Pet Peeves

Turn Signals. I am astounded how many drivers fail to use their automobile turn signals, and if they do, it is not much in advance, if at all. A great invention wasted.

Litter Bugs. Remember years ago when the whole country participated in a national anti-liter campaign? It worked, for awhile. We live on a major street and are constantly picking up someone else’s garbage. Beaches, highways, shopping malls, yards are hardly immune.

Cell Phones. Now, I have nothing against cell phones per se. But the ubiquitous addiction to them, in concert halls, quiet zones and particularly while driving, minding the kids, checking the map while talking on the phone . . . Quite an invention.

Spam. I’ve never been really fond of canned meat but here I mean computerized spam. What an invasion of privacy to say nothing about the dubious content of much of it. In spite of protective devices, it proliferates, both numerically as well as with audacity.

Gratuities. Once upon a time, tips were considered favors given for good service or service beyond the call of duty. Now it’s a given, regardless of service. My senior moment often emerges when it is time to tip: How much? Normal service? Exceptional service? Terrible service? Who really is really eligible? When both hands are beckoning, I . . . Never mind.

Critics. You’ve heard this before. Is a critic not a critic unless he or she evaluates negatively? Maybe. But if critics are only negative, seldom finding something praiseworthy, I object. It is so easy apparently to kick someone in the britches than pat them on the back.

Fads. Some wag once said a sucker is born every minute. It is a pity when a fleeting moment obscures, damages or replaces a tested, proven idea, product or procedure.

Noise. When noise is substituted for music or a message, we all lose. I remember the tongue-in-cheek admonition for public speakers: When your point is weak, raise your voice. No need to comment on raised decibels for commercials or parents who scream at their kids.

Commercials. TV and radio commercials are akin to spam. They are often uninvited guests who invade our territory. Of course, they are necessary since a better way doesn’t exist. Even so, our senior moment may not be as much our annoyance as it mitigates against our vulnerable grandkids who really are bombarded and worse, exploited.

Remotes. Couch potatoes may argue with me, but I am not against remotes, I am simply apologetic that I can’t program them like my grandkids can. No, I am not jealous, simply realistic. There are so many objects nowadays that we can benefit from if only we could figure it out. Often the problem is in the instructions, written by geeks, not ordinary humans. This too goes for those pesky do-it-yourself kits as we try to decipher the instructions.