Wednesday’s What’s Worse?
August 27, 2008
Filed under Distractions
Yeah, it’s petty. Yeah, it’s negative. But heck – we all love to gripe about stuff. And I find plenty to gripe about in my normal life and now that I’ve been sick for going on eleven days, I’m in a particularly negative mood…
So once again, I thought I’d share a couple of my pet peeves and get your thoughts on which (if either) you find worse. So, what’s worse?
- plastic coffee lids that seem tailor-made to dribbling coffee onto your shirt or pants?
- salespeople and cashiers who put the notes in your hand first THEN the coin; or
- getting a phone call right in the middle of your favourite TV show?
[Can I add another one just for me? That moment when the phone HAS rung in the middle of dinner or that favourite TV show, you ask your wife to leave it, she answers it then says "It's for you". . . Ok, ok, I'll take it up with her...]
Hands-down the coffee lids. The only times I drink coffee in a cup that requires a lid are when I am I am dressed up and in the middle of a meeting or I am dressed up and I’m in the car on the way to a meeting.
If I’m in the privacy of my own home and have access to changes of clothes and washing machines and all the other good stuff, it doesn’t happen. People might say it’s because at home I drink out of a coffee mug and there is no lid with which to get the dribble, but I know the truth. It doesn’t happen because the opportunity to humiliate me just isn’t there.
Hmm, the phone call at inappropriate times does it for me!
Hate that – worse, when you say “I’m right in the middle of putting the kids to bed” or you can clearly hear them throwing a massive tanty in the background and the person on the other end says “It’ll only take 5 minutes.”
Yeah? And are you gonna then come to my house and deal with the kids? I don’t think so.
The coin in second, that one doesn’t bother me. It stops the notes from falling off or blowing away
And I must just know how to drink coffee
The phone call. I actually refuse to answer the phone when watching my fav tv shows and get my hubby to answer. He knows to tell them that I’m watching my tv show and that I’m not available.
He’s well trained after all these years 
MC, I don’t think Jonathan and I have drinking disabilities. I think it’s the way they make the cups. It’s a conspiracy as he suggests…
Nicely done, Jo. I’m still a fan of NOT ANSWERING THE DAMN PHONE AT ALL!! I have never understood the compulsion to do it.
Thanks for your responses guys…
Yes, the conspiracy theory works, but I’d also argue its the good suit he’s wearing!
He’s just asking for trouble in that situation. If it wasn’t a coffee cup lid, it would be something else – all Conspiracy Theory related of course!
And with you on the NOT ANSWERING PHONE AT ALL – or sending the not-quite-up-to-answering-the-phone youngest child of the house to answer it. That’s always good for a laugh
Yes, I have used that one with call centres.
Indian voice: “Hello, sir. Are you the home owner?”
Five year old squeaky Aussie voice: “I got a noo Action Man today.”
Indian Voice: “… I’m sorry sir? Are you the home owner, sir?”
Five Year Old Aussie: “… you talk funny.”
[click.]
It probably is the suit. Same thing happens with soda. At home, you can shake a can, throw it down the stairs, use it as a baseball, and then open it and it won’t so much as fizz.
Wear a suit and you could cradle it like a baby and the moment you open it, you get a carbonated explosion.
Oh… one exception to the at home rule. Doesn’t matter where you are in the house. If you have carpet less than a month old, the cola will find its way onto it.
I have a problem with “travel mugs.” I manage to dribble hot coffee on me. I’ve gone through a half-dozen so-called “drip less” mugs. I have a theory that these things are only sealed while the coffee is scorching hot. Once luke-warm to cool, it’s a sieve.
Regarding the phone, I prefer to let the answering machine pickup. But every time the phone rings the kids race to it and I have to argue with them to not answer so I don’t get stuck talking to someone I don’t want to.
Regarding phone solicitors, try turning the tables and selling them something instead while you’re on the phone with them. Or promote your blog/podcast.
I like your thinking Roland. I did try to convert a telemarketer into a coaching client once. I didn’t get a client but I did end the call amicably. Worth revisiting that idea, thanks!
Jonathan, I’ll add freshly painted walls to your comment about carpet.