Bitch 3x Times, or Pet Peeves

Bitch 3x Diaries

by Marci Baun ©2007

Pet Peeves. Everybody has at least one pet peeve no matter how mild-mannered they are.

Have you ever noticed that the very nature of a pet peeve is designed to irritate you? Why is that? Well, if you think about it, you'll realize that a pet peeve is always - at least in my case - some thing someone else does which you have no control over and it annoys the hell out of you. The very reason it bothers you is because you can't control the person and keep them from doing it. And, doesn't that just suck?!!

They also tend to be little things that have the potential to fester until, like a grain of sand in your shoe can cause a blister that will eventually pop, you erupt.

My pet peeves center around what other people do while driving. Yes, I am a Type A driver. When you live in Los Angeles, it's hard not to be. But, I am also a very considerate driver. If I see someone coming up on me from behind, I will move over as soon as I can. Most of the time, you will not find me driving in the lefthand lane, though. Why? Because that is where all of the slow people who do not drive the speed limit are!!! A pet peeve, obviously.

That's only one pet peeve. As I sit here thinking about pet peeves, I suddenly realize how many there are.

One of my best friends hates it when someone smacks their food while eating. Another goes berserk if they see someone throw a cigarette butt out the window of their car. ("That's what ashtrays are for!" she exclaims angrily... and she's right. It's pretty disgusting to see some place littered with cigarette butts.) My boss at work can't stand the smell of fish. Others hate it when they see someone picking their nose. Then, there is the car phone and driving. Don't get my roommate started on that one!!! And, why do people have to put on make-up while driving or search for something when the light turns green? That's definitely pet peeve material. If you aren't going to pay attention to the road, then don't drive! Ah, the constant battle between the sexes over whether the toilet seat should be up or down. Personally, I think both the lid and the seat should be down. This one is definitely a pet peeve for me. One of my nephews left the seat up during a visit. Imagine my reaction in the middle of the night when I found myself sitting in the toilet instead of on the seat!!

If I looked hard enough and asked enough people, I could probably find a pet peeve for nearly every aspect of life. Scary thought, isn't it?

The question then becomes: Do we control our lives or do our pet peeves? It really makes you wonder, doesn't it.

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This article was first printed in Wild Child Publishing in 2000.

Marci Baun is the editor-in-chief of Wild Child Publishing and Freya's Bower. Most days she can be found editing, reviewing, reading, swimming, singing, or playing with her toddler, not necessarily in that order.