Man, I just know there's a great Big Lebowski quote that would fit here! I have a worse time with people in the check out line who have two or three dozen coupons, and the like, and they can't find some of them, they're all disorganized, fumbling around, and they know, "It's here in my purse/pockets somewhere... just a sec!!" Meanwhile, you, and the seven people behind you, one with a screaming baby, or maybe it just pooted (and I've been there with the babies and poot, so don't bust my chops, people), and the person just behind you sounds like they are dying from the flu. All you want to do is pay for your items, a handful over the express line's limit, and the chump in front is driving you NUTS! Golly. That felt good.
This is mine too. If it's one thing that my son knows not to do is smack his mouth while eating. It has to do with portion control. You should just put enough food in your mouth to properly chew it, before swallowing not a mouthfull.
When it comes to language mistakes, I think Americans are the nicest people I know of. You can totally butcher the language, speak it with the thickest, most atrocious accent, and most Americans will try to work with you and find out what you're trying to say. Abroad, it seems like people are less willing to try to understand me. And, they'd rather use their piss-poor English than let me speak their language. That's not an indictment of foreigners, nor do I think it's rude of them. I'm just impressed with most Americans' tolerance in this regard. Swoly-D's peeve reminds me of this difference I see.
Most annoying: answering your cell phone during surgery. No kidding, right at the end of my c-section, someone's cell phone goes off and she answers it! It wasn't even important. As for poor table manners, yes it bothers me to see someone smack their lips, etc. I am also very uncomfortable with people standing too close to me or touching me beyond a hand shake. However, it is polite in some cultures to make loud appreciative noises over your food. Likewise, it is also impolite in many cultures to stand far away from someone you are speaking to. Almost all other cultures have a smaller personal space preference than Americans. Granted, when people move to or visit another country, they should learn and respect the customs there. But honestly, there are a lot of customs to learn and few people willing to take the time to teach them rather than just be annoyed. Which leads me to my next pet peeve: people not willing to extend grace to foreigners and yet expecting leeway when they go abroad.
Gawd. I never thought that could be a nightmare until I moved in with my current roomate. this is exactly what driving me to move out of the apartment today. I found an one bedroom apartment and signed the lease yesterday and I am so happy about this decision.
