COLUMN: Annoyances abound in public life
November 11, 2003
We all have our pet peeves. Clearly, there comes a time when we need to vent our frustrations toward these indescribably annoying activities. After having to deal with rude people for a large part of my weekend, I feel it necessary to rant a little.
It all began Friday night at Cinemark Movies 12. Being an avid dollar-movie attendee, I was looking forward to a more “high class,” expensive cinema experience, hoping to leave behind the people who choose to talk incessantly throughout the entirety of a given movie. My choice this week was “Matrix Revolutions.”
I had heard some bad reviews, but I wanted to complete the Matrix trilogy experience I had already embarked upon.
A few minutes into the movie, it became apparent I was going to have some trouble. A woman and her young child were guilty of one of the biggest annoyances known to man.
Throughout the movie, the kid would try to predict what was going to be said next. When he was right, the mother would applaud his efforts.
After turning around and glaring a couple of times to no avail, I whispered back to them, “Please, be quiet.” A quick “Sorry” was shot back at me, leaving me dubious as to whether or not it was said with good intentions.
Luckily, not another word was spoken between the two for the remainder of the movie.
I know this seems trivial, but in a world where such inconsiderate actions take place on a daily basis, I have come to wonder why people don’t think about their actions a little more than they do.
I found myself waiting in line with impatient people many times this weekend. I’m sure each of you has encountered such people, so I won’t go into specifics.
I realize it is human nature to become antsy when standing around waiting, especially for food. However, I believe it to be each individual’s duty, as a decent human being, to rise above these human fallacies and remain considerate of others.
It only takes a few vocal people to incite similar feelings among others in these situations — don’t be one of these people.
Many inconsiderate actions happen due to impatience, but there are also many actions that extend beyond the scope of this undesirable trait. For instance, pedestrians and cyclists on campus can be quite the nuisance. I cannot comprehend how people walking across the road can be so inconsiderate to traffic.
A common idea used to defend such people is the fact that pedestrians have the right of way.
I make no argument here, but this idea has been taken to the extreme. Many people make no effort to hurry across the road when they are holding up traffic. For the most part, people slightly raise their head and refuse to make eye contact with any drivers as they make their way, leisurely, to the other side.
This is wrong! Stop being inconsiderate!
Bikers who choose to ride in the streets have every right to do so. However, if you want to be considered in the same league as motor vehicles, follow the street signs! I have yet to see a biker halt at a stop sign and yield to traffic. Not only is this annoying, it is dangerous.
The last action I’d like to touch on is the inappropriate use of cell phones. I’ve read and heard a lot of negative opinions of cell phones so I’d like to set something straight.
Many people demean cell phones because of their users. I have owned and operated a cell phone for three years and have yet to have my phone ring aloud in class, causing an annoying disruption. The root of this problem is people being inconsiderate or forgetful.
I can understand someone forgetting to shut off his or her phone during class, which normally results in embarrassment. Astonishingly, some people take it further than this. Have you ever experienced someone answering their phone during class? Are these people crazy?
Some people don’t realize the negative effects their actions could possibly have on others.
It’s pathetic.
If this rant has only helped me vent some pent up annoyance, then so be it. I do hope some people will read this and make a conscious effort to analyze their actions before and after going through with them.
Be a considerate person. More importantly, be an understanding person when your actions upset someone else.
Inadvertent annoyances occur regularly — just recognize this and rectify the situation.