I know the premise of More Spock is to use logic rather than emotion in analyzing societal issues, but I am human and I have my own pet peeves. Here are four of mine – feel free to share yours.
People who abuse handicapped parking spaces.
Once I was driving my father in his car to run some errands. His vehicle was equipped with a handicapped placard. At one of the stops, I was going to run in and get something for him while he waited in the car. He told me to park in one of the handicapped spots near the door. When I chose to park a couple of rows back, he asked me why I didn’t take advantage of his placard. I replied that I would have if he were getting out, but since he wasn’t, it would be inappropriate for me to park there.
Many people feel that being in possession of the placard justifies the use of the space. Borrowing grandma’s placard is not appropriate, in my opinion. Now, whether building codes that require 30 handicap spots in front of a Home Depot make sense is a different conversation.
Men who wear ball caps in a nice restaurant
I recently went on a date to a nice restaurant. The kind of restaurant with tablecloths, cloth napkins, rimless wine glasses and professional adult servers. There were two men in different parties wearing ball caps during dinner. Each of their wives/girlfriends were dressed up like it was a special event for them and the guys looked like they just woke up from a nap – tee shirts and ball caps? One of my favorite scenes from the Sopranos is one where Tony confronts a young man in just such a situation. I guess I’m old school, but I would feel I was disrespecting both my date and the restaurant by dressing like a slob for a night of fine dining.
People who don’t use turn signals
There are times when turn signals aren’t really needed. At a large intersection with two left turn lanes that are dependent on left turn signals, my turn signal doesn’t really inform anyone of anything and my lack of turn signal doesn’t cause anyone indecision. However, if I’m at a T-intersection and a vehicle approaches from my left, it certainly helps if the driver signals his intent to turn right onto my street. Otherwise I assume he’s going straight and will wait on him to pass before turning either direction. It’s irritating when the driver slows and turns without a signal when I could have been on my way had I known. Turn signals matter when they matter.
People who don’t have a greeting on their voicemail
I often call people who don’t know me as part of my job. These are not unsolicited calls. These people have requested something from me or my organization and I’m reaching out to them at their request. When I get, “You have reached the voicemail box of ‘555-555-5555,'” I am never 100% sure that I’ve reached the correct person. They could have miskeyed their phone number in an email or form, they could have recently changed phone numbers, etc. It only takes seconds to set up a voicemail box and record your name. Unless you’re a drug dealer, please do so.