The Daily Peeve / Rant

I've purchased several small items in the past two weeks and I'm fed up to there with customer-unfriendly packaging, particularly plastic stuff.

The first item was a wireless mouse (love it!) which came in heavy-duty plastic, sealed at all edges, with a convenient hole for fastening on a pegboard hook. Never mind I mail-ordered it.

The second is some mid-weight cotton socks bought at the supermarket. The socks have those icky little plastic fasteners that hold the socks together tightly enough so that it's difficult to cut the plastic thingie without cutting the socks. Then there's the wee plastic hanger that seems to be useful only for filling up odd corners in the recycle bin. (No, wait - surely there's some artsy-craftsy use for these things. Let me think.)

Two things rub me the wrong way about bad packaging: 1) the assumption that the majority of customers are thieves who will take anything small enough to tuck into pocket or purse; and 2) the utter disregard for the many of us who have pain in our hands and arms.

Since I'm setting the rules for this post ;), only one peeve per day per person is permitted, lest we begin dwelling overmuch on the negative.

Here's mine for today: an import I have been doing for months into the database I "live in" at work has just turned out to not be working the way we thought. Argh.

Kara

Medical costs.

I pulled a muscle yawning.

Speaking of hard to get into packaging. I needed a pair of scissors to get into the packaging for .....the new pair of scissors I bought.

When shopping on the internet, I want to know what shipping/handling charges will be fairly quickly. But way too many sites make you take the time to fill in a long form with your name/address/phone/email before they will let you know how much they will charge to get your purchase to you. I just hate that! So they make me waste valuable time filling in fast jibberish to find out what I want to know... And, yes, sometimes S/H is too expensive to place the order. I guess they think if I've gone that far, I'll click 'buy' anyway. Not so. If I have a choice, I will not buy from someone who makes me jump through those hoops. But sometimes it's necessary. Grr rrr rr

My peeve is that I'm allowed only one peeve for the day.

ha ha kidding.

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Originally posted by Jemima.
The socks have those icky little plastic fasteners that hold the socks together tightly enough so that it's difficult to cut the plastic thingie without cutting the socks.

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Yes, one of my major pet peeves!

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Originally Posted by Float On

Speaking of hard to get into packaging. I needed a pair of scissors to get into the packaging for .....the new pair of scissors I bought.

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Isn't that the truth!!! ROTFLMAO! Not funny, really, but it truly has gotten ridiculous hasn't it!

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Originally posted by Gina.
When shopping on the internet, I want to know what shipping/handling charges will be fairly quickly. But way too many sites make you take the time to fill in a long form with your name/address/phone/email before they will let you know how much they will charge to get your purchase to you. I just hate that! So they make me waste valuable time filling in fast jibberish to find out what I want to know...

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Whenever I come up against this, I opt for manual, i.e. a customer service rep.

Moronic, distracted drivers who refuse to go at least the posted speed limit on a two lane road (where no one else can pass) on a clear day with no obvious road hazards mandating the slower speeds. It's even more annoying when they consistently waver between slow and slower.

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Originally Posted by Float On

Speaking of hard to get into packaging. I needed a pair of scissors to get into the packaging for .....the new pair of scissors I bought.

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Kind of reminds me of a great routine that Lily Tomlin did many years ago....

"And here we are careening recklessly into the next millenium. I don't know about you, but I'm not packed... I feel as though I've been lost and bewildered most of my life. Like the time I bought a wastepaper basket and I carried it home in a paper bag. And when I got home, I put the paper bag in the wastepaper basket."

People who carry only $20 bills and need to pay $2. I was at the theatre today and a theatre patron who knew he was getting a hearing assistive device which costs $2 and gave a $20. At 5 minutes to showtime, there was a lineup of 10 people behind him and the staff had $2 and the right bills in change but not the final $1 to make change. She offered to reimburse him at intermission but he insisted that she find the extra $1 from the box office until those of us who had pre-ordered the device and were waiting to pick them up started grumbling loudly enough for him to hear. Finally he said 'OK, I'll come back".

Keep a few coins handy!

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Originally Posted by Weston

Kind of reminds me of a great routine that Lily Tomlin did many years ago....

"And here we are careening recklessly into the next millenium. I don't know about you, but I'm not packed... I feel as though I've been lost and bewildered most of my life. Like the time I bought a wastepaper basket and I carried it home in a paper bag. And when I got home, I put the paper bag in the wastepaper basket."

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I miss Lily Tomlin! Edith Ann is my role model for being a most excellent cranky old lady.

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Originally Posted by Float On

Speaking of hard to get into packaging. I needed a pair of scissors to get into the packaging for .....the new pair of scissors I bought.

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Good one! >8)

About the $20 bills....in all fairness I have to say that they are the only bills dispensed by the ATMs for most banks. I wish we could get some $5 or $10 bills, but it doesn't seem possible at the ATMs in this area.

People who write checks to pay for purchases in stores, especially grocery stores. Back in the day when I wrote checks for such purchases, I had the check written so I just had to enter the amount when the cashier rang up the sale. Now people don't bother to take their checkbook out of their purses until the sale is rung up. Drives me nuts!

Working for an 80 year old business owner...who should have retired long ago but due to false pride and a life-long super-inflated ego, will not give it up. "He will be dancing on our graves" a direct quote during one of our useless employee meetings.
I got bitched at today for not stacking some fliers correctly and I am fifty years old.

Glo, the day is coming soon when checks will no longer be available to the average person. I wonder what those folks will do then.

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Originally Posted by Glo

People who write checks to pay for purchases in stores, especially grocery stores. Back in the day when I wrote checks for such purchases, I had the check written so I just had to enter the amount when the cashier rang up the sale. Now people don't bother to take their checkbook out of their purses until the sale is rung up. Drives me nuts!

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I'll add people who just won't use email. My response to "I'm not a computer person" is "I'm not a phone person". My phone has been unplugged since I retired because I hate the d@mn things. It is not convenient for me to be interrupted whenever it is convenience for whoever to call. The phone will no doubt become even more loathesome next year when the presidential competition heats up, although I must say I did enjoy hanging up on Bill Clinton a few years back. :~)

People still living in the 70's who throw cigarette butts out the windows of their vehicles! I smoked for years, yet never used to toss my butts out the window. Also, I never got in the habit of throwing my spent butt down onto the sidewalk in the path of others. Took but a second to stop, take one last drag of cigarette, then butt it out on the curb, away from peoples walking space.

Also, change counters at busy checkouts! Grrr!!! Or, what I just happened upon a few weeks back. A lady, directly in front of me at the liquor store, was pulling out every stitch of change she had, slowly, as if she was the only one in the line that day, and after she was satisfied with the result, she proceeded to tell the cashier, "I want to use as much change as possible, while keeping the most dollar bills". At that point, the cashier glanced over at me and rolled his eyes as if to relay to me, "I'm sorry for the wait", so with a friendly smile, I rolled my eyes back at him as if to say, "it's OK". His frustration over the lady was apparent.

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Originally Posted by Mrs-M

People still living in the 70's who throw cigarette butts out the windows of their vehicles! I smoked for years, yet never used to toss my butts out the window. Also, I never got in the habit of throwing my spent butt down onto the sidewalk in the path of others. Took but a second to stop, take one last drag of cigarette, then butt it out on the curb, away from peoples walking space.

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As an add to this - not sure what it's like in other parts of the country, but here in MA, why is it people toss scratch tickets onto the ground, even if they don't toss anything else? They are everywhere.

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Originally Posted by Mrs-M

Also, change counters at busy checkouts! Grrr!!! Or, what I just happened upon a few weeks back. A lady, directly in front of me at the liquor store, was pulling out every stitch of change she had, slowly, as if she was the only one in the line that day, and after she was satisfied with the result, she proceeded to tell the cashier, "I want to use as much change as possible, while keeping the most dollar bills". At that point, the cashier glanced over at me and rolled his eyes as if to relay to me, "I'm sorry for the wait", so with a friendly smile, I rolled my eyes back at him as if to say, "it's OK". His frustration over the lady was apparent.

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Tsk, tsk. That's two peeves in one day. I'll have to think up an appropriate penalty. Ideas anyone? ;)

I'm so sick to death of lawnmower noise I'm hoping for an early winter. October 1st would be good for a snowstorm, I think. >:(

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Originally posted by Creaker.
As an add to this - not sure what it's like in other parts of the country, but here in MA, why is it people toss scratch tickets onto the ground, even if they don't toss anything else? They are everywhere.

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How utterly shameful. I can only imagine that those doing the tossing never think about the ramifications of "what if". "What if everyone did the same"?

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Originally posted by Jemima.
I'll have to think up an appropriate penalty. Ideas anyone?

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I've been thinking about the same thing myself.

P.S. Re: lawnmower noise, I too am tired of it! Can't wait for Mr. Frost to arrive!!!

Dirty disposable diapers at the side of highways/roadways! This one makes me mad! I'm assuming those dirty diapers we see, the ones all rolled up in a ball and sitting on the side (soft-shoulder) of our roadways and highways, are either tossed from open windows of moving vehicles, or simply dropped (deposited) on the ground at time of changing, then left.

But, doubly mad I get when I see a dirty disposable diaper left in a shopping cart, or on the ground of a mall parking lot!!! The epitome of the most inconsiderate, ignorant, asinine thing one can do!

Excellent cases (examples) for the use of, and full return of, the cloth diaper!

Appropriate punishment/penalty related to those caught disposing of disposable diapers unlawfully, a pair of rubber gloves, a poker stick, a large plastic garbage bag, and 40 hours of community service picking up garbage!

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Originally Posted by Mrs-M

Dirty disposable diapers at the side of highways/roadways! This one makes me mad! I'm assuming those dirty diapers we see, the ones all rolled up in a ball and sitting on the side (soft-shoulder) of our roadways and highways, are either tossed from open windows of moving vehicles, or simply dropped (deposited) on the ground at time of changing, then left.

But, doubly mad I get when I see a dirty disposable diaper left in a shopping cart, or on the ground of a mall parking lot!!! The epitome of the most inconsiderate, ignorant, asinine thing one can do!

Excellent cases (examples) for the use of, and full return of, the cloth diaper!

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UGH!!! I think the penalty you suggest is way too mild! Repeat offenders should have to do double time with no gloves or stick!!! I've never even liked the idea of child seats in grocery store carts. Staples or Ace Hardware, fine, but not a food store.

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Originally posted by Jemima.
I think the penalty you suggest is way too mild!

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Come to think of it, it is too mild isn't it. Love your "no gloves or stick" idea!!! Re: child-seats and grocery store carts..... it is a rather nasty idea now that I think of it. P.S. The things thread topics do to us and our minds! :)

Why, oh why, do I ALWAYS get a cold/sinus issues before a gig!$%^##@!! Drat! Tomorrow night is THE BIG ONE Birthday Bash and my entire family is actually going to be in town and come to my party (my dad, brother and sister have never seen me perform). I woke up this morning with a horrible sinus headache, scratchy throat, drippy nose (same cold I had three weeks ago). I eat a very healthy diet, take a daily multi-vitamin plus exta C, use the neti pot every morning wash my hands a lot, and still.....

SiouzQ. Sending get well wishes your way! P.S. At some point in time today, fill a pot (average sized cooking pot/sauce pan) 3/4 full of water, bring to a boil, then place on a wooden cutting board or hot pad, sit yourself (your face) directly over the steam, and cover your head/pot with a towel to help seal in the steam/moisture. 10 minutes will do.

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Originally Posted by SiouzQ.

Why, oh why, do I ALWAYS get a cold/sinus issues before a gig!$%^##@!! Drat! Tomorrow night is THE BIG ONE Birthday Bash and my entire family is actually going to be in town and come to my party (my dad, brother and sister have never seen me perform). I woke up this morning with a horrible sinus headache, scratchy throat, drippy nose (same cold I had three weeks ago). I eat a very healthy diet, take a daily multi-vitamin plus exta C, use the neti pot every morning wash my hands a lot, and still.....

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I think you might have pollen allergies, which is my peeve du jour. I woke up feeling groggy and dizzy because one side of my head always gets stuffy at night to the point that I have ringing in that ear for hours the next morning. All day long I've been as irritable as can be and as soon as I open the windows I get itchy all over, scalp to ankles. I routinely take Allegra and Mucinex which help, but the ragweed seems especially bad this year.

Believe it or not, spicy hot foods also help because they get your sinuses running even worse and clear out the congestion. My doctor also suggested a saline nasal spray (cheap and available at any drugstore with no prescription) to clean the pollen out of my nasal passages. I squirt it up each nostril once or twice, wait a minute or so, and then blow for all I'm worth. This helps a lot with the irritation that causes sneezing.

Please be careful. I've sometimes had this so bad that I've gotten sinus infections or bronchitis that put me in bed for several days and required an antibiotic to boot. One early summer pollen season I caught walking pneumonia from a coworker who wouldn't stay home and take care of himself.

I survived the gig fine, though there were a few moments when I went for a high note and my voice was right on the edge of cracking! Much fun was had by all and I am now glad to get back to regular life. I've had enough of being in the limelight for awhile!
PS: Mrs. M, I have definitely used the breathing over a pot of steam trick in the past, though I forgot about it this time ~ thanks for the reminder!

SiouzQ. So glad to hear you were feeling well enough to enjoy the event and get through it.

E-mail etiquette: People who send an e-mail to a group using the last e-mail that was sent to everyone - sometimes many weeks ago - but still using the same subject description even though the subject is entirely changed. Example: I got an e-mail from a friend titled "meeting tonight" I'm thinking, Huh, what meeting? turns out she'd just forwarded an old e-mail and never bothered to change the wording in the subject, and then in the body of the e-mail proceeds to discuss something entirely different.
Geez, is it so hard to either re-type a new description in the subject line, or even actually click on 'compose' and type a new message?
Also, if you just sent me an e-mail, don't turn around and dial my number or run over to my desk at work and say, "did you get my e-mail?" If you hit 'send' three minutes ago, give me some time to read it and I'll then I'll answer you - no need to double-check every time.

Nearly two years into a fundraising position, and NOTHING I have tried to do is taking hold. Today, talking about getting sponsorships for our annual event, our young office manager pipes up with "54 percent of all sponsorships are a result of cold calls (not true, except at About.com). We can email, send a letter, and call, so the person has three chances to say yes and not feel like a total ass." Oh, now there's a winning strategy!

I come from many years experience as a development person; I practice the proven and effective discipline of donor-centered fundraising. Build relationships based upon the mission & good work of the organization, and support is a logical next step when asked. Giving someone an "opportunity" not to feel like an ass after being harassed to give to an organization they've never heard of is so freaking stupid! I am ashamed to have my name on the staff list as the Devo Director.

The ED doesn't seem to give a flying fck... Actually, he's conflict avoidant, and a weenie when it comes to fundraising. As G-d is my witness, I am NEVER AGAIN going to be a development director!!! I cannot wait till I raise enough $$ in my half time ED position to leave this stupid Devo job behind.

Some day, when I get the gumption and energy, I will tell you all about my craaaazy, dysfunctional workplace. Suffice it to say I work for an incredibly egotistical, self-centered, prideful, business-owning octogenarian who is showing signs of dementia and has no intention of ever retiring. Today the office manager quit, no warning...well, at least I have the next two days off. I'm afraid of what I'll find on Saturday when I go back in. The workers are restless and angry at him, for a huge variety of reasons.

Oh boy--yellow pages phone books! Just what I wanted!>:(

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

Oh boy--yellow pages phone books! Just what I wanted!>:(

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Oh, no, it isn't that time of year again, is it? I hope this year's delivery person dumps them at the mailboxes at the end of the street like last year. Most of the pile laid there for a month or so until, mercifully, someone put them out for the trash.

Oh, well. At least today is cold and wet so no one is out mowing the yard or remodeling anything.

Why does Windows 7 need to update EVERYTIME I turn on my computer????? Couldn't they get it right the first, or the second, or the third time????

I am thinking maybe there is an Apple in my future.