More Annoyances

The list is endless, but here are a few more:

• People who fling their driver-side car door open without thinking or caring about the traffic passing by.

• People who get confused at traffic circles (a.k.a. roundabouts). Let's review. There is no need to stop if nobody is approaching you from your left; it's a yield sign, not a stop sign. Conversely, there IS a need to stop if someone is in the circle and approaching you from your left. Got it?

• Anyone who says "it's only a movie" as a lowbrow deflection to considering plot holes, inconsistencies, moral content, or hidden meanings. If it's "only a movie," why are actors treated like gods, and why are there Academy Awards? Clearly this is something important, which makes analysis and criticism worthwhile.

• Poor communication etiquette. I'm noticing this more often, but it appears that many people feel no obligation to respond promptly (or at all) upon receiving an email, text message, or voicemail. This is incredibly rude. If I'm busy, not in the mood to talk, or think that your message is foolish, I still give a prompt response even if just to say that I received the message and will give a full answer later. Get some manners, people.

• The fact that calling someone out on crummy or unprofessional behavior is often viewed as a worse offense than the behavior itself. I don't subscribe to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." This lets evilDOERS off the hook.

• The widespread view that the purpose of higher learning is to secure a higher income. Wrong. The purpose of higher learning is to secure a higher awareness of the world and the universe, and to become more capable of independent and critical thought (i.e., freedom). Even more annoying is that modern "higher learning" fails on both counts.

• People who attend (and actually cheer at) professional golf tournaments.   

• Anyone dressed casually in church, in court, or at a wedding.

• Tuxedos with neckties. It's not a tuxedo anymore; if you want to wear a necktie, wear a suit. 

• The fact that everyone is obsessed with physical health (e.g., diet, smoking, vaccines, etc.) but pays little or no care to spiritual health (e.g., language, fidelity, compassion, etc.).

• People who run downhill on hiking paths. There is no health benefit to this, and it's an inconvenience to those who wish to descend in peace. I also strongly suspect that if one these people slipped and fell off the path, he would file a lawsuit.

• On the same note, people who go for an arduous uphill hike and force a little dog to accompany them. The poor things are always panting to death.

UPDATE

• On two recent occasions I was reminded of another major annoyance: being stuck with a malfunctioning DVD rental because the mindless people who had it earlier put their greasy paws all over it.