Pet Peeves - Isabella Sportelli

 

After a year of quarantining, I’ve spent more time with my family than I have in a while and it’s safe to say I picked up a few new pet peeves along the way. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to spend time with your family, but I can’t help but get annoyed at the little things after a certain point. We all have pet peeves, it makes us human. So here’s a list of some of the worst ones. 

1. People who take the last of something and put the empty box back in the cabinet. 

There’s nothing worse than going to grab a snack only to realize the box is empty. Nothing. Just take the courtesy to throw the box out, thank you. Or when someone will eat something and leave one singular piece of it in the container so they don't have to clean it. Then you go to eat some of the leftovers and there's just a mere crumb.

2. Asking questions during a movie

Okay I’ll admit it I’m guilty of this sometimes too and my family certainly gets mad at me for it. But the best way to figure out what’s going on in a movie is to watch it, not pester the person next to you with never-ending questions. 

3. Loud chewing

Some people eat like they’ve been starved for their entire lives. Please close your mouth and slow down, the food isn't going anywhere. Chewing is not something that needs to be shared with an audience. I shouldn’t need earplugs to tolerate eating with you.

4. Slow walkers and/or drivers

We all know that feeling when you’re stuck walking behind someone who’s in their own little world and there’s no way to get around them. I’m someone who likes to get in and out of places as fast as humanly possible, yet there’s always someone who gets in the way. 

5.  People who have stickers on the back of their car

I never understood the whole preachy bumper stickers thing, but it's especially the political ones that irk me. “Love not hate” or “Coexist” meanwhile they’re usually the most hateful people around. Please keep your opinions to yourself, I didn’t ask for them. 

6.  People who play the victim card

Have tough skin, don’t get easily offended, and stop being so sensitive. You can’t be a victim for the rest of your life. You’re not at the mercy of everyone around you and we should really stop acting like it. 

7. The word “literally”

People will use the word “literally” when it’s literally not even being used correctly. “There were literally a million people in ShopRite this morning.” No, in fact, there were not a million people in ShopRite this morning. Literally please stop using this word. 

8. Single Socks

Seriously, where did that other sock go? I still have yet to find any of them. I swear they just disappear into thin air and now I’m left to rock the mismatched sock look. 

9.  When you lose something and someone asks “Where’s the last place you had it?”

If I knew the answer to that question it wouldn’t be lost, now would it? This might be the least helpful comment of all time. 

10. When plans that you didn’t really want to go to get canceled after you’ve already mentally prepared and gotten ready for them. 

If they were to get canceled before I had gotten ready, this would be a different story. I’d probably roll back over and take a nap. But plans getting canceled last minute is the worst and I’m sure many can agree. 

11. People who don’t do any work in a group project

Whenever there’s a group project, it’s inevitable that someone will end up doing all the work and that person is usually me. And then they’ll wait until the very last minute to try to contribute and have the audacity to get mad when it’s already done. I don’t mind doing all the work because I know I’ll take the time to do it right, but please say thank you when it’s done. 

12.  When people assume things about me

I work as a Physical Therapist Tech and I’m involved in direct patient care, but it’s the worst when patients assume I can’t do something because I’m only a high school student. I promise I’m very capable and much smarter than I look. 

13. The word “moist”

Don’t ask me why, it just makes me cringe. People who use this word in normal conversation deserve to be shunned. 

14. When people say they don’t want anything and then proceed to eat your food. 

My Mom and I do this almost every time we go out to eat. At this point, my Dad and brother should just expect it. 

15. When someone squeezes out too much toothpaste and makes a mess of the toothpaste tube. 

For some reason, we can never get through a tube of toothpaste without it getting all over the sink at least once. 

16. People who eat all the good raspberries and then put the bad ones back in the fridge

I do this all the time and every time my Dad gets mad at me. Sorry, Dad :)

17. People who keep telling you you have to watch their favorite show

No, I don’t want to watch 17 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy that is more about unrealistic and repetitive drama than the actual medical aspect.  

18. People who think Olive Garden is authentic Italian food.

You’re an insult to all Italians. That’s all. 

19. My last name

Because my last name starts with “S” I’m always stuck sitting at the back of the class or have to wait for ages before my name is called. I can’t even imagine how someone with a last name that starts with Z must feel. 

20. And lastly, people who get up to the register and don’t know what to order after standing in line for food.

            Gee, you didn’t think to consider this while standing in line for ten minutes? The menu is right there. 

We all have pet peeves and I’m certainly guilty of some of the ones listed. It’s a part of life and being on this planet. (Hey, people can be annoying sometimes, it’s okay!) My family definitely gets on each others’ nerves sometimes but we always laugh it off at the end of the day. Just because you have some less than tolerant opinions about some of these things doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you human. :)