'm not sure what you mean by this...can you give an example?

The startling number of times that one refers to the concept that one is trying to prove

Examples for this one as well...

The deliberately counterproductive design of the QWERTY keyboard layout

I actually have an explanation for this one (at least what I've heard). The keys are laid out according to how often you use them as well as how often you use each letter together.

 

[pjoa09]

People.

 

[Solitaire U.]

People.

People who have an inordinate amount of pet peeves.

 

[Solitaire U.]

Heh, did I kill the thread?

 

[EmergingAlbert]

Heh, did I kill the thread?

I'm still here...just waiting for other people to post. I'm just notoriously bad at starting threads.

 

[Duxwing]

I wonder what causes this unconscious desire.

It's actually not a chain...it's an independent restaurant owned and operated by the resort. But now I'm just being picky...that's not relevant to the discussion.



I'm not sure what you mean by this...can you give an example?



Examples for this one as well...



I actually have an explanation for this one (at least what I've heard). The keys are laid out according to how often you use them as well as how often you use each letter together.

For the first pet peeve: "I have free will, therefore, I can apply free will to solve problems otherwise unsolvable by anything other than free will". Herein, the concept of "free will" is referred to three times in a single sentence. Pronouns would alleviate the repetition.

For the second: "Johnny and me went shopping," "There is two cars," "It is to difficult". All of these sentences contain subtle but painful grammar errors.

-Duxwing

 

[EmergingAlbert]

For the second: "Johnny and me went shopping," "There is two cars," "It is to difficult". All of these sentences contain subtle but painful grammar errors.

Ah, yes...those really annoy me too.

I just thought of another one I should add, and I have a feeling that this one might stir up some controversy (although I'd prefer it not to do so) since so many INTP's (especially on this forum) are atheists and agnostics. I'll post it anyway.

"Evangelical" atheists. In other words, the atheists who think they should "spread the news" that there is no God and shove it down the throats of theists (especially Christians) by telling them how stupid and ignorant they are for believing in God. If you don't believe in God, I'm not offended. That's your own business, but please leave me alone and let me peacefully believe what I want to believe.

 

[Solitaire U.]

For the second: "Johnny and me went shopping," "There is two cars," "It is to difficult". All of these sentences contain subtle but painful grammar errors.

-Duxwing

This is fine if you're referring to native speakers, but...

¿Te das cuenta de lo difícil que es conseguir que estos detalles aparentemente simples correcta cuando no eres un hablante nativo? Traductor Google no puede incluso conseguir este pequeño pasaje sencillo correcta.

As a fairly fluent non-native Spanish speaker, I know there are little errors up there, probably related to the placement of articles and use of prepositions. It's these seemingly small details that are most frustratingly difficult to master.

The thing is, it's easy to read through the minor errors and understand the meaning.

Pet Peeve: Perfectionists, especially the grammatical kind. Communicative ability and perfect grammar are not mutually exclusive.

 

[snafupants]

When somebody basically has an orgasm in their restaurant seat over an ordinary sundae or redundant brownie. Calm down.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

They press their messages button while still on the phone with me, and I hear an eardrum-piercingly loud BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP in my ear.

A little off topic, but I just have to vent. I am figuratively going to KILL the next person who calls me and presses the Messages button on their phone while still on the phone with me! I will metaphorically find their room number, go to their room with my knife after they've gone to sleep, break into their room and stab them. HANG UP YOUR FUCKING PHONE FIRST, YOU FUCKTARD. Since when have people been able to make a call on a phone before hanging up with the previous person (with the exception of conference calls on a cell phone)? I literally (yes, literally) just jumped out of my seat, my headset flew off my head, and I accidentally unplugged the monitor of my computer with my foot. And I almost cursed out loud at the guest.

This one has definitely become the worst pet peeve of all. Getting beeped at by a guest is by far worse than any of the other pet peeves I've listed. I'm probably going to go deaf by next year.

And yes, I did just quote myself. DEAL WITH IT!

 

[EditorOne]

"The pluralization of restaurants' names may be the result of an unconscious desire to associate objects with owners;"


It may also simply be our logic telling us that, conceptually, there is an owner, this is the owner's store or chain, and therefore wishing to make that clear, as it undoubtedly was at some point in the past. "Kroger's store." "Kroger's" tells me it's something Kroger owns and we've done some ellipsis with exactly what that might be. "Kroger" all by itself, might be a person. Why am I going down to a person to shop for groceries?

The usual informal process for names, geographically, is that the apostrophe's get dropped and never returned. "Johnson's Pond" becomes "Johnsons Pond" on the DOT marker and maps, etc.

HOWEVER my pet peeve is people who flaunt their cloying, overwrought emotions and expect me to give a shit, especially when it is ragingly insincere emotion in the first place. My reaction is almost embarrassing: My stomach turns over and a wave of repulsion sweeps over me that I'm sure I find difficult to mask. No one will be surprised to learn I don't get high marks for sensitivity out there in the touchy-feely world of make-me-feel-good emotional slobs enthusiastically embracing victimhood just because someone pointed out a fact they find uncomfortable.

Do you think human resources people would even begin to grasp the concept that we demand to be treated with logic and dispassionate reason rather than smothered with emotional platitudes?

 

[EmergingAlbert]

It may also simply be our logic telling us that, conceptually, there is an owner, this is the owner's store or chain, and therefore wishing to make that clear, as it undoubtedly was at some point in the past.

While this may sometimes be the case (I would assume it is with Kroger, since Kroger does sound like someone's last name), it isn't always. For example, there's an Italian restaurant called Ravello that the same coworker I mentioned in my original post calls "Ravello's." This is not called Ravello because it's owned by someone named Ravello. Ravello is a town in Italy, after which the restaurant was named. It's not "Ravello's restaurant." It's "a restaurant inspired by the cuisine of the Italian city of Ravello." So this argument doesn't always hold up, although it may in some cases.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

A little off topic, but I just have to vent. I am figuratively going to KILL the next person who calls me and presses the Messages button on their phone while still on the phone with me! I will metaphorically find their room number, go to their room with my knife after they've gone to sleep, break into their room and stab them. HANG UP YOUR FUCKING PHONE FIRST, YOU FUCKTARD. Since when have people been able to make a call on a phone before hanging up with the previous person (with the exception of conference calls on a cell phone)? I literally (yes, literally) just jumped out of my seat, my headset flew off my head, and I accidentally unplugged the monitor of my computer with my foot. And I almost cursed out loud at the guest.

I take what I said about "preggo" being the worst pet peeve back. Getting beeped at by a guest is by far worse than the word "preggo." I'm probably going to go deaf by next year.

And yes, I did just quote myself. DEAL WITH IT!

There are directions on a bottle of shampoo telling you how to use shampoo. Perhaps those directions are there for a reason.

Maybe a change of approach is in order. Something along the lines of:

"Well once you hang up after talking to me, you'll need to pick up the phone again, wait for a dial tone and then press the message button. The message button is located...."

 

[EmergingAlbert]

"Well once you hang up after talking to me, you'll need to pick up the phone again, wait for a dial tone and then press the message button. The message button is located...."

I can't tell if you're joking or not, but this actually might not be a half bad idea. I suppose the only thing that's prevented me form doing something like this is that I would feel a bit insulted if someone said that to me. What I actually did last time is said, "Is there anything else I can assist you with?" immediately after informing them about the message button, simply to signify that I am ending the conversation before they get the chance to press the button.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I can't tell if you're joking or not, but this actually might not be a half bad idea. I suppose the only thing that's prevented me form doing something like this is that I would feel a bit insulted if someone said that to me. What I actually did last time is said, "Is there anything else I can assist you with?" immediately after informing them about the message button, simply to signify that I am ending the conversation before they get the chance to press the button.

Despite what my sig says, I'm going to tell you that I was being serious. Yes when you think about it, it does seem a little insulting. If this makes sense, try to say it in a way that makes it sound like you are regurgitating a scripted answer. Guests won't take it as personal if they think it is a oft-repeated answer.

I work a B&B so kinda know understand what you go through. Part of what I do is greet and show around incoming guests. There are certain things I tell them that I repeat each time. It comes out a little rushed and practised. I wish I could describe the subtleties of it but I get nods and a certain look on their faces that I interpret as their understanding that what I'm telling them is part of the routine and they don't convey that they feel condescended to.

 

[Smooch]

I have worked as Tech support for a ticket distributing company. Basically we are the Merchant for Parks like Six Flags, Cedar Fair, etc.

You would not believe how many people own computers that don't know how to use them.

Some of my favorite lines:

"The computer kicked me out"
"The computer made me do it"
"It made me select something else"
"My internet browser? windows I think?"

I kid you not.
How do you use the internet if you don't know what browser you're using?
stop. step away from the computer.

To the OP, you should just say "After you get off the phone with me, press the MESSAGES button." :/

 

[EmergingAlbert]

To the OP, you should just say "After you get off the phone with me, press the MESSAGES button." :/

I actually recently thought of that. That sounds less condescending than what @Inappropriate Behavior said. In fact, I think what I'll say is, "Just hang up and press the 'Messages' button." Or I could just start transferring them directly to the "Guest voice mail" line through my phone.

As extreme as some of your examples are, @Smooch, I still find these instances even more surprising. I mean, if you don't know how to use the Internet, that's at least somewhat understandable since the majority of the population is older than the Internet itself. But very few, if any, people alive today were born before the invention of the telephone. It's really unbelieveable how some people (even fairly young people) are completely incompetent at using a touchtone telephone. Heck, I've even had the instance where I give out a phone number to a guest/customer, and they actually begin dialing the number while I'm giving it to them. SERIOUSLY?!? Next thing I know, I'm going to have to tell people how to eat after making their restaurant reservations. I can see it now:

"Okay, I've got you a reservation at the steakhouse. Now when you get there, you're going to need to check in with the hostess, and she will seat you. Then you'll have to sit down in your seat and wait for your food. Once you get your food, pick up the proper eating utensil, stick it in your food, and stick the food into your mouth. Don't forget to chew up your food before you swallow it! When your plate is clean, wait for the server to deliver your bill to you. This is a piece of paper with the price of your meal on it. Please pay the total amount to the server before you leave the restaurant. Finally, you can leave your table, go back to your guestroom, and enjoy the rest of your stay with us. Have a wonderful night."

 

[Hadoblado]

"Evangelical" atheists. In other words, the atheists who think they should "spread the news" that there is no God and shove it down the throats of theists (especially Christians) by telling them how stupid and ignorant they are for believing in God. If you don't believe in God, I'm not offended. That's your own business, but please leave me alone and let me peacefully believe what I want to believe.

This is a complex situation, there are idiots on both sides. I actually have a peeve for the systematic distortion of thoughts such as false religions (from my perspective that would be all religions). When someone is an active part of their own disorder and the spread thereof, it is easy to understand how an observer might be frustrated by this. I try incredibly hard not to antagonise the religious, but it is immensely difficult as they are both the victim and perpetrator of their 'affliction'.
I understand that I am in the wrong if I bother people with my atheistic rants, and as such I try to reserve them for the fools that try to infringe on my beliefs. I guess what I'm saying is that, your peeve is the expression of a specific peeve, and thus should be somewhat understandable.

 

[Smooch]

@EmergingAlbert

I guess I just get annoyed because it's hard to explain to someone how to use a computer when you're not sitting in front of it, seeing what they're seeing.

haha, what do you do when a person starts dialing another number while on the phone with you? I guess you need to remind them that they have to hang up first?

That's pretty sad/amusing.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

haha, what do you do when a person starts dialing another number while on the phone with you? I guess you need to remind them that they have to hang up first?

Precisely. Followed by hanging up, screaming like a madman about how stupid some people are, and then banging my head repeadedly on my desk.

Okay, maybe the part about the head banging is a bit of an exaggeration...but just a bit.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

To the OP, you should just say "After you get off the phone with me, press the MESSAGES button." :/

This is indeed a better idea. Sure people will hang up and push the message button without picking the phone back up calling you complaining that it isn't working but that would be FUNNY!

You'll have to laugh at them behind their back of course and explain without laughing that they need to pick the phone back up after hanging up with you but you'll save money by not having to buy asprin.

Laughing > headbanging

 

[NoID10ts]

"Evangelical" atheists. In other words, the atheists who think they should "spread the news" that there is no God and shove it down the throats of theists (especially Christians) by telling them how stupid and ignorant they are for believing in God. If you don't believe in God, I'm not offended. That's your own business, but please leave me alone and let me peacefully believe what I want to believe.

I see this complaint a lot and am wondering what constitutes an "Evangelical" atheist verses a regular atheist. Is there an expectation that atheists not speak their mind at all or are there appropriate and inappropriate venues in your opinion? Also, are these atheists that you encounter in real life or on internet forums or is it more like the big name guys like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, etc?

As for pet peeves, I work in IT and the one that makes me the maddest is when someone stands over me watching my every move, saying, "I already did that. I already did that." Invariably, as soon as I fix the problem, they proceed to say, "Well I did that, I don't know why it worked for you and not me." I just want to say, "Go fuck yourself. If you'd done this, you wouldn't have called me here."

I also hate tailgaters, whistlers, and people that stand too close to me in the checkout line at the store.

 

[Da Blob]

There are two types of atheists, one that never shares their atheism, perhaps out of shame and the other type that proclaims the superiority of atheism and all atheists to all spiritual philosophies and the 'mindless' masses that believe in a deity.

If one asks one of the first type of atheist, "Do you believe in God?" He or she will reply "That is none of your business, as your own beliefs are none of mine"
End of conversation!

I find humans in general to be annoying and am peeved at just about all of them, that is why I live as a recluse, traveling into town only once a month to do the necessary shopping...

 

[EmergingAlbert]

I see this complaint a lot and am wondering what constitutes an "Evangelical" atheist verses a regular atheist. Is there an expectation that atheists not speak their mind at all or are there appropriate and inappropriate venues in your opinion? Also, are these atheists that you encounter in real life or on internet forums or is it more like the big name guys like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, etc?

I don't have a problem with anyone speaking their mind, regardless of their religion or lack thereof. What bothers me is how insulting and arrogant they can get. You can say you don't believe in God without telling all theists that they're a bunch of delusional morons.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

There are two types of atheists, one that never shares their atheism, perhaps out of shame and the other type that proclaims the superiority of atheism and all atheists to all spiritual philosophies and the 'mindless' masses that believe in a deity.

What I don't understand is why there can't be any middle ground. With religious people (especially Christians), there are many people in the middle, including myself. If someone asks me about my religious beliefs, I tell them. If people don't ask me, I don't tell them. And if I do tell them, I peacefully explain to them that I'm a Christian and answer any questions they have. I don't say, "I'm a Christian, and you're an ignorant fool because you aren't! You and all other atheists are going to burn in hell!" On the other hand, I don't deny my beliefs and tell them that it's none of their business.

I also find it kind of odd that atheists seem to talk more about religion than religious theists do. If you don't believe in God, why do you talk about God so much? I don't believe in fairies, but I don't feel the need to run around proclaiming my hatred for children who do believe in fairies. If they want to believe in fairies, that's their choice; I really couldn't care less.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

Also, are these atheists that you encounter in real life or on internet forums or is it more like the big name guys like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, etc?

I almost forgot to answer this question. The atheists I'm speaking of are mainly on the Internet; not specifically on forums though. I actually only have one friend in real life who is an atheist. It's hard to find atheists down here in the southern US. She's actually one of the few atheists I know who is very polite and civilized about her beliefs. All the other atheists I know are online. As for Dawkins and Hitchens, as much as I admire their intellect, I do think they're both huge assholes.

 

[NoID10ts]

I don't have a problem with anyone speaking their mind, regardless of their religion or lack thereof. What bothers me is how insulting and arrogant they can get. You can say you don't believe in God without telling all theists that they're a bunch of delusional morons.

I agree, however there are some where that inference probably can't be helped. It goes both ways. I'm an agnostic atheist and I have no trouble admitting that some of the smartest people I know personally are believers. I think they're wrong about a thing or two, but they're very smart. Right-wrong and smart-dumb are separate dichotomies that seem to get muddled in people's minds.

I'm always afraid people think I have an insulting, arrogant tone when it's certainly not intended. I had a counselor tell me that his first impression of me was that I was arrogant, but it didn't take him long to peek beneath the surface and realize what an addled mess of uncertainty I was (my words not his ). I don't know if the mere act of engaging in the discussion is perceived as "evangelical atheism" to some.

 

[NoID10ts]

I also find it kind of odd that atheists seem to talk more about religion than religious theists do. If you don't believe in God, why do you talk about God so much? I don't believe in fairies, but I don't feel the need to run around proclaiming my hatred for children who do believe in fairies. If they want to believe in fairies, that's their choice; I really couldn't care less.

This is a matter of context. I find that the degree to which religion negatively impacts the atheist, is the degree to which they talk about it. An evolutionary biologist like Richard Dawkins for example, is going to be vocal because the more extreme flavors of Christianity and Islam actively try to obstruct his chosen field of study.

On another note, I'm notorious for derailing threads (not on purpose (usually)). I seem to be doing that again, so sorry about that. Surely someone here holds that as a pet peeve.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

Right-wrong and smart-dumb are separate dichotomies that seem to get muddled in people's minds.

I like that. I think I might add that to my list of quotes on Facebook.

I'm always afraid people think I have an insulting, arrogant tone when it's certainly not intended.

From the little I know of you so far, you don't seem arrogant or insulting at all. However, if your counselor said it has to do with your tone, maybe that's why you seem that way. The words you choose are not arrogant at all, but the way you carry yourself and/or your tone of voice may convey arrogance. I do greatly respect the ability to respectfully disagree with someone without any immature name-calling, and honestly, those who don't have that ability and/or choose not to use it actually come off as less intelligent. You definitely seem to have that ability though.

 

[spinner]

Neon signs that lie.

FREE WI FI!!!!

Bull shit.

Its not free, you pay for it when you rent a room.

Dont fucking lie to me, asshat shit bird

 

[snafupants]

The name Spinner.

 

[Synthetix]

When hecklers and smartasses loudly proclaim that they know how your trick works before you finish it, or when they demand that you do an extra shuffle or cut here or there, butting into the routine and ruining it for the people politely watching.

 

[EmergingAlbert]

The name Spinner.

I can't say I've ever heard that name before. Is it male or female?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[AzuriteCat]

Judgmental people who are sadly biased and doesn't give a crap about finding evidences/proofs before handing someone a verdict.

I can probably rant all day about my other pet peeves.

 

[Perfectly Normal Beast]

People who insist on lying without first acquiring the skills necessary to mask falsehood as truth, necessitating perfection of deceit in those being lied to in order that they can avoid awkwardness which would otherwise be caused by their 'that seems plausible' face/response.

 

[Pinion]

When somebody basically has an orgasm in their restaurant seat over an ordinary sundae or redundant brownie. Calm down.

I'll calm down when it's time for pillow talk with the dessert, thank you very much.