THE BUG LIST
Here it is: the bug list. This is a comprehensive list of 20 things that will drive me insane.
1. People who don't know the words to songs, but sing them anyway, especially in a place where I have no control over the volume and duration of the music, like church.
I know I don't want to hear the old man behind me loudly sing every word wrong, while I remain unable to increase the volume or switch the song. I despise disorder in places where I am unable to help, and I am unable to help because I would be perceived as rude.
2. When people want to whisper in my ear, but their breath is so hot that they're increasing the temperature of my brain matter with every word they speak by one degree Celsius.
I know that the person is attempting to be both discrete and polite, but there's no shame on my behalf or theirs if they just say what they mean out loud. There shouldn't be stigmas around being forthright even when the truth is uncomfortable.
3. Every time I am running late, some person will need me to do something practical for them, like take out the trash, but I have no time to do it.
I know that they don't see it as such a big task to complete, and I have no doubt that I lacked to communicate the necessity of me being early or at least on time to the place I was going. It is really a miscommunication that perpetuates this occurrence.
4. However, when they also need me to do something else that's more tasking, like dropping their kids off at school, I will do it but I am quite irritated at that point.
Once again, I know they didn't intend on being so burdensome to me; some people have more needs than others. I do wish that they could be more empathetic and see that I am an independently functioning person with separate needs and tasks which have equal importance to me.
5. The way that "bros" talk could honestly drive me up a wall. I don't know what's worse the volume at which they feel the need to speak, the ridiculous words that they choose to use, or the awkward physical contact they perpetuate. There is absolutely no reason that I should hear the same exact conversation carried out by completely different people twice in one day.
I don't know why the United States is so far behind in allowing men to have feelings and express their gratefulness for their friends. It is so sad to see them become so adept at the bro culture instead of letting themselves be normal people with emotions and needs.
6. While this may seem like a step down in peevishness and perceived importance, when my home light switches do not all line up after turning all the lights on or off is actually the worst. It is one of my favorite things to see them all lined up.
I think I despise this so much because I love the feeling of seeing something done well, like the electrical and wiring that light switches represent. When they're done poorly, it speaks to the carelessness or plain ignorance of the person who installed them.
7. One of the worst feelings is being awoken by your roommate who is being loud and raucous when they know you're asleep, but they don't care.
For some people, I know that being loud is just part of their nature, and that is okay.
8. To follow impossibly loud people, I would say the impossibly opinionated people who protest around campus are neck-in-neck. To voice one's opinions with no right or preamble is actually the worst. Not only does it make you rude, but also incredibly selfish. Other people have opinions, and they are worth listening to, not trampling.
I know that people have their moments where they need to be heard and feel validated in being a little brusque doing so.
9. The worst thing in the world is an impossibly cold place. I absolutely loathe being cold, especially when I am trying to focus. I am sorry Heavener Hall, but there is nothing cool about having to tuck all your extremities away into layers upon layers of clothing and constantly fidgeting to collect body heat.
I know that the alternative temperature is ridiculously warm places which no one is comfortable in, and I am simply being ungrateful for the privilege of air conditioning.
10. Another unhelpful learning environment is my biology teacher's daily ramble, or as some would say, a lecture. Please, I just need cohesiveness in lectures. I really do not have problem with speed, or elaboration, or topic changes. I just need to not feel like the family dog after an encounter with their sugar-highed toddler.
I know that, for her, this might actually be a lecture style. If I can do nothing else about it, I at least should do more outside of class to supplement my learning.
11. On a similar note, my previous employer's mandatory meetings were also particular infuriating. Not only were they ridiculously long, but by the end, you felt as though you gained absolutely nothing. At least give me some tidbit of information at the end of the meeting so that the entire thing was not a waste.
I know that the meetings are meant to keep everyone up to date with the happenings in the company, and there is some part of me that is grateful for all of us having to suffer through them together.
12. This is a big one for me. One of the most irritating things to me is the body positivity movement. See, it sounds nice in the beginning. Oh, everyone is beautiful, no matter their size! We should just accept all people of all sizes and weights. We should have more plus size only brands!
However, we fail to realize the dangerous game we play with societal views on obesity. Yes, a plus size woman can be beautiful and being bigger should never be a reason to be ostracized, but these should not ever be incentives for someone to stay overweight or obese. If we continue to promote that being plus size can be a normal thing, we keep people who are currently unhealthy on the track to developing lifelong ailments and diseases.
I know that humans do what they wish, and they are the engine by which societal norms are driven. I also know that this movement will die down at some point, and the truth will come out.
13. To attack another societal stigma, people who look down upon and avoid homeless people are my least favorite humans. When people refuse to make eye contact with homeless people, it dehumanizes them. Homeless people are human, too. They have the same problems, and some have faced worse than I ever will have. They are wise in their own right and deserve for their voice to be heard.
I know that homelessness is an abstract topic that is easy to discuss but hard to face. To speak with them makes people deeply uncomfortable as it reminds us the very small amount of misfortune that stands between us and being in the same place.
14. This bug is a substantial drop in importance to most, but to me, people who have dietary restrictions that they ignore are the worst. I can say this because I am one of them. I love food. I am not a foodie, rather I love the uses of food. It brings people together; it is a constant learning experience to make food; and it never fails to bring a smile to someone's face. But, when I cannot enjoy things I love because there is no other option, it is really disheartening.
I know that some foods require ingredients that I simply cannot handle; it takes better self control on my part and increased care for dietary needs on the part of the chef.
15. On the same note, people who dislike foods for arbitrary reasons are so close-minded. I am Indian, and I have met a number of people who dislike Indian food just for the smell or the way it looks. Either they need to try it or stop being so opinionated on it. Foods that are different are not wrong; they are just different.
I know that some people are not ever going to try new or foreign foods to determine if they are something good that they would enjoy. That is also okay.
16. A secret pet peeve of mine is when people refuse to help someone who is ill. I once had an experience where a girl on my volleyball team got really sick after conditioning and just could not stop vomiting, but no one wanted to help her out and make sure she was okay. I decided to just go and help her out. It required very little effort on my part, but it meant the world to her.
I know that sickness makes other people uncomfortable because you risk getting sick, which is understandable. Ignoring other people's problems is not understandable though.
17. Another thing that I simply cannot stand is people who hate conflict. I absolutely hate this. Conflict is necessary ingredient for growth. My roommate is one of these people. Whenever we even begin to approach a stimulating discussion about our different opinions, she shuts down and refuses to speak any more. It is frustrating because I love hearing other's views, and I feel left out if someone does not share theirs.
I know that it is really hard to step up and own what you believe, especially in today's culture. Stepping up for yourself is the hardest thing that many people often never do.
18. Unlike those who hate conflict, people who get mad at your for sharing your opinions after you already listened to theirs are far worse. I meet these kind of people in the Plaza of the Americas. They often represent a specific organization, and when you speak to them you get this lingering feeling that you are being used. They often love to have stimulating conversations as long as you agree with them at the end. It is really frustrating to listen to someone's tirade, and then they ignore your fair points of contention.
I know that people hold onto beliefs with an iron grip, and they are hard to change. It is good that we have our foundations in solid beliefs, but it is worse for you if you refuse to listen to others.
19. Like those who refuse to hear your side of an argument, people who get mad at your for sharing your opinions to whom you were not even speaking are equally as bad. My mother is one of them. She often listens to others' conversations to later intercede and comment on. It is rather rude and often frustrating to overhear as I believe people have the right to think whatever way they please.
I know that my mother probably thinks she is helping these people as much as I believe I am by staying out of the conversation.
20. Finally, this one needs no explanation: terrible children.
I know that parenting styles have become different over the years, and parents are now more out of the house. Electronics and television also have presented added pressure on children to act in certain ways and do certain things. However, this is the only cultural trend that must stop at some point, for all our sakes.
To sum this experience all up, it was difficult to find 20 things because I forget almost immediately afterwards any animosity I had about a frustrating situation. I don't mean to sound naïve, but some things simply aren't worth the trouble. Consequentially, I have had to jot down any minor aggravations and push them to their imaginary limits. One thing that I have learned about myself is that there are some times when I just don't like people, but most of the time I really do love them, bugs and all.
Here it is: the bug list. This is a comprehensive list of 20 things that will drive me insane.
1. People who don't know the words to songs, but sing them anyway, especially in a place where I have no control over the volume and duration of the music, like church.
I know I don't want to hear the old man behind me loudly sing every word wrong, while I remain unable to increase the volume or switch the song. I despise disorder in places where I am unable to help, and I am unable to help because I would be perceived as rude.
2. When people want to whisper in my ear, but their breath is so hot that they're increasing the temperature of my brain matter with every word they speak by one degree Celsius.
I know that the person is attempting to be both discrete and polite, but there's no shame on my behalf or theirs if they just say what they mean out loud. There shouldn't be stigmas around being forthright even when the truth is uncomfortable.
3. Every time I am running late, some person will need me to do something practical for them, like take out the trash, but I have no time to do it.
I know that they don't see it as such a big task to complete, and I have no doubt that I lacked to communicate the necessity of me being early or at least on time to the place I was going. It is really a miscommunication that perpetuates this occurrence.
4. However, when they also need me to do something else that's more tasking, like dropping their kids off at school, I will do it but I am quite irritated at that point.
Once again, I know they didn't intend on being so burdensome to me; some people have more needs than others. I do wish that they could be more empathetic and see that I am an independently functioning person with separate needs and tasks which have equal importance to me.
5. The way that "bros" talk could honestly drive me up a wall. I don't know what's worse the volume at which they feel the need to speak, the ridiculous words that they choose to use, or the awkward physical contact they perpetuate. There is absolutely no reason that I should hear the same exact conversation carried out by completely different people twice in one day.
I don't know why the United States is so far behind in allowing men to have feelings and express their gratefulness for their friends. It is so sad to see them become so adept at the bro culture instead of letting themselves be normal people with emotions and needs.
6. While this may seem like a step down in peevishness and perceived importance, when my home light switches do not all line up after turning all the lights on or off is actually the worst. It is one of my favorite things to see them all lined up.
I think I despise this so much because I love the feeling of seeing something done well, like the electrical and wiring that light switches represent. When they're done poorly, it speaks to the carelessness or plain ignorance of the person who installed them.
7. One of the worst feelings is being awoken by your roommate who is being loud and raucous when they know you're asleep, but they don't care.
For some people, I know that being loud is just part of their nature, and that is okay.
8. To follow impossibly loud people, I would say the impossibly opinionated people who protest around campus are neck-in-neck. To voice one's opinions with no right or preamble is actually the worst. Not only does it make you rude, but also incredibly selfish. Other people have opinions, and they are worth listening to, not trampling.
I know that people have their moments where they need to be heard and feel validated in being a little brusque doing so.
9. The worst thing in the world is an impossibly cold place. I absolutely loathe being cold, especially when I am trying to focus. I am sorry Heavener Hall, but there is nothing cool about having to tuck all your extremities away into layers upon layers of clothing and constantly fidgeting to collect body heat.
I know that the alternative temperature is ridiculously warm places which no one is comfortable in, and I am simply being ungrateful for the privilege of air conditioning.
10. Another unhelpful learning environment is my biology teacher's daily ramble, or as some would say, a lecture. Please, I just need cohesiveness in lectures. I really do not have problem with speed, or elaboration, or topic changes. I just need to not feel like the family dog after an encounter with their sugar-highed toddler.
I know that, for her, this might actually be a lecture style. If I can do nothing else about it, I at least should do more outside of class to supplement my learning.
11. On a similar note, my previous employer's mandatory meetings were also particular infuriating. Not only were they ridiculously long, but by the end, you felt as though you gained absolutely nothing. At least give me some tidbit of information at the end of the meeting so that the entire thing was not a waste.
I know that the meetings are meant to keep everyone up to date with the happenings in the company, and there is some part of me that is grateful for all of us having to suffer through them together.
12. This is a big one for me. One of the most irritating things to me is the body positivity movement. See, it sounds nice in the beginning. Oh, everyone is beautiful, no matter their size! We should just accept all people of all sizes and weights. We should have more plus size only brands!
However, we fail to realize the dangerous game we play with societal views on obesity. Yes, a plus size woman can be beautiful and being bigger should never be a reason to be ostracized, but these should not ever be incentives for someone to stay overweight or obese. If we continue to promote that being plus size can be a normal thing, we keep people who are currently unhealthy on the track to developing lifelong ailments and diseases.
I know that humans do what they wish, and they are the engine by which societal norms are driven. I also know that this movement will die down at some point, and the truth will come out.
13. To attack another societal stigma, people who look down upon and avoid homeless people are my least favorite humans. When people refuse to make eye contact with homeless people, it dehumanizes them. Homeless people are human, too. They have the same problems, and some have faced worse than I ever will have. They are wise in their own right and deserve for their voice to be heard.
I know that homelessness is an abstract topic that is easy to discuss but hard to face. To speak with them makes people deeply uncomfortable as it reminds us the very small amount of misfortune that stands between us and being in the same place.
14. This bug is a substantial drop in importance to most, but to me, people who have dietary restrictions that they ignore are the worst. I can say this because I am one of them. I love food. I am not a foodie, rather I love the uses of food. It brings people together; it is a constant learning experience to make food; and it never fails to bring a smile to someone's face. But, when I cannot enjoy things I love because there is no other option, it is really disheartening.
I know that some foods require ingredients that I simply cannot handle; it takes better self control on my part and increased care for dietary needs on the part of the chef.
15. On the same note, people who dislike foods for arbitrary reasons are so close-minded. I am Indian, and I have met a number of people who dislike Indian food just for the smell or the way it looks. Either they need to try it or stop being so opinionated on it. Foods that are different are not wrong; they are just different.
I know that some people are not ever going to try new or foreign foods to determine if they are something good that they would enjoy. That is also okay.
16. A secret pet peeve of mine is when people refuse to help someone who is ill. I once had an experience where a girl on my volleyball team got really sick after conditioning and just could not stop vomiting, but no one wanted to help her out and make sure she was okay. I decided to just go and help her out. It required very little effort on my part, but it meant the world to her.
I know that sickness makes other people uncomfortable because you risk getting sick, which is understandable. Ignoring other people's problems is not understandable though.
17. Another thing that I simply cannot stand is people who hate conflict. I absolutely hate this. Conflict is necessary ingredient for growth. My roommate is one of these people. Whenever we even begin to approach a stimulating discussion about our different opinions, she shuts down and refuses to speak any more. It is frustrating because I love hearing other's views, and I feel left out if someone does not share theirs.
I know that it is really hard to step up and own what you believe, especially in today's culture. Stepping up for yourself is the hardest thing that many people often never do.
18. Unlike those who hate conflict, people who get mad at your for sharing your opinions after you already listened to theirs are far worse. I meet these kind of people in the Plaza of the Americas. They often represent a specific organization, and when you speak to them you get this lingering feeling that you are being used. They often love to have stimulating conversations as long as you agree with them at the end. It is really frustrating to listen to someone's tirade, and then they ignore your fair points of contention.
I know that people hold onto beliefs with an iron grip, and they are hard to change. It is good that we have our foundations in solid beliefs, but it is worse for you if you refuse to listen to others.
19. Like those who refuse to hear your side of an argument, people who get mad at your for sharing your opinions to whom you were not even speaking are equally as bad. My mother is one of them. She often listens to others' conversations to later intercede and comment on. It is rather rude and often frustrating to overhear as I believe people have the right to think whatever way they please.
I know that my mother probably thinks she is helping these people as much as I believe I am by staying out of the conversation.
20. Finally, this one needs no explanation: terrible children.
I know that parenting styles have become different over the years, and parents are now more out of the house. Electronics and television also have presented added pressure on children to act in certain ways and do certain things. However, this is the only cultural trend that must stop at some point, for all our sakes.
To sum this experience all up, it was difficult to find 20 things because I forget almost immediately afterwards any animosity I had about a frustrating situation. I don't mean to sound naïve, but some things simply aren't worth the trouble. Consequentially, I have had to jot down any minor aggravations and push them to their imaginary limits. One thing that I have learned about myself is that there are some times when I just don't like people, but most of the time I really do love them, bugs and all.
Hi! Good job on the post, I can tell you put a lot of effort into it. When I was doing this assignment, I actually found it easy to find 20 things that bugged me but I do think the ones I wrote about may have been more surface level. I completely agree and get annoyed with some of the ones you wrote about, like people who refuse to acknowledge homeless people and mandatory meetings (the absolute worst). I don't know if I would go as far to say the body positivity movement is something that bugs me. I completely see where you're coming from, because obesity shouldn't be necessarily celebrated if it is affecting someone's health. However, I think the idea of body positivity is really important and a step forward in our society, and people who cannot lose weight and are struggling in a bigger body deserve to feel beautiful regardless.
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