What drives you CRAZY?!!

Pet Peeves. Everyone has them. The minor irritations that occur in daily life which, when compounded with some of the larger irritations in life, drive you crazy. They can put you in a bad mood, make you crabby and on occassion, be a catalyst for road rage, assault, and an overall desire to step on someone's neck. 

Just the other day I was heading home from Walnut Creek on the 680, driving behind a Honda with it's turn signal on for about 6 miles. Harmful? Of course not.  Irritating? Absolutely. When the cashier opens a new lane and the person behind me guns it over there when I was clearly next in line. Catastrophic? I think not.  Maddening? You betcha. But why? What do these insignificant nuisances do to cause our blood to boil? 

Generally, we seem to be frustrated most by things we percieve to be rude. Talking on the cell phone while conducting a transaction, swiping a parking spot, or invading our personal space are among the top contenders for what bugs us. Even the coolest of characters get a little steamed about something. 

Whether it's in your house, at your kids' school, at the gas station, market, or theater, if you are like millions of other Americans, you get ticked off several times a day over annoying minutiae.

A recent conversation with a friend resulted in our conclusion that we tend to feel better about these irritations when we get them off our chests. So today's blog is dedicated to the junk that drives you absolutely batty. Here's your chance to shout to the world and tell us your pet peeve. Unload the burden! Misery loves company, right? Spill it! We're looking for the dirt here...the nitty gritty about what is really getting under your skin- around town or anywhere! (Let's be civil now...no names, please!)

I'll get the party started. I fricken' HATE it when I walk into a business or an office and the receptionist refuses to acknowledge me. What's UP with that? Isn't the word 'reception' right in the job description? Smile! Look up! Something! Your intentional ignoring of your customers makes us want to throw a rock at your head just to see if you're conscious. There. I've said it. Will it change anything? Perhaps not. But I guess I do feel a little better. Give it a try.