Tuesday 18 September 2012

Have a rant - I'm going to!

What's your pet peeve?

Is it queuing at the supermarket, listening to endless automated phone instructions before you get through to a human being, overseas call centres where no-one understand each other, loud conversations on mobile phones or the sound of skateboards on pavements?

Let's face it, we all have peeves. And peeves add to our stress levels, sometimes more than others. 

I was once driven to distraction by the sound of screaming youngsters endlessly knocking a football around the cul-de-sac where I lived at the time. Plants would get damaged, cars dented and nerves frayed - but still the parents didn't heed neighbours' pleas to show a little respect.

I read recently that such incidents, if they go on for a long time, can have a detrimental effect on our mental and therefore possibly physical health. I'm not surprised. Anything which causes irritation consistently (like a dripping tap, scratching on a chalk board etc) really does make one's hackles rise. I know the footballing kids gave me many migraines.

For me now, it's screaming babies and toddlers where parents don't do anything about it, people who park on my driveway without permission and block me in, inconsiderate neighbours, reality TV shows - and the list goes on. 

I have become a grumpy old woman. 

To make me feel I'm not alone, do let me know your pet peeves. And please don't say it's anyone who asks what your pet peeves are!