Visiting Two Of My Pet Peeves

I sat with a friend the other day, and we got to talk about things that annoyed us. Now, we’re positive people for the most part, and maybe the rainy days were getting to us, but we compiled a few pet peeves that get under our skin. We limited them to five each to avoid going into a dark, depressing hole. The exercise was fun for both of us as we got a few things off our chest. A pet peeve is a minor annoyance that an individual finds particularly irritating. It bugs us more than it would bother most people.

Here are two of mine:

Bad Table Manners: There was perfect timing on this one because that same friend and I met for lunch and we were sitting near a table where the man was burping every few seconds. Granted he may have had gastritis or acid reflux, but I doubt it. Why? He was eating like a pig and annoying everyone else, He was loud, obnoxius, kept playing videos on his phone at a high volume until I told him to turn it down, and was spoiling the dining experience for everyone else until he and his partner left the premises. For crying out loud Mr. Pig and others, at least do the following whether eating in or out an an establishment.

1. Chew with your mouth closed.
2. Keep your smartphone off the table and set it to silent or vibrate. Wait to check calls and texts until you are finished with the meal and away from the table. Don’t worry; your world won’t fall apart if you don’t check your phone every ten minutes.
3. Hold utensils correctly. Don’t use your fork or spoon like a shovel or stab your food.
   Wash up and come to the table clean.
4. Don’t groom or attend to hygiene at the table. And ladies, this also means not applying lipstick at the table – excuse yourself and go to the restroom.
5. Remember to use your napkin.
6. Wait until you’re done chewing to sip or swallow a drink.
7. Pace yourself with fellow diners. Cut only one piece of food at a time.
8. Avoid slouching and don’t place your elbows on the table while eating (though it is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses, and always has been).
9. Instead of reaching across the table for something, ask for it to be passed to you.
10. Bring your best self to the meal. Take part in the dinner conversation.

Pet Peeve Number Two is yelling into Smartphones. Yelling into smartphones is a common but annoying habit, and it often happens for several reasons:

Perception of Poor Connection: People associate yelling with being heard better, even though smartphones have sensitive microphones that pick up normal speaking volumes.

Background Noise: In noisy environments, people instinctively raise their voices to overcome the ambient sound.

Habit from Older Technology: Those who grew up with landlines or early mobile phones may have developed a habit of speaking louder, thinking it helps with clarity.

Emotional Conversations: Heated or passionate discussions often lead to yelling, whether intentional or not.

Unawareness of Microphone Quality: Some users might not trust their phone’s ability to transmit sound effectively and think speaking louder helps.

How to Stop the Habit: Just Stop Doing It

Monitor your volume while speaking on the phone. If you catch yourself yelling, consciously lower your voice.

Use feedback from others—if they comment on your volume, take it as a sign to adjust.

Use headphones or earbuds with a built-in microphone. This brings the mic closer to your mouth, reducing the need to raise your voice.

Use speakerphone sparingly, as it can encourage yelling if the phone is far away.

Step away from loud areas to take calls, minimizing the need to compete with background noise.

Modern smartphones are designed to capture sound efficiently at normal speaking levels. Trust the technology.

Use visual or mental cues to remind yourself to stay calm and quiet when on the phone. A post-it on your phone or a notification can be a gentle nudge.

Record yourself during a call to hear how loud you sound. Awareness can help adjust your habits.

Practice speaking more deliberately and clearly rather than loudly. Enunciation often works better than volume to ensure the listener understands you.

Breaking this habit takes practice, but being mindful and using tools like hands-free devices can help you communicate more effectively without yelling.