Annoyances
I have always enjoyed a sincere list of gripes.
I found such a group of petty irritations in an article in the Jewish Week, Jan. 15, 2010 edition. It was written by Mark Pearlman of Jinsider.com. Here is the list with a bit of “Over 60” commentary:
1. Hidden fees – When a businessman quotes a fee, it should be cast in stone. Inserting other expenses after the deal has been agreed to is definitely a “no, no.” It undermines the buyer’s confidence.
2. Not getting a human on the phone – Being shuttled back and forth by electronic voices is not only unsatisfying but it is rude. The caller feels helpless and tortured by technology. Usually I scream, “Agent, Agent” at these voices until I am connected to a human.
3. Tailgating – Driving too close to the car in front of you is dangerous to both drivers. The “four second rule” should be obeyed. When the car in front passes a spot, count four seconds before you pass that spot. Safety first.
4. Cell phone use by drivers – “I admit it, your honor, I have been guilty of this offense.” Somehow I can’t resist a ringing telephone. I am powerless, even though the call is usually unimportant and has no significance for me. I have to be deprogrammed.
5. Incomprehensible bills – A bill for services should be clear and explicit. No hidden surprises or adding items that have no relevance to the offered services.
6. Dog poop – This is rather self-explanatory. The dog owner is bound by sanitation and the law to remove dog feces from the sidewalks where people walk.
7. Unreliable Internet service – Calling India or the Philippines is not fun every time there is a glitch in service. The people are courteous but there is a language problem.
8. Discourteous cell phone use – Someone screaming into their cell phone in a crowded room or a Long Island Rail Road car is boorish. It disturbs everyone else’s inner thoughts and you enter unwillingly into the caller’s private world.
9. Waiting for repair people – Telling the homeowner that the repairman will come between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. is not sufficient. That is an eight-hour time slot. The homeowner has “a life” also and should be considered.
10. Spam – Excess “spam” bothers me a little, but since I am retired I get a kick out of deleting the 40 or 50 irrelevant messages on my machine. It keeps me in touch with the world to see what people are trying to sell.
These are 10 gripes from Mark Pearlman.
I agree and I have added my “two cents.”
