Pet Peeves

That’s So Annoying! An Etiquette Expert’s Take On The World’s Most Irritating Habits and What To Do About Them by Cynthia W. Lett is available from Skyhorse Publishing Company.  It is a book covering pet peeves we have about others’ behavior and how to handle them.

Thank you for your contribution.

Here are some classic breaches of etiquette that our guests have identified as their pet peeves:

“It disturbs me when a waiter turns a wine glass or coffee cup over on its rim if the diner doesn’t want to be served that beverage.  A glass or cup should never show its bottom or “kiss” the tablecloth.  It not only looks horrible on the table to the other diners, but draws attention to the person who didn’t want to be served that beverage.”

“Gossip in the workplace is often out of control. In an office with rows of cubicles a person who has a conflict with a co-worker decides to discuss it in the open environment for everyone else to hear. A person should always take up confrontational conversation in the privacy of an office or away from communal areas.”   - Heather

“It bothers me to see people with name tags on the left side of their chest.  If I try to read their name, I have to direct my line of vision across their body and it feels and looks awkward.   The proper placement for the name tag is on the right shoulder.  The direct line of vision when two people shake hands is first the eyes and then it drops to the right shoulder.  It only makes sense to put your name where it is easily and discreetly seen and read.”

“The most irritating peeve I have is people who interrupt, or people who tell someone else’s story.” -  Barbara Kracher

“My pet peeve is individuals who blow their nose at the dinner table. It would be polite if they would excuse themselves to the mens/ladies room.” - Patryce Collins

“This is under the category of driving etiquette. In California while driving on the freeway many slow drivers move to the left lane oblivious of the flow of traffic. They never move over! I have seen this only in California.. The 2 lanes to the right go faster (with the flow of traffic) than the left lane. This makes me think such a person wants to demonstrate their control issues.” - Sandy Jolley

“One of my pet peeves is a person who eats with mouth open, showing their partially masticated food to all. ” - Sandy Jolley

“My worst pet peeve is when the waiter holds your glass and has his/her hand on the rim then you have to drink from it and you see their finger marks all over the glass. ” - Kelly

“My pet peeve is a person who is self-righteous and has all the answers and the only answers, eliminating an open-mind to grow and learn in life. The only person they hurt is themselves by not letting in more of life.” - Rev. Marilyn Redmond

“My biggest pet peeves are individuals who raise their voice or hurry their speech at the first sign of input from another impeding their participation in the conversation. It really bothers me when they take it to the extreme of jumbling their speech or raising their voice to a noticeably high level to onlookers.”  -Katherine Wenke

“When people gossip about things they have no idea about. Especially in front of big groups of people.”  - Megan Sherba

“I am annoyed when people use the words SOMEONE or A PERSON then use the pronoun THEY as though the words were plural.” - Lorna Hemp Boll

“People who chew gum in public…public being anywhere there is another person, outside of your own personal living quarters.” - Anonymous”Ingress and Egress.

It irritates me to see people in public areas, such as boarding trains or buses, or gaining entry anywhere (building) are oblivious to proper etiquette. Always let people exit a building or vehicle before entering. Not only is it courteous, but common sense.” - Jeanie Walker

“Spitting on sidewalks and parking lots is an omnipresent act that is totally disgusting! If one needs to get rid of phlegm use a tissue or at least be considerate enough to eject into a flower bed or trash receptacle. Better yet, blow your nose before it settles in the throat or simply swallow!”- Leslie McHugh

” I think it’s obnoxious when people pick things off of your clothes while they are talking with you, without your permission.” - Anonymous

“At parties, weddings or business receptions when a person eats over the buffet table. Not everyone wants a full plate of food, so if you only want one shrimp please, put it on a napkin and walk away.”  - patrastephan

“My pet peeve is women who touch up their make-up, clean their teeth and groom their hair at the dinner (table) – get a clue, “powder room”.- Loretta Huggins