Pet Peeves - Annoyance or Judgment? * Spotlight My Health

Are pet peeves – annoyance or judgment? Or—maybe, both. The definition of pet peeve is; something that a person finds especially annoying. Is that really all there is to a “pet peeve”?

According to this definition, the pet peeve is all up to the annoyed person. But what about the person doing the annoyance? What does it mean for them? Although, I suspect this person probably isn’t even aware they are annoying anyone. (I’m trying to give the benefit of the doubt) So, then, I have to ask; is that just an excuse?

Besides, we’ve all talked about or read about pet peeves, so most of us are aware of them. So how can you continue doing those things that you know annoy people. That’s the part I don’t get, even though I tell myself these pet peevers must not realize what they are doing.

I asked several of my friends what their pet peeves were and even though many had the same answers, as the discussion went on some different thoughts came up.

ANNOYANCE OR JUDGMENT?

Ya know when I started to write this post, I intended to write about pet peeves for something a little lighter than my usual post. Then I saw the saying above and decided to start there.

I love and totally agree with the first part of the quote as I’m sure most everyone I know does. The part that made me stop and think is the second part. It made me realize that the pet peeves I was going to write about may actually be judgements. Judging people on something they are doing that annoys us. Me included.

Pet Peeves – Annoyance or Judgment?

I have never thought of a pet peeve in that frame of mind (annoyance or judgment). I just think of them as something another person does that annoys those around them. And some of the things on the pet peeve list I’ve come up with really do annoy.

But taking that thought a bit further, I’m thinking that when someone else is annoying me, I’m actually judging. And I’m going to have to freely admit it. I’ve never thought of annoyance, as me really judging someone. That when someone cuts me off in traffic and I get angry and say a few choice words, I’m actually judging.

More Pet Peeves - Annoyance or Judgment?

WHICH IS WORSE?

The really bad part is I will continue doing so as I really can’t get away from people that annoy, as they are almost always around. For instance, do you know someone that eats with their mouth open and it drives you crazy, or someone that is constantly sniffling instead of blowing their nose. Annoying for sure, so there I would go judging again.

Then, on the other hand, what about the person doing the annoying? How can they not be aware of what they are doing and stop? As I said earlier it feels like total disrespect to me. So, we have judgment on one side and disrespect on the other.

So, which is worse? Those that do things in public proving they haven’t taken into consideration the people around them. Or me that becomes annoyed.

Annoyed because someone is talking so loud on their cell phone while in a public space like a restaurant or the subway or theater. I have to ask—why would someone think that everyone wants to hear your phone conversation. Or someone that plays their car music so loud, that I can not only hear it in my car with my windows up, but feel it. Trust me—we DON’T!!

Why would someone do that—are they that totally oblivious of their behavior or they just don’t care enough about others. I have to ask what their Mama taught them. Did she happen to mention respect for others, and they have chosen to ignore what their Mama taught.

READ: My post on budgeting–might help take a load off your mind.

LACK OF RESPECT? (Pet Peeves – Annoyance or Judgment?)

Because to me that is what is happening. Lack of respect for those around you and your Mom. I think that is why I get so annoyed. Judgment or not, I can’t handle the disrespect for others.

And being human, I doubt I’ll stop being annoyed when someone else is doing something perceive as disrespecting my space. I just know myself. I may try not to be annoyed, but, no promises. I try not to be judgmental, but it’s not something I was thinking about when someone is doing one of my pet peeves.

End of Pet Peeves List - Pet Peeves - Annoyance or Judgment?

BITE MY TONGUE

So, what do you think? Is it a sign of disrespect for others, or is it all on those of us, around this person, that need to try and not judge? Why not be about both sides being more aware of what we are doing or thinking.

How does someone stop from doing this type of judging? There will always be someone around that will do something that could annoy.

So, I guess, I’ll just have to do my best not to shout out to the person cutting me off in traffic or bite my tongue when I can hear your whole phone conversation when I don’t really want to hear it.