Arrrgh!!!

I've noticed the phenomenon of the Friday Five at several blogs. I'd like to join the band wagon with five things that tick me off!

1. Drivers who can see for a mile that they have to merge into another lane, who speed along the mostly empty to-be-closed lane and then assume you will let them merge in front of you. You earn my five fingered salute minus four, and my grandson's long ago favorite comment......JERK!!!!

2. Sales people who hate their jobs. This applies at every level of service, from the kid at Mickey D's to the women in the toney shops who could care if you shop there. I recently purchased a silk shell to wear at my stepdaughter's wedding. They didn't have one in my size at the location where I was shopping, but they volunteered to see if one was available at another store. They found one, took my card, and gave me a receipt with a "locator number." Well....the shell never came, and a month later I decided to follow up on it. The saleswoman who took my call was indifferent, was having a bad day, and was going to have to ask for help to resolve the issue. She discovered that it had never been sent (DO TELL!!) and tried to palm the problem off on me......by telling me who to call. I stopped her and told her that I wanted HER to resolve the issue. She wasn't a happy camper, but she followed up on it, and the shell came the next day. The only thing that kept me from talking to her supervisor and blasting her out of the water was that I've been known to make a mistake, and I hope someday someone will give me a break when I'm having a bad day. My logic was totally selfish.....I didn't want to feel guilty later. But.....it would have felt good to get even for her general snottiness......at least for a moment.

3. Children who are out of control in public. I suggest you go visit Da Goddess, because she has an EXCELLENT post on this subject on June 11, and I totally agree with her stand. (You might tell her she has gorgeous ta tas, too, but that's another subject.)

DH and I were flying home from Vancouver to Chicago a year ago, and seated behind us were two parents and two young children. They had three seats for four bodies. The little girl was probably two years old, and was forced to sit on her mother's lap because her rotten little brother wouldn't share his seat. That toddler kicked me in the kidneys all the way to Chicago. Her parents KNEW what was going on, and failed to stop her. The flight attendent even spoke with this family, to no avail. The airline should have required that she be in a seat, but her parents made the choice to carry her on their laps. They should have been more responsible. I'm still ticked about this!

4. Current clothing trends for teenagers in school. I swear, if I was a superintendent, I would require uniforms! I'm astounded at what is uncovered, broadcast, and advertised on teenage bodies. I don't see how anyone believes that kids can concentrate in a classroom while they are dressed in the current fashions. I didn't care for the dress code when I was in school, but it would have been less of an issue if we all had to wear uniforms. Besides....as a teacher I wouldn't have to hold my breath waiting to see if the kid walking to the back row was going to loose his pants before he got there!

5. Telemarketers. If I tell you "No thanks, I'm not interested," DON'T ARGUE WITH ME! It's not going to put me in a frame of mind that will do you any good. And.....Don't call me with a recorded message that I HAVE to listen to, so that I can get your number, because if I have to call you to tell you to take my name off your list, I'm not going to be pleasant! Don't be surprised when you reach people who are angry about having their own phone used to waste their time.

Sooooo that's the five for this week. Now that I've gotten the pet peeves out of the way...oh wait....I have one more.....

5 1/2......people who choose to live in the US who choose not to learn to speak English. I wouldn't dream of moving to Afghanistan and then demand that you print all your documents in English for me. If you want to live here....then be a fully participating citizen, and learn the language.

Well....the next Friday Five should be lighter than this one, but it was nice to be able to get this off my chest. Have a great weekend! May you all have sunny and 72!