Scuffling Feet
Oct 13th 2008
Claudia DainMy Life As A Plebe
When I was ten years old, my family moved from Los Angeles to a small town in Connecticut. I was in the fifth grade. School in CT was different from school in CA. For one, in CA it was called Elementary School and in CT it was called Grammar School. Okay. That took some mental adjustment.
Another difference was that the teachers stood in the hallways as we trooped in from recess or from lunch, a throng of clustered kids, all talking noisily before being hustled into the quiet of the classroom. And what 
those teachers did, to my intense surprise, was whack any kid on the head with a ruler for the crime of shuffling feet.
Whack! “Stop scuffing your feet!”
Whop! “Pick your feet up!”
Ah, the good old days.
The first time I got the old ruler on the head, I turned in absolute shock to stare at the teacher. She was unfazed and unashamed by my look of outrage. “Stop scuffling!” she rebuked me. I looked around me. The girl next to me nodded, clearly siding with the teacher. So I’d dragged my heels a bit? Was that a crime?
Yes.
I got whacked once more in that school and then I never dragged my feet again. Ever. This was a one high school town and I can tell you plainly, no one in that entire town dragged their feet. It must have been in the town charter or something (this town was founded in the 1670s) and we all know how those Puritans were about infractions of the scuffling sort.
Apparently the old ruler to the top of the head trick bears rich fruit, because I can’t stand the sound of shuffling, scuffling feet. It’s the worst at the mall. People scuffling all around you. I have the hardest time not running over to the offender and saying sharply, “Pick up your feet!”
To date, I’ve refrained. But I’m thinking of carrying a ruler in my purse.
What bugs you? Gum chewing? Knuckle cracking? Nose picking? Teeth picking? Uncovered sneezing?
84 Comments »
84 Responses to “Scuffling Feet”
evlqn on 13 Oct 2008 at 2:45 am #
Don’t get me started!!
Spitting in public,it’s gross and extremely unsanitary! I don’t want to walk in someones spit.
Loud music coming from passing cars. I don’t like any music enough tohave you blast my ear drums from your car.
Not having the courtesy to look me in the eye when you talk to me. I always wonder what you have to hide. After all we are not canines and have to worry about giving an alpha challenge.
Talking under your breath when you are “annoyed” with someone. If you think you have acomplaint, have the cajonnes to say it don’t mumble it.
Close drawers and cupboard doors after you open them.
Marie on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:21 am #
Nail clicking!
Judy F on 13 Oct 2008 at 4:51 am #
Scuffling Feet bother me too. I always think it goes back to those nuns with rulers that I had growing up.
Inside voice–not using it when you are inside drives me nuts. I can’t tell you the times parents yell to kids in the back of the store.
People that say DUDE every other word. LOL
The lady that sits beside me at work starts every sentence with Ah…. Ah Rhonda, ah calling about a bill, ah etc.
cail on 13 Oct 2008 at 6:45 am #
evqln, you nailed it on the button.. i hate when people spit in public. it’s so gross. like honestly, did they REALLY have to do that?
uncovered sneezing and coughing also grosses me out, plus its unsanitary and makes me sick. drives me insane.
other than that the only thing that really grosses me out is when someone picks their nose and eats it. and i work in an elementary school. luckily i haven’t seen to much of that.
Kathy/Cookie on 13 Oct 2008 at 6:52 am #
What gets me gagging is someone sniffing/sucking back their snot. I want to barf! Which I’m sure would bother someone else! lol
I travel the buses alot now for my new job and whoa, a lot of people do it. I just want to hand them a tissue and say “blow”
Margaret on 13 Oct 2008 at 7:20 am #
Shuffling feet bother me, too, Claudia. But not because I ever got whacked on the head with a ruler. Good grief! I never heard of such a thing. Back in the 40’s/50’s we wore either saddle oxfords or penny loafers. Complete with penny. We didn’t have flip flops and such. I was a terrible shuffler & it drove my aunt crazy. So, she was constantly telling me to pick my feet up. So, I do.
The kids nowadays have those b/w flip flops (Nike? Addida?) and drag their feet everywhere. I think because the back of the shoe drops and scuff. I know how Aunt Jeffie felt now.
I go mentally ballistic over people adding the words “you know, basically and/or actually” in every sentence out of their mouths. Arrgh! I’ve broken many a kid by repeating the offending word right after they said it. Thus, breaking the flow of their story and making them think. None of my kids or grandkids used those words. My job is done.
Boom box cars? Where are those cop strips when I need them? Or an Uzi.
LisaK on 13 Oct 2008 at 7:25 am #
I hate people who are chewing gum or eating anything and who don’t close their mouth while doing so. I mean, helloho, I don’t want to see what nasty thing you’re eating, so keep your mouth shut, okay?
I also can’t stand these cool little kids who think they’re wow when they’re listening to music from their cellphones without earplugs. I so hate that! And they mostly do this in trains where I can’t escape them, these evil little creatures!
Jessie on 13 Oct 2008 at 7:36 am #
Kathy, the snot thing gets me, too! Except, I don’t want them to blow their noses either. At least not in the room with me. I firmly believe that should be done in the bathroom. Ugh. Just grosses me out something awful.
On TV, I don’t like when people don’t stand or sit up straight. I don’t mind people slouching in public, but it absolutely ticks me off on the screen.
Beth C. on 13 Oct 2008 at 7:50 am #
Well two years ago the scuffling of my oldest son bothered me. Now it’s the stomping. Yes, my feels the need to stomp everywhere he goes. Probably because he got tired of hearing me tell him to pick up his feet. That or he knows it bothers me.
This is my husband’s son. The youngest takes after me. I’ve managed not to do bodily harm to the oldest, so far so good. Although sometimes a ruler would be nice. As long as they aren’t on the knuckles. That hurts.
Kim on 13 Oct 2008 at 7:53 am #
That’s just barbaric! They actually hit you with a ruler?!?! Okay, seriously, I would have let off the mom-bomb if they did that to my son.
evlqn on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:16 am #
Kim, back when I went to school just about any discipline was allowed. The schools were still permitted to spank kids. When my sons were going to school that had changed thankfully. Now I would be grateful for ANY kind of discipline in schools. Now they send out “Notices of concern”. And if that doesn’t work they just remove the child from school and it is no longer their problem.
Guys who wear their pants so far off their butts they have to hold onto them to keep them on. And they wear two pairs of boxers, one for show and one for actual use. I don’t need to see their underwear, I assume their mothers sent them out into the world wearing clean panties.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:35 am #
LOL You can tell how much times have changed. I told my mom about the ruler the day it happened and her response was, “Well, pick up your feet.” LOL Believe me, I suffered no lasting harm.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:37 am #
Spitting in public! That is so disgusting. I never saw it much until I moved to the south (that’s the American south for you exotic Europeans and Aussies). There’s so much “chew” around here that there’s a lot of public spitting involved.
Gag.
Freedom Writer on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:37 am #
What bugs me is people who use the word “then” when they mean “than”. I see many of my college students’ classmates do this. For example they will write something like this: “The issue of global warming is more important then the issue of teenage sex.” I rant about it to my kids and dh every time I see college essays with this type of error in it.
I hate people walking around in public areas talking on their cell phone like everyone else in the area can’t hear them. We don’t want to hear about yours or your best friends personal issues. Or when a person is so important that they can’t turn off their cell phone during an important meeting because they might miss a call about that all important golf game.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:40 am #
Marie! Nail clicking! I would never have thought to list that, but you’re so right. I just hate that sound. It’s always the acrylic nail wearers who do it, too. The click is so distinctive.
And on a related topic, nail biters. What you do to your poor fingernails in private is your own business, but keep your fingertips out of your mouth in public!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:43 am #
Gum chewing is a big ick for me. From the very start of her red carpet life, Britney Spears would chew gum, openly. On the red carpet! You could see it in her mouth when she talked. The fact that she wound up without panties, flashing the world…well, it was a short step from one to the other.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:44 am #
I can’t actually discuss nose picking. I just want to throw up.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:48 am #
You know, someone needs to teach Tech Etiquette, maybe the school system (though they have their hands full already). I mean, there are so many ways to be rude about it! We need some rules to live by, like no texting when you’re talking to an actual person standing right in front of you! Or no cell phone talking in the middle of the movie. Or no song playing on your cell phone.
Nobody knows what’s proper with their Tech Stuff, so they just use it anyway and anytime they want.
Okay, this is it. I volunteer to be a part of the Tech Police. I’m getting my ruler.
Who’s with me?
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:50 am #
Jessie, slouching is DH’s hot button. He can’t stand it no matter where he sees it. Also high on his list is the whiner, you know, that person who whines and calls it talking? How do these habits start?
We know how they end. THE RULER! LOL
PJ on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:09 am #
THE RULER was alive and well when I was in school though I was never the recipient of it, thankfully. Maybe that’s because I picked up my feet.
I’m one of those weird (or so it seem these days) people who thinks words should be spelled correctly. My current spelling pet peeve? People who spell the word lose (as in, “don’t lose your lunch money”) L O O S E. That is not how you spell the word. Loose is the opposite of tight. I know it’s picky but it just bugs me. My latest example…
“Zeus tried all of his options before returning this page to you.
You are looking for something that is not here now.
You can always try doing a search or browsing through the Archives.
Don’t loose your hope just yet.”
PJ on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:12 am #
Question for the goddesses: Is Zeus angry? This has been happening for the past couple weeks. I’ll be reading the posts and - POOF - they disappear and I get the message above. Do you think he can read minds and heard me criticize his spelling? (grin)
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:14 am #
PJ, SNAP!
It’s amazing and awful how these things slip by. THEN for THAN. LOOSE for LOSE.
We all need to keep our eagle eyes (and rulers) alert for infractions!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:25 am #
PJ, we’re having some trouble, but it’s being worked on. Sorry!
Kim on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:28 am #
Can I interupt our current blog for the following announcement??
This week marks the first anniversary of The Forum! Woohoo. Of course, we’re having a big blow-out celebration. Its going from today until October 31. There’s refreshments and prizes galore! ARC’s, gift card, research books and a few special prizes coming directly from the Goddesses *g*
So, take a few minutes to visit the Anniversary section of The Forum!
PJ on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:38 am #
Okay, let’s try this again. So far I’ve typed this post four times and Zeus has zapped it all four times. I’m thinking he’s really angry with me.
Several months ago I was in my local Curves and noticed a new sign on the wall. LOOSE WEIGHT - WIN BONUS DOLLARS. I thought it was funny and tried to convince the owner (jokingly) that I deserved bonus dollars since I had an abundance of “loose weight”. She didn’t get the joke. I explained it to her. She still didn’t get it. Sigh. What can I say? I trained to be an English teacher. It’s a curse. (grin)
Margaret on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:01 am #
I didn’t train to be any sort of teacher, PJ, but I am definitely with you on spelling. Also the use of certain words. One sentence that annoys me when I see it is “She didn’t have much in the refrigerator. So, she made “due” with what she had.” Arrgh! It’s “make do” for crying out loud!
Other things that annoy me are “axe” for ask. And, oh yeah, “He’s my baby daddy”. I never heard that till a couple of years ago. Huh?
I hate hearing people use the F word in public. Especially teens. They always say it loudly. As if they are proud they know such a naughty word.
Goodness, I’m feeling crankier the more I think about these things.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:10 am #
Baby daddy? That’s a new one on me, Margaret. What does it mean?
Axe for ask…somebody hand me a ruler!
Sabrina Jeffries on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:35 am #
I was going to say that nothing annoys me, but that’s not true. Personal habits don’t generally annoy me; spelling mistakes drive me nuts. It’s the former technical editor in me. Unfortunately, I OFTEN have that homonym thing going, where I’m writing fast and I put a homonym or a similar word in place of the right one. So I should NOT throw stones.
But I still do.
Loose for lose makes me crazy, as does then for than, it’s for its, and several others that I can’t think of right now.
The only personal habit that drives me nuts is people who “sprinkle when they tinkle” and don’t wipe the seat. When you’re heavy, you can’t really hover over a toilet like some people do, so I resent having to wipe up someone else’s pee just so I can go to the bathroom. I already do it enough for my son–I don’t need to do it for strangers.
cail on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:48 am #
Sabrina! Oh man, you found another one of mine… I hate people who hover over the seat and then don’t clean up. I can’t hover and its SO gross to have to deal with that. man oh man that makes me mad. I love those paper seat covers that they provide. i want to scream at these people— USE THE COVERS!
LisaK on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:56 am #
Okay, hereby I apologize for every possible spelling mistake in one of my posts. I mean, English is not my mother tongue, but as I’m VERY fussy I always try to make as little mistakes as possible and it hurts me to see so many people here violating the English language.
Talking about language things, here’s one thing that really drives me nuts: In the German language, the open quotation marks are put at the bottom of the line. It’s NOT like in English or - if you want to - French. The close quotation marks are the same as in English, but not. The. Open. Ones. Makes me crazy!
LisaK on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:57 am #
Btw, Zeus doesn’t like me, too.
evlqn on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:58 am #
Margaret, I’m with you on the profanity. My sons would object when they couldn’t use what was termed “grown-up” words. So we solved that problem by telling them they could use any words they wanted as long as they could define it, spell it, use it properly in a sentence and give me three alternative words. One day my son Ian came up to me and he was so proud,he had finally come up with the requirements for using the word Damn. You know he was in his 20’s before I actually heard him say the word.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:08 am #
I have been known to use TWO paper toilet seat covers. I believe in covering all the bases.
Nicole Jordan on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:08 am #
Good grief, Claudia! That could traumatize a kid for life! It’s no wonder you can’t take shuffling feet. I have to admit I don’t think that’s ever bothered me before.
There are a lot of little things that drive me nuts…. probably the worst is someone talking really loud so that I can’t hear myself think.
PJ on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:14 am #
LisaK, I would never have guessed that English is not your native language. You write, and spell, exceptionally well!
evlqn on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:31 am #
And on the bathroom issue, people who don’t flush or wash their hands after use.ICK!!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:33 am #
LisaK, you write and spell beautifully! Please don’t be nervous about that! English is my native language and, in my hurry to hit ’send’ have done the ‘it’s’ for ‘its’ mistake OFTEN.
Nobody has to be perfect here on Mt. Oly. We just look perfect, and that’s all that counts.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:34 am #
Oh, no! Do I seem traumatized? I don’t *feel* traumatized.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:35 am #
Eviqn! What is it with people who don’t flush!? I mean, why make it MY job? That’s just sooo gross.
Hand washing…goes without saying.
PJ on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:40 am #
We have to LOOK perfect??? Geez, it’s a good thing this blog isn’t hooked to a webcam! LOL!
Karen Hawkins on 13 Oct 2008 at 12:12 pm #
I don’t shuffle, spit in public, mistake ‘loose’ for ‘lose,’ or forget to wash my hands. I also don’t carry a ruler to swap unsuspecting shufflers, spitters, or poor spellers, though it would be fun. I do, however, occasionally get caught up in a post and spell something wrong from sheer excitement.
Sorry in advance.
What has really gotten me last week is all of the negative opinion pieces. Sure the economy is struggling, but people, PLEASE! We don’t need any more nay-sayers. My mother always said, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” I’d personally like to whack each and every news anchor on the head with a ruler for looking so EXCITED they’ve got bad news to share!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 12:43 pm #
PJ, two words: photo shop. Looking perfect is just a click away!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 12:46 pm #
Yeah, Karen, there’s something really twisted about being excited about bad news. I think there has to be some simple explanation, like just enjoying a break in the monotony of weather/sports/the latest celebrity trial, but it’s still a very weird character trait.
Lisa H on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:16 pm #
I hate when people say “dude” especially when referring to a female. My son tried it once and I enlightened him.
Lisa H on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:18 pm #
Sorry I haven’t been around, I too have been getting the OOps boot.
Lisa H on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:19 pm #
Off Topic - But are any of you goddesses going to the NJRW Conference Oct 24 and 25? I am and would love to meet all of you face to face.
Sabrina Jeffries on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:20 pm #
Trust me, the spelling thing only bugs me in printed work. As a former tech editor, I am appalled that companies don’t take this stuff seriously. But on a blog I don’t care. I figure everyone’s typing as fast as I am!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:41 pm #
Lisa H, I don’t do ‘dude’ either. I also don’t do high fives. I am not your teammate. I am your mother! Bow and grovel, that’s the kind of interaction I’m looking for, the old fashioned kind.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:42 pm #
I’m not going, though I’ve always wanted to. I have a deadline breathing down my neck so I’m chained to the desk from now until…well, it feels like forever!
RachelG on 13 Oct 2008 at 1:53 pm #
Spitting and people who eat with their mouths open make me physically ill. And I hate to be around know-it-alls.
rgibson
Santa on 13 Oct 2008 at 2:33 pm #
Wasn’t it illegal to spit in public at one time? I seem to remember an old, old, old comedy routine around it. Sid Caesar? Abbott & Costello? Kids in the Hall?
Personally, I cannot abide people talking on cell phones while ordering or paying for items at a store. Those folks and the ones who have the walkie-talkie type cell phones. No I don’t want to know what that &$^%# said to you the other day! RUDE! RUDE! RUDE!
colinfirthfan on 13 Oct 2008 at 2:41 pm #
I am really bad at spelling and grammar. Please excuse all such mistakes while reading my post.
Other than nose picking, coughing without covering etc.. a few other things that bother me:
1. Not washing hands with soap after using the restroom. Freaks me out!! (I see it at work all the time)
2. Kids who wear pants that are a centimeter from sliding off their butt. Really I don’t want to see your boxers. I want to pull it up and tighten their belt.
3. Dragging your feet. Annoying.
4. Also people who wear sandlas that slap loudly against their leg. Aaaggghh!
KarenH, I frequently tell my kids the exact same thing. “If you don’t have anything nice to say……”
LisaH, the correct term is - Dudess.
My cousins and I call each other dudess. My kids don’t. Though I occasionally call them dEWd. 
colinfirthfan on 13 Oct 2008 at 2:42 pm #
I HATE spitting in p[ublic more that EVERYTHING else. And littering!!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 2:50 pm #
Santa, yes, I was taught that spitting in public was against the law because of the possibility of picking up communicable diseases, this I assume was from when some people walked around barefoot? I wish they’d put that law back on the books!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 2:57 pm #
I am making a public announcement!
No one needs to worry about spelling errors!
It will be assumed that you were so excited to post that your fingers got away from you. Or it will be assumed that your keyboard is broken. Or it will be assumed that your spellchecker is dyslexic.
Since you are a goddess, no one will think you are at fault. You are a goddess. You are perfect!
You may now resume posting.
colinfirthfan on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:06 pm #
Thank you Claudia. My last post had so many errors I thought I’d be demoted to Slave!
Julia London on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:19 pm #
Spitting really makes me gag.
Paula on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:29 pm #
the things that bug me are, spitting, sniffing(just get a tissue and blow), picking noses ( I cured my boys of that habit as every tinme I caught them I would make them go and wash their hands didn’t take long), trousers that show a ‘builder’s bum.
In my house we have a saying when you go to the loo don’t forget to ‘flush and wash’. My boys now say it wherever we are and yes they do do it.
Zeus must be having a bad day today as 4 times it has thrown me out.
Judy F on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:33 pm #
Another thing is people that don’t understand how to have a conversation. You talk, I talk etc. Not just you talk. And know it alls.
dbrown3400 on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:46 pm #
Lisa H, I hope to go to the book signing. It depends on whether my daughter can give me a ride. If she has to work, it’s a no go.
I must confess when I’m at home, it’s scuffling for me. I wear slippers all the time and tried walking without scuffling and almost fell over. Making a promise to do better. I do pick up my feet when I’m in my sneakers.
Spitting is my big issue. With a lot of sports on my TV agenda, I see it more than normal. How do they work up that much moisture?
Jane on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:51 pm #
I hate it when people skips lines and push and shove others in order to be the first people to board the bus or subway.
dbrown3400 on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:52 pm #
We did get spankings in school as well as the rulers. Of course, that was back in the dark ages. What methods are there for teaching in schools today? I don’t know of any except time outs and detentions and most kids don’t pay attention to those, or do they?
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:54 pm #
I remember in junior high that if you got caught chewing gum in class, you had to put it on your nose.
I don’t chew gum either.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 3:56 pm #
JudyF, yes! Not only has the fine art of conversation been lost, but what about making introductions? I mean, hey, I’m standing here, could you introduce me?
Thank goodness on Mt. Oly we need no introductions.
PJ on 13 Oct 2008 at 4:34 pm #
Seriously, Claudia? On your nose? That would cure me!
Janae on 13 Oct 2008 at 4:36 pm #
This drives me completely nuts, and I have no idea why people think it’s okay - touching my hair. I get that people love my hair. I love my hair. It’s long, curly, thick red hair naturally. There’s not much to hate about it. Tell me you like/love my hair. Just don’t touch it!!! I would never touch someone’s hair.
I HATE it when people chew gum or food with their mouths open; talk with food in their mouths. GAG!! I don’t wanna see or hear it!!
Suzanne Enoch on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:02 pm #
Well, being a movie buff, I have to say that I find people who bring food in plastic wrappers and people who chew and pop gum in the theater VERY ANNOYING. There’s nothing like watching a tense shoot-out and hearing “crinkle crackle crinkle” right behind you to spoil the mood. Put your gummy bears in a d*****d baggie, for cryin’ out loud! And don’t cry out loud! *g*
Deb Marlowe on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:03 pm #
LOL about the gum on your nose, Claudia.
IMO, teachers need rulers today. Or paddles hanging on the wall like they had in my day. It was a big deal when someone got paddled and the rest of were always as good as gold afterwards. Not that happened too often.
Hmmm, I can’t stand people who are negative all the time. That’s my biggest peeve. It just breeds and breeds.
Ladytink_534 on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:04 pm #
Oh my! Well I can honestly say I’ve never seen a teacher hit a student before!!! Knuckle cracking doesn’t bother me but all of the above do… oh and biting fingernails do too. The number one thing that bugs me is rudeness though.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:04 pm #
Yup, PJ, on the nose. A wet glob of chewed gum stuck on the tip of the nose. It cured most kids of chewing gum in class.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:05 pm #
Janae, I don’t like it when people touch my hair either. I did put some effort into it, you know? Why are you messing it up?
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:07 pm #
Oh, Suzanne, I am with you on that! I like to immerse myself in a movie. Watching Luke Skywalker climb into his star fighter, the sound of crackling plastic, “Get out, Luke! The wing’s going to fall off!”
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:09 pm #
I can’t STAND knuckle cracking. Naturally, DH does this as some sort of amateur sport.
Why do people do that to their nice fingers? Why crunch them together until they literally crack with the strain?
Judy F on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:20 pm #
I know Claudia, recently at my dads care center a new nurse to me was talking to me sister. I introduced myself, my sister was oh I should have done that. yup.
My sister cracks her fingers, it just goes right up my spin.
I hate when people leave messages at work and don’t spell their last name esp if its not a common name.
Janae on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:43 pm #
IDK how I could have forgotten slurping soup or milk - whatever liquid. Dh does this when he eats cereal. I cannot be in the same room when he’s eating cereal.
evlqn on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:50 pm #
Janae, give him his cereal with yogurt instead of milk. It tastes better and doesn’t get soggy and no slurp!
People who rub a pregnant woman’s belly. Do they think she’s a wishing troll??
Don’t share horror stories of childbirth with a first time mother; that’s what aunts and other family members are for.
ladydawgfan on 13 Oct 2008 at 5:56 pm #
Things that bug / disgust me:
Spitting in public (should still be laws against this!)
People who can’t figure out how to flush a toilet
Gum chewers who have to pop their gum (MOOOOOOOO!)
Guys who wear their pants so low that their boxers show (where is that staple gun anyway?)
Cell phone yellers who think only THEIR conversation is the important one in the room, even if it is one sided.
People who blow their noses at the dinner table (I’m trying to EAT here, dammit!!)
Ladies who hose themselves down in their perfume (is it REALLY necessary to marinate??)
Smokers who litter the ground with butts (it’s bad enough you pollute the air, pick up your trash!!)
Margaret on 13 Oct 2008 at 6:44 pm #
Claudia, I didn’t see that anyone told you what “baby daddy” means. If the person spoke English as she is writ, they would say “He’s my baby’s daddy.” Or father. They are too lazy to say the ’s.
Some of you say you hate the pants falling off the butt thing. Around here the teens wear what my daughter calls dresses. Huge, huge WHITE t-shirts that hang to their knees. I can’t imagine where they get the Baby Huey size, but they do.
They look stupid.
The only good thing about them is they cover up the falling down pants.
I’m trying really hard to not remember how we used to dress back in the 50’s. Duck tails for the guys? 5 stiffly starched crinolines under your double circle skirt? The one with the poodle on it. Triple rolled thick cotton socks with your saddle oxfords? Ah yes. We were the height of chic.
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 7:49 pm #
Thanks for the explanation, Margaret. I wondered if that was it, but couldn’t quite imagine that < 's> would be too much work to pronounce. *g*
Eviqn, I couldn’t *bear* it when people touched my pregnant belly. It was so intrusive! It’s my belly, people, not my arm!
Wow. Look at my loooong list. I’m thinking I might be high maintenance.
evlqn on 13 Oct 2008 at 8:20 pm #
Not high maintenance Claudia, you merely have standards that must be adhered to.
Louisa Cornell on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:06 pm #
I cannot STAND the sound of shuffling feet! If you cannot wear flip flops and pick up your feet DON’T WEAR THEM!! And look in a mirror before you go out in public! I don’t want to see your thong, underarms, the sides of your boobs, top of your boobs or anything else that looks like a couple of pigs trying to escape a sack! Just because they make it in your size does NOT mean you need to wear it.
I hate people who mumble or try to copy the speech patterns of some mutant version of the English language! And for God’s sake when you are trying to give me your cake order HANG UP THE CELL PHONE!! My time is a valuable as yours. I should not have to stand around and listen to you spill your life all over Wal-Mart and have you swear to my boss I am rude for walking away until you hang up!
I was raised by a Native American Southern Belle and a Welsh/English career military man. Good manners / civility mean something to me. It is RUDE to spit in public or to chew gum or to curse iin public!
Claudia Dain on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:11 pm #
Louisa, I think you covered it all.
Goddesses, we have our list. It’s comprehensive, but more, it’s ACCURATE and TRUE. World, we insist you comply. Or else. The goddesses have spoken.
Karen Hawkins on 13 Oct 2008 at 9:49 pm #
Amen, Claudia. Amen.
Aspen on 13 Oct 2008 at 10:24 pm #
People who don’t return their store carts! Especialy when the return lane is right THERE! I hate having to drive past a perfectly good parking space because of a cluster of carts.
People who leave popcorn buckets at their seats at the movies. Take your trash and dump it in that big trash can on the way out. My friend is guily of leaving all her trash behind. Which leads me to litter bugs. Trash belongs in a trash can.