What are some of your social pet peeves? - Page 3 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bob Biter · 09-21-2005, 07:58 AM

Gilda, some stores work on commissions or quotas, so employees have to sell X amount of stuff (or a combination of things worth X amount of money) to get a bonus or free back scratcher or something. I know it's annoying anyway, but I just thought I'd give ya a reason why the guy was so pissed off.

I bet his back was itching like hell.

KellyC · 09-21-2005, 08:47 PM

It'd probably take me the whole day/night to list all the shit that piss me off and I'm a bit lazy so I'll just sum it up with "inconsiderate/disrepectful people," about everything. This should save me about a page, page and a half of typing. Although, I admit I'm guilty this sometime, but most of the time, I try.

Overly sensitive people. It's a joke, lighten up.

People who say stupid things or ask stupid questions. Yes, there IS such a thing as a stupid question. Same goes for redundancy.

People who are TOO nice and/or friendly. I dunno why this one bugs me, it just does. And I get suspicious of them....

People who think there is something wrong with me when I say I don't need to drink, smoke MJ or gamble to have a fucking good time!!!!!!

Oh, and people who are fake. I just wanna grab them by the throat and slap them across the face a couple dozen times saying, "You don't have to act like that to get people to like you, just be your fucking self! If anything, you're more likely to make them hate you than like you."

Grasshopper Green · 09-22-2005, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Biter

Gilda, some stores work on commissions or quotas, so employees have to sell X amount of stuff (or a combination of things worth X amount of money) to get a bonus or free back scratcher or something. I know it's annoying anyway, but I just thought I'd give ya a reason why the guy was so pissed off.

I bet his back was itching like hell.

Exactly. I used to work retail and I had a specific amount I was supposed to sell each day. This doesn't condone the annoying salesman's behavior though, and I probably would have done the same thing Gilda did. There is no need to be pushy and overbearing like that, and can obviously backfire

Gilda · 09-22-2005, 11:28 PM

Bob, Medusa:

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't know that people in department stores got commissions. I guess I figured they'd be your basic minimum wage slaves.

I wasn't trying to piss off SalesBob Pushypants, I just wanted to be left alone to do my shopping, then when I was done get my purchase rung up. I was amazed that he actually came over and tried to take over, but it makes a kind of sense if there was a commision involved. I wonder if their supervisor found out that he tried to poach her sale? In any case, this makes me glad he wasn't the closest salesperson around when I was ready to go.

Gilda

smackson · 09-22-2005, 11:41 PM

It really annoys me when people criticize my social life. I am a 25 year old person who is happy to be at home with my family, but other people(mostly at work) say aren't you always bored at home, we gotta take you out. Now there is nothing wrong with that, but I just really enjoy finding things to do around the house and with the people who I really want to spend time with not my co-workers.

soma · 09-23-2005, 07:21 AM

When people use fancy language to sound smart, it always sounds stupid.

Necessarily - Not necessarily, don't necessarily, [whatever] necessarily.
Fancy words - Absurd, enigmatic, eclectic, etc.
In a sense - "In a sense" is annoying on its own, but when it is used with fancy words, it's super annoying (example: in an ontological sense).
Relatively - Just say very
Ironic - When used incorrectly, this just bugs me.

florida0214 · 09-23-2005, 10:41 AM

There are many things wrong with society (in my opinion) that I simply dont think i woudl have time to put all of them down.
First I think everybodyneeds a little background on me. I live in south Florida or Northern Cuba depending on your point of view and nationality. Society down here is most unlike any other place in the USA (never been to canada but would be its differant from there too) There are more non-american here than actual americans. Most people are first generation immigrants or second generation and now citizens. English is normally not spoken As matter of fact you can along a lot better if you only speak Spanish than if you only speak english which I am learning But know that you know i will giv you THE LIST! Most of these stem from driving which is where i spend most of teh work-day.

1. I hate it when people cut you off than wave at you as if to say "thank you for letting me cut off and almost rear-end me."
2. I hate it when there is an accident in the median and everybody has to stop and see causing a 3 hour traffic jam just to watch some guy rub his neck while on the phone with his lawyer.
3. I hate being interrupted. if i am trying to tell you something wait till I finish. I talk, you listen: you talk I listen. This is called a conversation. Common courtesy is gone from the world.
4. i hate it when people miss appointments and do not have the common courtesy to call and explain why or at least tell you they cannot make it. There are instances where this i not possible and those i understand but they are exceptions not the rules. If you say you are going to be somewhere be there and be there on time. thats number 5.
5. Be on Time; actually be early. operate on lombardi time 15 Minutes early or your late. at least call when you will be late.
6. I hate it when fat people super size their meals at BK or McDonalds, then ask for a Diet Coke. Wat message are they trying to convey with that one.
7. I hate it when you put on your turn signal and the person beside you speeds up than matches your speed so you can't move over.
8. I hate stupid questions. Especially when people can answer their own questions.
9. I hate stupid people. common sense is not that common.
10. I hate that people expect me to know spanish but it is discrimination if I expect them to learn english. Again this is America i think. they speak english in Canada why cant we speak it in america.
Anyway that is enough for now. I hope I didn't offend anybody.

Poppinjay · 09-23-2005, 11:05 AM

It's kind of funny about the pushy salespeople... My experience shopping is very different. There's a department store, usually in malls, but a little more upscale than Sear's or JC Penny. I loved their store brand underwear. That was the only reason I ever shopped there. The whole rigmarole at this store is that you do not take merchandise up, they ask if they can assist you, you tell them what you want, and then they escort you to the register and ring you up.

The men's dept. was almost always empty, no high dollar suit buyers for them to concentrate on. And every time, I had to take my purchase up. These were not cheap fruit of the loom briefs, so there would be some commission. The last time I purchased them there, the young kid, in his suit behind the counter said, "I guess I can ring these up."

Grrrrrr......

maleficent · 09-23-2005, 11:32 AM

Gum Chewing... I don't care if you are a supermodel, when gum is chewed you look like a cow chewing it's cud, it's not attractive, and it's not quiet. Eating is a quiet activity, i don't need to hear you popping your gum like a 2 bit hooker, or hear you smacking your gum... Show a little couth... if your breath is that bad, pop a mint. Gum cracking will just set me over the edge.

Why are you talking to me? I sit down in my seat on a plane, with my IPod headphones on, and it never fails, the person siting next to me starts up a conversation with me. I am not a social person. Why are you talking to me, I have on head phones, why would you think i could hear you? Just because i'm stuck sitting next yo you (or rather you have the misfortune of sitting next to me for the next few hours) doesn't mean I want to know your life story or that I care about having a conversation with you.

Ustwo · 09-23-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soma

When people use fancy language to sound smart, it always sounds stupid.

Necessarily - Not necessarily, don't necessarily, [whatever] necessarily.
Fancy words - Absurd, enigmatic, eclectic, etc.
In a sense - "In a sense" is annoying on its own, but when it is used with fancy words, it's super annoying (example: in an ontological sense).
Relatively - Just say very
Ironic - When used incorrectly, this just bugs me.

I have rather eclectic tastes in my endeavors in life, and the subtle nuances of the subject material requires me to use many multisyllabic words in order to get the true nature of my thought across. The above post, while not necessarily flawed, is, in a sense, relatively wrong compared to reality. Some may find my choice of words in this post ironic, but I found them to be fundamentally necessary to convey my cogitation.

Grasshopper Green · 09-23-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilda

Bob, Medusa:

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't know that people in department stores got commissions. I guess I figured they'd be your basic minimum wage slaves.

I wasn't trying to piss off SalesBob Pushypants, I just wanted to be left alone to do my shopping, then when I was done get my purchase rung up. I was amazed that he actually came over and tried to take over, but it makes a kind of sense if there was a commision involved. I wonder if their supervisor found out that he tried to poach her sale? In any case, this makes me glad he wasn't the closest salesperson around when I was ready to go.

Gilda

I was a minimum wage slave. However, I could have lost my valuable job if I didn't sell the required amount. I'm sure if commissions were involved, the already catty and competitive atmosphere at the place I worked would have been off the charts. There is nothing wrong with being left alone while shopping; I detest pushy sales people and tried to be un-pushy when I worked there. In situations like yours, where no one really "helped" the customer, it was just the luck of the draw who happened to be at the register and got that sale.

Rlyss · 09-26-2005, 02:42 AM

I thought of another one after hearing a live version of one of my favorite piano songs.

People who clap in time with music at concerts when it's just <i>not</i> a clapping song. I've got a really beautiful live version of a piano song by Nick Cave on my MP3 player that I've never heard before. It starts out beautifully and at the chorus some idiot in the crowd starts them all clapping. It goes on for about 30 seconds before people must realize it's not appropriate for such a beautiful, sad song. But one person keeps going for another two minutes or so. I think he/she has realized they're the only one clapping and thinks 'Do I stop and feel like an idiot or do I keep going and pretend I'm having a great time?'

Bill O'Rights · 09-26-2005, 05:57 AM

My all time biggest pet peeve, are those individuals that insist upon driving in a lane, that has clearly been marked, for miles and miles, that it's closed ahead. These are the people that try to scream ahead to the "front of the line", put thier blinker on at the last possible moment, and force thier way into traffic just at the point thier lane finally ceases to exist. Y'know what Chucky? I drive this same stretch of road every day. That lane's been closed for the better part of a week. I knew it, and so did 99% of everyone else on this road. And since I recognize your car from yesterday, and the day before...so did you.

FoolThemAll · 09-26-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilda

Some of us are just too shy to talk much when we're not around people we know well. We're not trying to be rude, we're afraid of saying something stupid or offensive. Most of the time, it's just safer not to say anything.

Yep, that tends to be the case for me. Plus, it can also go hand-in-hand with that 'small talk' pet peeve: I don't really care to talk sometimes when I have nothing interesting/funny/intelligent to say. Which does happen, believe it or not. ;-)

I've been overcoming that second self-imposed constraint lately, but I'm not always sure that overcoming it is a good thing.

My pet peeve:
People who tell me to 'loosen up'. That's not always the problem, guys. Sometimes, there is no problem except for your inability to accept that I don't enjoy a given setting/activity in the way that you do. Sometimes, the problem is that I simply don't like the setting/activity, yes I've tried it, and no, 'loosening up' isn't going to change that anymore than it'd change my dislike for peanut butter.

If I can live with that, so can you.

Nimetic · 09-26-2005, 07:24 PM

Mine is the phrase "Oh my god".

Sadly - the young women here seem to have picked this up from American sitcoms (some of which are very good actually). Sitting in a cafe in wealthyish area during uni/school holidays here is absolute torture. Coffee hits those kids pretty hard and makes them as noisy as hell.

"I'm sooo excited".
"Oh my god".
"I'm sooo excited".
"Ohhh my god thats wonderful".
"My too".
"Oh my god"
"I'm so excited"

It almost looks the dialogue for a sex scene when you write it down. Anyways, I console myself by thinking that the smarter kids must hang out somewhere else. I prefer the McDonalds crowd actually... and often I'll end up taking my book there instead.

Nimetic · 09-26-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

I can't stand it when I'm walking on the sidewalk, and someone is walking towards me (in a group or alone), and they are completely unaware of their surroundings. Usually they are wearing headphones and oblivious of the world around them, and I end up having to move around them to avoid a collision (I end up on the grass for a few steps around them). I've tried being the one who doesn't move, and I end up running into these people because they aren't looking ahead of them to see if they are in someone's way. This PISSES ME OFF, because it's very inconsiderate.

I second that. But f##k them I say. If I've moved 75% out of the way then I've done my bit. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a bump. Especially if it's a bunch of young brats walking along deliberately like they own the footpath.

Also - some people will just walk around the corner, on the opposite on the RHS (we drive on LHS) and expect me to jump out of the way for them. Why?

Gilda · 09-26-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimetic

I second that. But f##k them I say. If I've moved 75% out of the way then I've done my bit. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a bump. Especially if it's a bunch of young brats walking along deliberately like they own the footpath.

Also - some people will just walk around the corner, on the opposite on the RHS (we drive on LHS) and expect me to jump out of the way for them. Why?

It's a form of passive aggression, exerting power over someone by not doing something, in this case, not moving to accomodate others on the sidewalk. The problem is how to deal with it. I'd much rather walk around or get out of the way than be bumped. It sucks, but there isn't much to be done about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moi

Jay walkers. Yes, I realize the bus stop is a hundred feet or so from the intersection. Would it kill you to walk the extra hundred feet there, cross at the light in the crosswalk, then walk to the bus stop? Cuz it might if you don't.

So I'm driving to the grocery store Sunday and I see a man and a little girl of about four jay walking just behind the traffic at the intersection. They're standing on the raised median, traffic passing behind them and in front of them waiting for traffic to clear so they can finish their walk. I see this quite frequently at this very stop. There's a family medical clinic on one side of street, a four lane divided main thoroughfare, and a bus stop on the other. But it's maybe 100 feet from the intersection, where they'd have a crossing protected by the traffic lights. I wanted to scream at this toesucker putting his little girl's life in danger because he didn't want to walk an extra 200 feet.

Gilda

Suave · 09-26-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soma

When people use fancy language to sound smart, it always sounds stupid.

Necessarily - Not necessarily, don't necessarily, [whatever] necessarily.
Fancy words - Absurd, enigmatic, eclectic, etc.
In a sense - "In a sense" is annoying on its own, but when it is used with fancy words, it's super annoying (example: in an ontological sense).
Relatively - Just say very
Ironic - When used incorrectly, this just bugs me.

I use "necessarily" because it's a part of my vernacular (fancy word alert:P ). It's not "to sound smart"; some people actually attempt to use the English language to its fullest potential. Now if you're talking about people who just throw around large or exotic words when they don't know the meaning, that's different.

Relatively also is not synonymous with "very". I'll agree on your last one though.

World's King: In addition to what Gilda said, sometimes people have nothing to say in that situation. If I'm in a situation where I'm around some people who are talking about shit that I find completely stupid/uninteresting/immature or that I'm ignorant about, I'm not going to run in and start talking for the sake of it. There's actually a quote in my sig that corresponds quite nicely to this.

analog · 09-26-2005, 11:59 PM

People who impose time constraints on others because of their own stupidity.

Example: Women who come in THE NIGHT their birth control runs out to get the next month's set. Then, when there's an issue and it's not immediately able to be refilled, all of a sudden it's our fault because she came in at the last possible minute for something she KNEW she'd run out of, and exactly when she'd run out of it. Or worse- people with an actual medical need, like diabetics. They come in THE DAY they run out of insulin (which they HAVE to have or they, you know, DIE) and then whine and bitch because it's going to take a few days to straighten out their new insurance coverage on their testing supplies. If they came in BEFORE it was a dire emergency, we'd have time to get in contact with the right people so they can fix it and let us sell it to you at the insurance price, not the cash price.

Example2: "Well I have groceries in the car" or "Well I have children waiting in the car" Well good for fucking you, go get rid of them and come back. I'm not skipping your prescription ahead of a dozen or more other people's because you're a clueless, poor-time-management-having insensitive fucktard. Don't use your kids like that, it's shameful.

(Quick note that i now work in a pharmacy, hence all these are pharmacy-related gripes about customers)

One more thing- unless based on actual medical urgency, no prescription is more important to fill faster than anyone else's. If i've got two prescriptions in my hand, one's for a kid, and the other an adult, i'm doing them in whatever order i got them in. When I tell people a wait time, you wouldn't believe the frequency i get the frustrated comment, "this is for a child!". I don't give a flying fuck, your child isn't more important than an adult.

A customer and I:

Me: It will be about an hour right now.
Her: (pissed) This medicine is for a child!
Me: (looking at the prescription, being smiley and polite) Yes, I see that. Thank you.
Her: An hour is the best you can do?
Me: It's an hour for everyone, ma'am.
Her: (I kid you not, yelling at me...) THIS IS FOR A CHILD!
Me: I understand ma'am, but not all sick people are children. We help sick adults, too.

So she asks for the pharmacy manager, who has been listening and quietly laughing the whole time from only a few feet away (she can't see him from where she was). She then talked to him for a minute, called me a twerp (yeah, a twerp). My fave line of his was his closing with her...

Her: He is sick, he has an infection, you're telling me it's not an emergency??
Pharmacy manager: I'm sure your doctor explained this, but antibiotics like the one your son has been prescribed take 2 -3 days before they start really working noticeably. So if i skip you ahead, and you don't have to wait the hour, he'll feel better in roughly 2 days and 23 hours instead of 3 days. If you would like to take a seat, i'll call you the moment i've gotten it ready for you.

The comment about the 2 days and 23 hours was priceless. We laughed for the longest time after that. I love my new coworkers. All the staff pharmacists are very cool, joke around a lot and stuff. Sorry for the length of this, but it's a good story (I think

).

neveroddoreven · 09-27-2005, 04:16 AM

My number one social pet peeve is receiving unsolicited parenting advice from strangers.

I get very hostile when this happens.

Bill O'Rights · 09-27-2005, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog

(Quick note that i now work in a pharmacy, hence all these are pharmacy-related gripes about customers)

Ohhh...that explains it. I was kind of wondering why people were coming to you, to get thier birth control, in the cell phone store. I just figured...Florida.

lurkette · 09-27-2005, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog

Women who come in THE NIGHT their birth control runs out to get the next month's set.

I'm guilty of that one, but it's because my POS insurance company won't let me refill the prescription even a day early. Even if I have to go out of town on the day I know I'll run out and need to pick up the next pack now so I can take it with me. Bastards.

Poppinjay · 09-27-2005, 10:15 AM

Two words: Seacrest OUT.

SirLance · 09-27-2005, 11:14 AM

Wanna piss me off?

1. Leave your cellphone on in the theatre so you can text message all your pals.

2. Talk during the movie. Yeah, I dropped 8.50 to hear YOU.

3. Tailgate me, or cut me off in traffic. Are you that much more important than everyone else?

4. Ask me a question, then interrupt me while I answer you.

5. Don't say please, thank you, I'm sorry, or excuse me when you do something these simple phrases should accompany.

6. Push me while in line. Yeah, that's smart. Then look at me like I'm an idiot. Yeah, that's real smart. I was standing still, you were moving. Watch where you're going, dipshit. You bumped into me. Oh, by the way, I'm an ex-green beret and I can kill you with my thumbs, but you don't know that because I look just like everyone else in the supermarket. (Someone did this twice and the second time I pushed their cart back into them and told them if they pushed me again, I'd feed it to 'em.)

7. Make your car radio so loud that everyone around you has to put up with the THUMP THUMP THUMP of your damn subwoofer. See remarks under 6. I'm a crack shot, too, and I have silenced weapons, not that anyone would hear it over your fucking radio...

That's all for now, but I might think of more...

ElvenDestiny · 09-27-2005, 11:49 AM

I have several and will list them if you really care that much lol

1) The general way we use language, people speak as if uneducated, I know my spelling and grammar sucks when im writing/typing but its a lot different if you actually talk to me. I love the old English / medieval way of speaking, and the way the French speak. Talk about gentle to the ears. Now a day’s people just have no respect for words.

2) Falseness, no one in their right mind randomly in public cares two shakes of a rats ass about you and its quiet annoying when people pretend to.

3) Public display of religion, if anything that annoys me more than everything.

4) People on the bus, their quiet, its almost like their too self centered to have a conversation, no one greets anyone anymore.

And there are many more I have to ponder over for a bit.

In edition numbers 1-7 on Sir Lance's post. ((minus that part about guns, im against guns))

Sage not to shoot one of your things down, and not that I totaly dissagree, but looking at it world wide, (*as i am not a smoker*).. Smokers have as much right to walk around smoking, as you do to not have to inhale their smoke.. so whose right?

KellyC · 09-27-2005, 01:36 PM

-People who nag too much, like my sister. I'm not fucking perfect and neither are you, so shut up about it!!

I so agree with the public display of religion. Just last Friday there were two ladies in my class who prayed and use Holy Water on themselves for good luck. One of them asked if I wanted some, to which I politely declined, "No, thank you." Yet, she still insist on smearing some of that shit on my desk!! God dammit! I was going to put my paper on that spot and now I have to wait for that shit to dry so I can put it there. I can't very well just take something and wipe it off lest I come off as an asshole, but shit, NO means FUCKING NO!!!

Seems like they didn't pray hard enough or something 'cause they both have lower score than me. hahaa!

Gilda · 09-27-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElvenDestiny

2) Falseness, no one in their right mind randomly in public cares two shakes of a rats ass about you and its quiet annoying when people pretend to.

4) People on the bus, their quiet, its almost like their too self centered to have a conversation, no one greets anyone anymore.

Is it just me, or do these two not quite match up with each other? I'm not criticizing, mind you, just wondering how someone on a bus could greet you politely on the bus without being false.

I, for one, don't engage people when on public transportation not because I'm self-centered, but because I'm an introvert.

Gilda

SirLance · 09-27-2005, 04:18 PM

Oh, yeah....

Parents who allow their children to disrupt the entire fucking universe because they don't know how to apply discipline. My kids were taught from a very early age what proper behaviour is and that it was expected of them. Don't tell me "He's only three", because when my kids were three, they didn't run through the store screaming like fucking banshees, they walked along and participated in the "Shopping Experience."

They were encouraged to behave and punished when they didn't, and your child can behave too. You just have to have the self discipline to correct them. It takes effort, and they are worth the effort.

The real issue is parents who are not willing to give anything up, especially their precious time, for their kids. Well, you had 'em, so suck it up and be a damn father (or mother), jerk.

SirLance · 09-27-2005, 04:45 PM

Oh, and one more thing...

This afternoon I went to the bank. I had to get a certified check for the movers.

So, being a rational, aware human being, I stopped at the little table to fill out my withdrawl slip. While I'm filling out my withdrawl slip, some dumbass on a cell phone gets in line.

He talks on his stupid cell phone while he's in the line. The whole time. Ten minutes or so. I know the results of his prostate exam. I don't care. Nobody cares.

He gets to the head of the line. He's so busy talking about his prostate he doesn't notice that a teller window has opened up. I tap him on the shoulder and point to the open window. He gives me a dirty look. I tell him to hang up and do his business.

He goes to the teller window still talking on his cellphone and says "Hang on a second." He asks the teller for a deposit slip. The 17 people in line behind me let out disgusted sighs. He proceeds to stand at the teller window and fill out his slip. He trys to fill out his slip while talking on his phone. He can't, fucks up and asks for another slip.

I decided that I have had about enough. I walk up to the window and ask him to step aside while he does his paperwork. He tells me that he was "first." I tell him that the rest of us are ready to transact business, and he should have been getting his shit together instead of telling the entire bank about his prostate. I tell him that it's rude to make all these people wait because he didn't have the foresight to have a fucking deposit slip filled out. People behind me start to laugh.

The manager pipes up, "Really, sir, it is inconsiderate of you to not be prepared to do your business when you arrive at the head of the line. Please step aside and let us transact for those who are ready until your paperwork is filled out. We'll take care of you then."

Applause from the line.

I handed the teller my filled out withdrawl slip, she took care of me, and I left. Have no idea if dipshit ever got his prostate working...

KellyC · 09-27-2005, 10:23 PM

SirLance, you rock! Inconsiderate people piss me off to no end.

amire · 09-28-2005, 05:07 AM

Braggarts are without a doubt the most reprehensible social creature anywhere. They are VERY proud of their one ability and will never fail to let their wonderful accomplishmente slip by unnoticed.

Very similar to the braggarts are the know-it-alls. I'm not saying that knowledge and intelligence are unwanted...not at all. In fact, I highly value intelligence. I hate, however, when people think they always know the correct answer and never fail to let me in on the secret.

abaya · 09-28-2005, 05:10 AM

SirLance I agree with you on your last two posts; why do people have children when they can't be bothered to actually spend their own time and energy raising them properly? Dude, even if you didn't plan/want the kid, GROW THE FUCK UP and discipline him or her so that the kid can become a contributing member of society someday instead of a complete asshole/moron. I can't stand those lax parents, esp. in public places... or if one parent is working really hard to take care of the kid, while the other is doing absolutely nothing to support the other, jabbering with friends or ignoring the situation, etc. That pisses me off just about as much as both parents ignoring the kid.

And I think what you said to the dude in the bank was AWESOME. I think that was completely and totally appropriate. I always lack the right words to deliver that kind of message... so I admire your ability to verbally ream someone who deserved it.

guthmund · 09-28-2005, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analog

People who impose time constraints on others because of their own stupidity.

My former class advisor has a plaque on the wall that says, "Piss poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." Every year without fail, when it comes time to start classes, there's always about two dozen kids who can't understand why the more popular classes are closed and demand, beg, cajole, bargain and cry to get him to do something about it.

SirLance · 09-28-2005, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaya

I always lack the right words to deliver that kind of message... so I admire your ability to verbally ream someone who deserved it.

Thanks for the nice compliments all, but the truth of the matter is that I've just reached a point in my life where I am no longer willing to abide rudeness in others, and I am willing to say something to the rude.

There was a guy in church sunday whose three children were acting like hooligans. I'd say these kids were in the 7 to 13 year old range. They were climbing all over the seats, the two boys were pulling the girls hair, etc.

I tapped the father on the shoulder and said "Sir, we are in God's house and we should behave in a reverent manner. People are here to praise and worship God, and your children's behaviour is disruptive. If you can't get them settled down, would you please take them outside?"

He couldn't get 'em outta there fast enough.

Sometimes I wonder if those of us who tolerate the behavior are contrubiting to the problem by NOT saying anything to the rude and inconsiderate. If I hadn't spoken up, those kids would have disrupted mass for everyone around them, probably for the entire service.

Redlemon · 09-28-2005, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilda

Is it just me, or do these two not quite match up with each other? I'm not criticizing, mind you, just wondering how someone on a bus could greet you politely on the bus without being false.

I, for one, don't engage people when on public transportation not because I'm self-centered, but because I'm an introvert.

Gilda

I got halfway through writing the exact same post, but I decided not to post it. I figured that, even if he wasn't being "false", the other people on the bus would assume he was.

Bill O'Rights · 09-28-2005, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyC

Seems like they didn't pray hard enough or something 'cause they both have lower score than me. hahaa!

Or study hard enough.

How does that go...as long as there are math tests, there will always be prayer in the public school?

Nimetic · 09-28-2005, 07:02 PM

What about...

Ascertain (I am attempting to ascertain the location of my golf ball)
Historic versus historical (Why use the long version)
Oriented vs Orientated (Ditto)

Some of these might be more common in commonwealth English... Dunno.

Dungeon_Shade · 09-28-2005, 10:43 PM

I hate it when you are talking to someone, and they spit chew into a can in front of them. It is so damn disgusting, it starts stinking, looks nasty, and it's pointless. I also hate how you will talk to a female, and they will break, mid sentence, to talk to a guy they just saw. I don't know if they do that to play mind games, or what, but it bugs the hell out of me.

jorgelito · 09-29-2005, 06:31 PM

SirLance: Awesome post. My one problem - The reason why I hesitate to speak up in those type of situations is that I am concerned about violent reaction. I live in LA where everyone wants to fight all the time. I am not a former Green Beret so I am somewhat reluctant to do what you do (I wish I could). What if cell-phone-jerk-at-the-bank told me to fuck off? Or pushed me? I'm not a big guy nor do I look intimidating so I guess I am too cowardly to risk violence. sImilar to the guy in church. If he lets his kids behave that way, chances are he's also "thuggish" or a bully.

Still, I applaud what you did, that was awesome. I just wish I could do it too.

SirLance · 09-30-2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

I am not a former Green Beret so I am somewhat reluctant to do what you do (I wish I could).

Most people can't, but there are a lot who can, and those who can, should.

It is never wise to take action you think might create a situation you would be incapable of dealing with. You should speak up if you think it safe, and you don't have to be confrontational about it. I just am, because it's my nature... or nurture...

You might say, "Excuse me sir, I'm late for an appointment. I have my deposit slip filled out. Would you mind if she took care of me while you fill yours out?"

Whereas I said what I said and if he took a swing at me, well, so much the better...

09-21-2005, 07:58 AM	#81 (permalink)
Bob Biter Non-smokers die everyday Location: Montreal	Gilda, some stores work on commissions or quotas, so employees have to sell X amount of stuff (or a combination of things worth X amount of money) to get a bonus or free back scratcher or something. I know it's annoying anyway, but I just thought I'd give ya a reason why the guy was so pissed off. I bet his back was itching like hell. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

09-21-2005, 08:47 PM	#82 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	It'd probably take me the whole day/night to list all the shit that piss me off and I'm a bit lazy so I'll just sum it up with "inconsiderate/disrepectful people," about everything. This should save me about a page, page and a half of typing. Although, I admit I'm guilty this sometime, but most of the time, I try. Overly sensitive people. It's a joke, lighten up. People who say stupid things or ask stupid questions. Yes, there IS such a thing as a stupid question. Same goes for redundancy. People who are TOO nice and/or friendly. I dunno why this one bugs me, it just does. And I get suspicious of them.... People who think there is something wrong with me when I say I don't need to drink, smoke MJ or gamble to have a fucking good time!!!!!! Oh, and people who are fake. I just wanna grab them by the throat and slap them across the face a couple dozen times saying, "You don't have to act like that to get people to like you, just be your fucking self! If anything, you're more likely to make them hate you than like you." __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens. Last edited by KellyC; 09-21-2005 at 09:24 PM..

09-22-2005, 11:28 PM	#84 (permalink)
Gilda 32 flavors and then some Location: Out on a wire.	Bob, Medusa: Thanks for the feedback. I didn't know that people in department stores got commissions. I guess I figured they'd be your basic minimum wage slaves. I wasn't trying to piss off SalesBob Pushypants, I just wanted to be left alone to do my shopping, then when I was done get my purchase rung up. I was amazed that he actually came over and tried to take over, but it makes a kind of sense if there was a commision involved. I wonder if their supervisor found out that he tried to poach her sale? In any case, this makes me glad he wasn't the closest salesperson around when I was ready to go. Gilda __________________ I'm against ending blackness. I believe that everyone has a right to be black, it's a choice, and I support that. ~Steven Colbert

09-23-2005, 07:21 AM	#86 (permalink)
soma Addict Location: USA	When people use fancy language to sound smart, it always sounds stupid. Necessarily - Not necessarily, don't necessarily, [whatever] necessarily. Fancy words - Absurd, enigmatic, eclectic, etc. In a sense - "In a sense" is annoying on its own, but when it is used with fancy words, it's super annoying (example: in an ontological sense). Relatively - Just say very Ironic - When used incorrectly, this just bugs me. __________________ Having Girl Problems?

09-23-2005, 11:05 AM	#88 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	It's kind of funny about the pushy salespeople... My experience shopping is very different. There's a department store, usually in malls, but a little more upscale than Sear's or JC Penny. I loved their store brand underwear. That was the only reason I ever shopped there. The whole rigmarole at this store is that you do not take merchandise up, they ask if they can assist you, you tell them what you want, and then they escort you to the register and ring you up. The men's dept. was almost always empty, no high dollar suit buyers for them to concentrate on. And every time, I had to take my purchase up. These were not cheap fruit of the loom briefs, so there would be some commission. The last time I purchased them there, the young kid, in his suit behind the counter said, "I guess I can ring these up." Grrrrrr...... __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

09-22-2005, 11:41 PM	#85 (permalink)
smackson Upright Location: West Valley City, Utah	It really annoys me when people criticize my social life. I am a 25 year old person who is happy to be at home with my family, but other people(mostly at work) say aren't you always bored at home, we gotta take you out. Now there is nothing wrong with that, but I just really enjoy finding things to do around the house and with the people who I really want to spend time with not my co-workers.

09-23-2005, 10:41 AM	#87 (permalink)
florida0214 Crazy Location: South Florida	There are many things wrong with society (in my opinion) that I simply dont think i woudl have time to put all of them down. First I think everybodyneeds a little background on me. I live in south Florida or Northern Cuba depending on your point of view and nationality. Society down here is most unlike any other place in the USA (never been to canada but would be its differant from there too) There are more non-american here than actual americans. Most people are first generation immigrants or second generation and now citizens. English is normally not spoken As matter of fact you can along a lot better if you only speak Spanish than if you only speak english which I am learning But know that you know i will giv you THE LIST! Most of these stem from driving which is where i spend most of teh work-day. 1. I hate it when people cut you off than wave at you as if to say "thank you for letting me cut off and almost rear-end me." 2. I hate it when there is an accident in the median and everybody has to stop and see causing a 3 hour traffic jam just to watch some guy rub his neck while on the phone with his lawyer. 3. I hate being interrupted. if i am trying to tell you something wait till I finish. I talk, you listen: you talk I listen. This is called a conversation. Common courtesy is gone from the world. 4. i hate it when people miss appointments and do not have the common courtesy to call and explain why or at least tell you they cannot make it. There are instances where this i not possible and those i understand but they are exceptions not the rules. If you say you are going to be somewhere be there and be there on time. thats number 5. 5. Be on Time; actually be early. operate on lombardi time 15 Minutes early or your late. at least call when you will be late. 6. I hate it when fat people super size their meals at BK or McDonalds, then ask for a Diet Coke. Wat message are they trying to convey with that one. 7. I hate it when you put on your turn signal and the person beside you speeds up than matches your speed so you can't move over. 8. I hate stupid questions. Especially when people can answer their own questions. 9. I hate stupid people. common sense is not that common. 10. I hate that people expect me to know spanish but it is discrimination if I expect them to learn english. Again this is America i think. they speak english in Canada why cant we speak it in america. Anyway that is enough for now. I hope I didn't offend anybody.

09-23-2005, 11:32 AM	#89 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Gum Chewing... I don't care if you are a supermodel, when gum is chewed you look like a cow chewing it's cud, it's not attractive, and it's not quiet. Eating is a quiet activity, i don't need to hear you popping your gum like a 2 bit hooker, or hear you smacking your gum... Show a little couth... if your breath is that bad, pop a mint. Gum cracking will just set me over the edge. Why are you talking to me? I sit down in my seat on a plane, with my IPod headphones on, and it never fails, the person siting next to me starts up a conversation with me. I am not a social person. Why are you talking to me, I have on head phones, why would you think i could hear you? Just because i'm stuck sitting next yo you (or rather you have the misfortune of sitting next to me for the next few hours) doesn't mean I want to know your life story or that I care about having a conversation with you. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-26-2005, 02:42 AM	#92 (permalink)
Rlyss The Pusher Location: Edinburgh	I thought of another one after hearing a live version of one of my favorite piano songs. People who clap in time with music at concerts when it's just <i>not</i> a clapping song. I've got a really beautiful live version of a piano song by Nick Cave on my MP3 player that I've never heard before. It starts out beautifully and at the chorus some idiot in the crowd starts them all clapping. It goes on for about 30 seconds before people must realize it's not appropriate for such a beautiful, sad song. But one person keeps going for another two minutes or so. I think he/she has realized they're the only one clapping and thinks 'Do I stop and feel like an idiot or do I keep going and pretend I'm having a great time?'

09-26-2005, 05:57 AM	#93 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	My all time biggest pet peeve, are those individuals that insist upon driving in a lane, that has clearly been marked, for miles and miles, that it's closed ahead. These are the people that try to scream ahead to the "front of the line", put thier blinker on at the last possible moment, and force thier way into traffic just at the point thier lane finally ceases to exist. Y'know what Chucky? I drive this same stretch of road every day. That lane's been closed for the better part of a week. I knew it, and so did 99% of everyone else on this road. And since I recognize your car from yesterday, and the day before...so did you. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

09-26-2005, 07:24 PM	#95 (permalink)
Nimetic Junkie Location: Melbourne, Australia	Mine is the phrase "Oh my god". Sadly - the young women here seem to have picked this up from American sitcoms (some of which are very good actually). Sitting in a cafe in wealthyish area during uni/school holidays here is absolute torture. Coffee hits those kids pretty hard and makes them as noisy as hell. "I'm sooo excited". "Oh my god". "I'm sooo excited". "Ohhh my god thats wonderful". "My too". "Oh my god" "I'm so excited" It almost looks the dialogue for a sex scene when you write it down. Anyways, I console myself by thinking that the smarter kids must hang out somewhere else. I prefer the McDonalds crowd actually... and often I'll end up taking my book there instead.

09-26-2005, 11:59 PM	#99 (permalink)
analog Banned	People who impose time constraints on others because of their own stupidity. Example: Women who come in THE NIGHT their birth control runs out to get the next month's set. Then, when there's an issue and it's not immediately able to be refilled, all of a sudden it's our fault because she came in at the last possible minute for something she KNEW she'd run out of, and exactly when she'd run out of it. Or worse- people with an actual medical need, like diabetics. They come in THE DAY they run out of insulin (which they HAVE to have or they, you know, DIE) and then whine and bitch because it's going to take a few days to straighten out their new insurance coverage on their testing supplies. If they came in BEFORE it was a dire emergency, we'd have time to get in contact with the right people so they can fix it and let us sell it to you at the insurance price, not the cash price. Example2: "Well I have groceries in the car" or "Well I have children waiting in the car" Well good for fucking you, go get rid of them and come back. I'm not skipping your prescription ahead of a dozen or more other people's because you're a clueless, poor-time-management-having insensitive fucktard. Don't use your kids like that, it's shameful. (Quick note that i now work in a pharmacy, hence all these are pharmacy-related gripes about customers) One more thing- unless based on actual medical urgency, no prescription is more important to fill faster than anyone else's. If i've got two prescriptions in my hand, one's for a kid, and the other an adult, i'm doing them in whatever order i got them in. When I tell people a wait time, you wouldn't believe the frequency i get the frustrated comment, "this is for a child!". I don't give a flying fuck, your child isn't more important than an adult. A customer and I: Me: It will be about an hour right now. Her: (pissed) This medicine is for a child! Me: (looking at the prescription, being smiley and polite) Yes, I see that. Thank you. Her: An hour is the best you can do? Me: It's an hour for everyone, ma'am. Her: (I kid you not, yelling at me...) THIS IS FOR A CHILD! Me: I understand ma'am, but not all sick people are children. We help sick adults, too. So she asks for the pharmacy manager, who has been listening and quietly laughing the whole time from only a few feet away (she can't see him from where she was). She then talked to him for a minute, called me a twerp (yeah, a twerp). My fave line of his was his closing with her... Her: He is sick, he has an infection, you're telling me it's not an emergency?? Pharmacy manager: I'm sure your doctor explained this, but antibiotics like the one your son has been prescribed take 2 -3 days before they start really working noticeably. So if i skip you ahead, and you don't have to wait the hour, he'll feel better in roughly 2 days and 23 hours instead of 3 days. If you would like to take a seat, i'll call you the moment i've gotten it ready for you. The comment about the 2 days and 23 hours was priceless. We laughed for the longest time after that. I love my new coworkers. All the staff pharmacists are very cool, joke around a lot and stuff. Sorry for the length of this, but it's a good story (I think ). Last edited by analog; 09-27-2005 at 12:04 AM..

09-27-2005, 04:16 AM	#100 (permalink)
neveroddoreven Upright	My number one social pet peeve is receiving unsolicited parenting advice from strangers. I get very hostile when this happens. __________________ sticking feathers in your butt does not make you a chicken!

09-27-2005, 10:15 AM	#103 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	Two words: Seacrest OUT. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

09-27-2005, 11:14 AM	#104 (permalink)
SirLance Junkie Location: In the middle of the desert.	Wanna piss me off? 1. Leave your cellphone on in the theatre so you can text message all your pals. 2. Talk during the movie. Yeah, I dropped 8.50 to hear YOU. 3. Tailgate me, or cut me off in traffic. Are you that much more important than everyone else? 4. Ask me a question, then interrupt me while I answer you. 5. Don't say please, thank you, I'm sorry, or excuse me when you do something these simple phrases should accompany. 6. Push me while in line. Yeah, that's smart. Then look at me like I'm an idiot. Yeah, that's real smart. I was standing still, you were moving. Watch where you're going, dipshit. You bumped into me. Oh, by the way, I'm an ex-green beret and I can kill you with my thumbs, but you don't know that because I look just like everyone else in the supermarket. (Someone did this twice and the second time I pushed their cart back into them and told them if they pushed me again, I'd feed it to 'em.) 7. Make your car radio so loud that everyone around you has to put up with the THUMP THUMP THUMP of your damn subwoofer. See remarks under 6. I'm a crack shot, too, and I have silenced weapons, not that anyone would hear it over your fucking radio... That's all for now, but I might think of more... __________________ DEMOCRACY is where your vote counts, FEUDALISM is where your count votes.

09-27-2005, 11:49 AM	#105 (permalink)
ElvenDestiny Tilted Location: Pittsburgh, Pa	I have several and will list them if you really care that much lol 1) The general way we use language, people speak as if uneducated, I know my spelling and grammar sucks when im writing/typing but its a lot different if you actually talk to me. I love the old English / medieval way of speaking, and the way the French speak. Talk about gentle to the ears. Now a day’s people just have no respect for words. 2) Falseness, no one in their right mind randomly in public cares two shakes of a rats ass about you and its quiet annoying when people pretend to. 3) Public display of religion, if anything that annoys me more than everything. 4) People on the bus, their quiet, its almost like their too self centered to have a conversation, no one greets anyone anymore. And there are many more I have to ponder over for a bit. In edition numbers 1-7 on Sir Lance's post. ((minus that part about guns, im against guns)) Sage not to shoot one of your things down, and not that I totaly dissagree, but looking at it world wide, (as i am not a smoker).. Smokers have as much right to walk around smoking, as you do to not have to inhale their smoke.. so whose right? __________________ A trees touch could be so soft it could steal you from reality. A winds whisper could be so fierce it could steal your life away. Last edited by ElvenDestiny; 09-27-2005 at 12:36 PM..

09-27-2005, 01:36 PM	#106 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	-People who nag too much, like my sister. I'm not fucking perfect and neither are you, so shut up about it!! I so agree with the public display of religion. Just last Friday there were two ladies in my class who prayed and use Holy Water on themselves for good luck. One of them asked if I wanted some, to which I politely declined, "No, thank you." Yet, she still insist on smearing some of that shit on my desk!! God dammit! I was going to put my paper on that spot and now I have to wait for that shit to dry so I can put it there. I can't very well just take something and wipe it off lest I come off as an asshole, but shit, NO means FUCKING NO!!! Seems like they didn't pray hard enough or something 'cause they both have lower score than me. hahaa! __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

09-27-2005, 04:18 PM	#108 (permalink)
SirLance Junkie Location: In the middle of the desert.	Oh, yeah.... Parents who allow their children to disrupt the entire fucking universe because they don't know how to apply discipline. My kids were taught from a very early age what proper behaviour is and that it was expected of them. Don't tell me "He's only three", because when my kids were three, they didn't run through the store screaming like fucking banshees, they walked along and participated in the "Shopping Experience." They were encouraged to behave and punished when they didn't, and your child can behave too. You just have to have the self discipline to correct them. It takes effort, and they are worth the effort. The real issue is parents who are not willing to give anything up, especially their precious time, for their kids. Well, you had 'em, so suck it up and be a damn father (or mother), jerk. __________________ DEMOCRACY is where your vote counts, FEUDALISM is where your count votes.

09-27-2005, 04:45 PM	#109 (permalink)
SirLance Junkie Location: In the middle of the desert.	Oh, and one more thing... This afternoon I went to the bank. I had to get a certified check for the movers. So, being a rational, aware human being, I stopped at the little table to fill out my withdrawl slip. While I'm filling out my withdrawl slip, some dumbass on a cell phone gets in line. He talks on his stupid cell phone while he's in the line. The whole time. Ten minutes or so. I know the results of his prostate exam. I don't care. Nobody cares. He gets to the head of the line. He's so busy talking about his prostate he doesn't notice that a teller window has opened up. I tap him on the shoulder and point to the open window. He gives me a dirty look. I tell him to hang up and do his business. He goes to the teller window still talking on his cellphone and says "Hang on a second." He asks the teller for a deposit slip. The 17 people in line behind me let out disgusted sighs. He proceeds to stand at the teller window and fill out his slip. He trys to fill out his slip while talking on his phone. He can't, fucks up and asks for another slip. I decided that I have had about enough. I walk up to the window and ask him to step aside while he does his paperwork. He tells me that he was "first." I tell him that the rest of us are ready to transact business, and he should have been getting his shit together instead of telling the entire bank about his prostate. I tell him that it's rude to make all these people wait because he didn't have the foresight to have a fucking deposit slip filled out. People behind me start to laugh. The manager pipes up, "Really, sir, it is inconsiderate of you to not be prepared to do your business when you arrive at the head of the line. Please step aside and let us transact for those who are ready until your paperwork is filled out. We'll take care of you then." Applause from the line. I handed the teller my filled out withdrawl slip, she took care of me, and I left. Have no idea if dipshit ever got his prostate working... __________________ DEMOCRACY is where your vote counts, FEUDALISM is where your count votes.

09-27-2005, 10:23 PM	#110 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	SirLance, you rock! Inconsiderate people piss me off to no end. __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

09-28-2005, 05:07 AM	#111 (permalink)
amire Crazy	Braggarts are without a doubt the most reprehensible social creature anywhere. They are VERY proud of their one ability and will never fail to let their wonderful accomplishmente slip by unnoticed. Very similar to the braggarts are the know-it-alls. I'm not saying that knowledge and intelligence are unwanted...not at all. In fact, I highly value intelligence. I hate, however, when people think they always know the correct answer and never fail to let me in on the secret.

09-28-2005, 05:10 AM	#112 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	SirLance I agree with you on your last two posts; why do people have children when they can't be bothered to actually spend their own time and energy raising them properly? Dude, even if you didn't plan/want the kid, GROW THE FUCK UP and discipline him or her so that the kid can become a contributing member of society someday instead of a complete asshole/moron. I can't stand those lax parents, esp. in public places... or if one parent is working really hard to take care of the kid, while the other is doing absolutely nothing to support the other, jabbering with friends or ignoring the situation, etc. That pisses me off just about as much as both parents ignoring the kid. And I think what you said to the dude in the bank was AWESOME. I think that was completely and totally appropriate. I always lack the right words to deliver that kind of message... so I admire your ability to verbally ream someone who deserved it. __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran

09-28-2005, 07:02 PM	#117 (permalink)
Nimetic Junkie Location: Melbourne, Australia	What about... Ascertain (I am attempting to ascertain the location of my golf ball) Historic versus historical (Why use the long version) Oriented vs Orientated (Ditto) Some of these might be more common in commonwealth English... Dunno.

09-28-2005, 10:43 PM	#118 (permalink)
Dungeon_Shade Crazy Location: Grand Junction, CO	I hate it when you are talking to someone, and they spit chew into a can in front of them. It is so damn disgusting, it starts stinking, looks nasty, and it's pointless. I also hate how you will talk to a female, and they will break, mid sentence, to talk to a guy they just saw. I don't know if they do that to play mind games, or what, but it bugs the hell out of me. __________________ "If you can hear this whispering you are dying."- Pink Floyd

09-29-2005, 06:31 PM	#119 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	SirLance: Awesome post. My one problem - The reason why I hesitate to speak up in those type of situations is that I am concerned about violent reaction. I live in LA where everyone wants to fight all the time. I am not a former Green Beret so I am somewhat reluctant to do what you do (I wish I could). What if cell-phone-jerk-at-the-bank told me to fuck off? Or pushed me? I'm not a big guy nor do I look intimidating so I guess I am too cowardly to risk violence. sImilar to the guy in church. If he lets his kids behave that way, chances are he's also "thuggish" or a bully. Still, I applaud what you did, that was awesome. I just wish I could do it too.