Grrrr . . . It’s Time to Sound Off!
The dictionary defines pet peeve as “a particular or recurring source of irritation.” For me, it’s people with bad cell phone manners (thus, the quiz on page 138). Look, I love my cell phone just as much as the next guy and I can’t imagine life without it. But sometimes I want to imagine others without theirs. Especially the guy last week who was on my plane and carried on a loud conversation with someone about his kidney stone. Please, I didn’t want to know that—can’t it wait until he’s in a more private location? I’m sure I speak for the person on the receiving end when I say, “Spare us.”
Or maybe I started to crack when I entered the ladies restroom to find yet again someone chatting on her phone. I don’t care how important the matter is—please don’t call me if there are toilets flushing in the background and a woman in the next stall asking two-year-old little Johnny if he made a “poo in the potty.” Bad idea.
Or maybe it is carrying on a conversation with someone only to have the person take the call or check a text message when his or her phone vibrates. If it’s an emergency, that’s understandable, but most are unnecessary distractions that can wait until the conversation has ended. The next time it happens, I just may walk away and dial their cell phone number, since that seems to be the best way to get their undivided attention.
So, what about you? Do you have a pet peeve? We asked that question in our survey and now, it’s your turn to sound off!
When guys wear their pants so they sag and I can see their boxers. It makes me want to hand them a belt!
— Alicia, age 16
When people talk during a movie!
— Hailey, age 13
My biggest pet peeve is skinny girls talking about how “fat” they are. It just shows a lack of confidence on their part.
— Laura, age 17
When people stick gum under the desks at school.
— Ashley, age 12
A mark left on a whiteboard when people are erasing it.
— Haley, age 12
When people drive about 10 mph below the speed limit.
— Rebecca, age 17
I can’t stand when people get right beside me and/or look over my shoulder and/or listen in while I’m doing something.
— Meagan, age 14
When people chew gum and you can hear them chewing it and then they make these really loud bubbles. It’s horrible!
— Elizabeth, age 16
When you’re talking to someone and their cell phone rings and they act like you’re not even there.
— Maggie, age 12
WHAT ABOUT YOU???
B&H Publishing Group grants permission to use this excerpt as originally printed in the book Teen Virtue Confidential c. 2007.
To purchase TeenVirtue Confidential, visit http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=0805441921
Comments (45)
When your friends are constantly talking on cell phones or messing around with them when you don't even have one.
Posted by Nikki Lee | May 18, 2007 7:08 PM
Repetitive Noises.
Posted by Laura | May 21, 2007 9:47 PM
-When guys talk about girls(or vice verse) like they are toys on a shelf.
-Lies
-Rap/Hip-hop...
Posted by Lydia | May 26, 2007 4:43 PM
I absolutley cannot stand it when people cuss like it's no big deal. It just shows their lack of vocabulary.
Posted by Emily | May 26, 2007 10:20 PM
When someone is chewing loudly.
Posted by Meagan | May 30, 2007 12:07 AM
when people text or play games on their cell phones during school or a lecture, why, they're probably going to be tested on it later!
Posted by nicole | June 5, 2007 9:37 AM
not only when people cuss, but when their cussing is gramatically incorrect! and i also hate when there is a random mark on the white board that the teacher forgot to erase!
Posted by Hannah | July 5, 2007 11:28 AM
My pet peeves are when people are chewing bubble gum with their mouth open! Its so annoying!!
Posted by Haley | July 13, 2007 5:40 PM
When guys wear baggy pants.
When people act immaturely.
People IMing all the time.
Posted by Catherine | July 26, 2007 10:02 PM
when people use text/IM language, I mean, a little is okay, but...EVERY WORD????
Posted by Maria | July 29, 2007 3:28 AM
When my little brother climbs on me and jumps on my stomach-ugh!
Posted by Emily | July 29, 2007 4:45 PM
When guys talk about perverted things right in front of you. And when your talking about something really important to a friend and they just ignore you or leave all the sudden for no reason!
Posted by Haley | August 21, 2007 5:04 PM
I hate it when guys ride on those tiny street bikes! It just sooo bugs me!
Posted by Brooke | September 12, 2007 12:08 AM
When girls wear tight clothes or if they are wearing short shorts or mini skirts.Also when they wear low cut shirts. I don't need to see all that and neither do guys.
Posted by KayCee | September 22, 2007 4:37 PM
When people chew with their mouths open and when people are late....if you have a set time, show up then.....if you know your not going to make it just call!
Posted by Britt | September 25, 2007 9:53 AM
I hate when people act lie they know everything
I don't like when people my age tell me what to do
i hate when my friends invite me to a party and thier friends make fun of me and the worst is when girls act like all flirty in front of all the guys in school
Posted by Amanda | October 4, 2007 3:19 PM
my pet peeve would have to be when people are late. they think its only right to be late cuz people aren't expecting you. but if you were l8 to your job you'd prbly be fired
Posted by Brookie | October 5, 2007 9:46 PM
My pet peeves are:
~people using God's name disrespectfully
~People constantly using double negatives
~When people mock me and act like I can't hear them
Posted by Jasmine | October 16, 2007 5:31 PM
people popping thier knuckles/neck/back
cussing
people who flirt all the time
people who don't seem to know how to be serious
people who are always serious
pervs
Posted by J | October 30, 2007 7:27 PM
Ugh I cant stand when I can hear people chewing or swallowing- food, gum, drinks, spit, anything like that freaks me out. I just hate mouth sounds, I guess.
Posted by Morgan | March 28, 2008 9:41 PM
--When people have bad grammar, when either speaking or writing.
--When you are talking to a friend or someone and [let's say you have an injury of some sort] they immediately have to say something to battle what you are saying [like they are injured, too] and they always make it seem like their injury/problem is worse than yours; like it always has to be about them!
--When people verbally bash the guy you like, telling you that you shouldn't like him, when they barely know anything besides his name.
--When people assume that others have not regretted their bad decisions and always remember that bad choice, instead of accepting them or even thinking that they might have changed.
--Tapping noises.
--Ignorant people.
--Chewing noises.
Posted by Sarah | May 31, 2008 2:48 PM
i think a big pet peeve for me is when girls say they are christians, here the modesty talk (in a good way) and still dress horribbly. Low shirts, bikkini's, tight jeans, short shorts. It's just not attractive. If you wouldn't want your grandpa (or an old man) looking down your shirt or imagining the exsact shape of your butt (against his will) then please wear clothes that fit. I know that it's hard and i struggle with it everyday. but when i'm tempted to wear that cami that slips a low i think about the example i'm setting for me christian friends and nonchristians. God wants us to dress modestly to honor him and NOT cause our brothers in christ to stumble in their faith. so please, do Me, God, and brothers a favor and put on clothes that fit
Posted by liz | June 21, 2008 3:16 PM
When people smack their lips while chewing, and cuss and talk about sex like it was the weather.
Posted by Laura | June 28, 2008 1:02 PM
Whae people dont believe in God and make fun of me for believing in him. I mean he DID create us!!!!!! I feel like saying Get A Life!!!!
Posted by Anonymous | July 1, 2008 4:38 PM
1.When people make too big of a space and you can NOT read it cause it is too far away.
2.If someone has a drink and slurps it down.It is soooo anoying!
3.Girls too young to act all whatever and mean!!!that happens to me!!!!!!!!!
4.Like when people talk with too many likes.
Posted by Jessica | July 3, 2008 8:25 AM
I CAN'T STAND when people smoke like around the mall and stuff it makes me cough!!
Posted by Kat | July 3, 2008 7:36 PM
Immodesty, flirting, when normal sized girls think they are fat, smacking/chewing noises, when girls have boyfriends at way too young of an age (I'm 15 and I've never had one!), when people complain about their parents' rules, expensive shoes! lOl.
Posted by Nikki | July 4, 2008 2:10 PM
i would soooo rather be playin sports that have 2 sit there an see a dude show his butt off.ewww!
Posted by juli | July 30, 2008 11:11 AM
My pet peeve is my sister with her bubble gum. She smacks it and snaps it SO loudly I can't think straight!
Posted by Bailey | July 31, 2008 11:07 AM
When people chew with their mouths open and when they smack when they are eating like they never a meal a day in their lives. I can't stand that.
Posted by Chanty | September 23, 2008 12:59 PM
My pet peeves are when people:
-Talk about me and act like I can't EVEN HEAR them, I mean C'mon Am IN THE SAME ROOM AS YOU AND GOD GAVE EVERYBODY EARS AND EYES.
-My too IS CUSSING, its just not nice to say.
Posted by cherish | October 18, 2008 2:47 PM
-when someone over exaggerates about an injury like they just got runned over by an 18 wheeler.
-when guys treat me as if i'm one of them. ex) throwing spitballs at me. punching me in the arm. farting in front of me.
-when people don't capitalize "God"
Posted by siam | November 24, 2008 11:46 AM
I hate it when ppl don't get somthing most of the time, but when they do get it, insted of helping other ppl out, they call them dumb.
Posted by Aly | November 30, 2008 10:12 PM
-cussing in every sentence..seriously, listen to yourself! it doesnt even make sense!!
-"sour candy" that isn't sour..i know, it sounds weird but it just bugs me.
-ppl who always complain about something
-ppl that always have to be running around doing something. seriously, just sit down for a second!
-girls who wear really immodest clothing
-guys that talk perversely in front of me. it disgusts me.
Posted by Jenna | January 4, 2009 11:11 PM
Mym biggest pet peeve is when ever I see a really cute guy, my friends or sister say ohh, and then they go and tell him! I hate that! also, when the teacher write on the board with chalk, or when someone make that irratating screech sound!!!
Posted by Trachina | January 20, 2009 1:36 PM
you guys have such interesting comments you remind me of myself. i dislike it when people draw attention to themselves almost constantly, flirt with others a lot, call themselves fat when their not, cuss carelessly in front of others and misuse God's name, cheating on their bf or gf, gossiping all the time, being hypocrits (did i spell that right), chewing gum-you all sound like a bunch of cows, and being disrespectful towards others. The list goes on:( huh
Posted by isabel | March 3, 2009 7:59 PM
I hate it when people don't know the easiest words. I'm above average but my friends are a little ignorant and brain dead. Me and my friend Aaron were talking about what writing prompt we are supposed to get for a test. And my friend didn't know what the word narrative meant( she didn't know how to spell it either) Anyways her excuse was I don't pay attention in class like that is an excuse for not knowing what it meant we are in the 7th grade come on got to do better than that--12 years old
Posted by Lucy | March 3, 2009 8:14 PM
My worst pet peeves all about my mother.
1. When she lingers over my shoulder when I'm doing something completely innocent on the computer like puting up art on my favorite website ( she doesn't like the name ) Well I don't care for it but it's not like the name infects my eyes. I made sure to put the right age so I couldn't see anyhthing I'm not supposed to see.
2. When out of complete blue she starts asking questions about homework, school, or boys. Super annyoing, we don't share a relationship where we talk about boys. Mostly because I don't like boys at the time and boys don't like me. Example: I'm taking pictures with my friends and starts asking my friends If I have homework and the next thing you know she is giving me a lecture about grades before fun. UUUUUUUUgh my mom is my pet peeve
Posted by Anonymous | March 12, 2009 11:11 PM
When people act sweet and innocent in front of adults, but are the complete opposite when they leave. AKA-- two faced people.
Posted by Anonymous | May 17, 2009 6:07 PM
When people use the Lord's name in vain especially with cuss words. Mouth noises (food chewing, disgurting noises etc),cursing like crazy. Boys who sag their pants expecially when the pants are no longer near their waist line and you completely see their boxers. ewwwww. when boys treat you like one of them and have no repect for you or other girls. When people act one way (funny, playing around etc.) and then the next minute they are serious and when you are in a good mood to play around they want to all of a sudden act all serious. the list goes on and on. lol
Posted by ~N~ | May 25, 2009 5:12 PM
My pet peeves are:
1. When guys don't express their feelings after acting like they are going to.
2. When people are dating for about 2 or 3 days and are already acting like they are in love.
3. When uber skinny girls complain about being 'fat'.
4. People who have something negative to say in EVERY situation.
Posted by Lizzy | June 2, 2009 8:15 PM
when my cousin uses me as a bribe for his friends -- i feel like a toy that anyone can do anything with, or talk about me in an innapropriate way.... and when guys call me hot, -- one of the reasons i love my boyfriend so much is that he never calls me sexy or hot -- in his eyes im beautiful and gorgerous, even on my bad hair hays :}
Posted by Bailey | July 8, 2009 10:09 AM
people that stinks;unsanitary
sagging
guys talking about perverted stuff in front of me
worst its about me;them imagining perverted things i would do!
PIGS!
people who thinks they know everything about me-_-snob;people who thinks they're better than anyone else
Posted by celine | August 14, 2009 2:52 AM
1)ppl who think they're better than every1 else
2) ppl w/ rly bad manners. my least favorite is when ppl dont put mrs. ms. or mr. in front of an adult/teachers name. i mean if they say its okay 2 call them by there 1st name, maybe, but otherwise..no.
3) ppl who are always correcting ppl.
4) when some1s mad @ me or is annoyed w/ sumthing i do and they dont tell me and hold it in until they're RLY mad
5) anytime ppl cuss and ppl think its okay or not bad.
5) when ppl cuss and they dont know what they're saying they're just being "cool"
6) popular girls....not the kind that is popular because they have friends....the type that are because they have the "right" type of clothes makeup boys
Posted by Grace | September 25, 2009 6:12 PM
I cant stand it when ppl grind there teeth and when ppl CUSS and ppl that smoke and dip and any type of tabacco IT NASTY STUFF!!!!!!!!!={
Posted by ruth 5 | October 9, 2009 9:14 PM