Category: Pet peeves

Pet Peeve

On By scottpetersenIn Pet peevesLeave a comment

By my count, I have 11,492 pet peeves. Make that 11,493. No – make that. . . .

Pet peeves are specific irritating behaviors of others which get under our skin and annoy. . . .  The term “peevish” is derived from the Middle English term “pevish” (can be “peevish”) which means “spiteful,” “ornery” or “ill-tempered.”   Use of the noun “peeve” is of fairly recent origin — dating to about 1908.  The term “pet peeve” was first used in print in 1916.   It was popularized by Frank King’s cartoon strip “The Little Pet Peeve” that ran in the Chicago Tribune (1916-1920). Use of “pet” simply refers to “favorite.”  

I have a few pet peeves. What are yours? One that I’ve become aware of lately is the people who go to the food store – roll their shopping cart out to the car – and then leave the cart sitting in the parking lot. Some people park so far away that the cart is practically in another time zone. Why don’t these people – if they don’t bring it back in the store – usher the cart back to the outdoor collection point. Working on 10,000 steps? Get fifty walking your cart back.

When I was young(er), EVERYONE brought their cart back to the store. It was expected. Are we now so entitled that we can’t do that?

Today when I go to the local food store, I often park by an abandoned cart and just walk it in. And use it. Or I’ll just grab one from the outdoor inventory and take it in. I mean why not?

Bicycles on Streets

On By scottpetersenIn Ban bicycles from roads, Pet peevesLeave a comment

I don’t mind occasional bicycles on streets. Riding single file. Obeying traffic laws. Staying out of the way.  Bicycle lanes are fine and seem to work.  But the groups of bicyclists who take up whole lanes of traffic (riding 2 and 3 abreast), ignoring traffic signals, scaring pedestrians and essentially creating havoc with the 4 wheel and 2 legged traffic?  They are a problem.   The pelotons. . . .

Violate traffic laws in my car?  I’m toast.   As a pedestrian – I can be ticketed for jaywalking, for crossing against a red light or for going around a railroad crossing gate.  Yet bicycle riders thumb their noses at red lights, stop signs and other traffic signals.   Pedestrians wait for them.   They often arrogantly deprive others of the courtesies they expect.  I have to say that this is one of my pet peeves and a pet peeve of a growing number of others. 

Bicycle bans are becoming more popular — and I’m hoping that they become even more popular. . . .      

Pet Peeves

On By scottpetersenIn Pet peevesLeave a comment

We all have them.  Pet peeves. 

Pet peeves are specific irritating behaviors of others which get under our skin and annoy. . . .  The term “peevish” is derived from the Middle English term “pevish” (can be “peevish”) which means “spiteful,” “ornery” or “ill-tempered.”   Use of the noun “peeve” is of fairly recent origin — dating to about 1908.  The term “pet peeve” was first used in print in 1919.   Use of “pet” simply refers to “favorite.”  

I don’t have many pet peeves (what are yours??) but those I have make me X%#!@* ornery and peevish:

1.  Bicycle riders who think they own the road.  GET OVER AND RIDE SINGLE FILE OR RIDE A STATIONARY BIKE!  

2.  People who drive slowly in the passing land.  GET OVER IN THE RIGHT LANE!

3.  People who talk loudly on cell phones on the train (“And how is my little dumpling today?  Woogy woogy sweetums!   Let me tell you about my day. . . blah blah“).  HANG UP, TALK SOFTLY OR GO IN THE VESTIBULE! 

4.  People who are late (see post of October 2).  SHOW UP ON TIME!

5.  Anyone who disagrees with my supreme – and inimitable – and usually flawless – logic and wisdom.