Let's be honest. None of us is a Saint. There must be things in life which irritate us beyond words and make us less than Saints.
For me, it is people talking whilst watching TV. I could be sitting there quietly watching something serious about the downturn in the economy when someone would say, "we used to have a car like this one on TV!" Now I tell you, how has this piece of information enhanced my life or improved my understanding of what is a complex subject being explained so clearly and succinctly by this TV expert?
It is even worse when the sideline comment is in the form of a question. For example the TV program would mention Birmingham and someone would say, "Did you know that at university I had a friend from Birmingham? Julie ... do you remember her?"
Now do you think I care whether Julie, whoever she is or was, came from Birmingham or from anywhere else? Whilst trying politely to answer the inane question I have missed the next bit about who scored at football and how.
In order to stop such interruptions whilst TV viewing is in progress I have put forward some modest suggestions to be adhered to by one and all:
Whilst the TV is on there will be no talking or interruptions whatsoever. If you have something to say, or a question to ask, just write it down on a piece of paper and we will discuss it later at an appropriate time prearranged for this specific purpose.
TV viewing is no different to being in the cinema. You would not expect people to discuss their friend from Birmingham at the cinema and disturb everyone else; so why do it when the TV is on? People usually keep quiet at the cinema. That is unless they are sitting in the back row at the movies. Since we do not have a back row at home we will remain quiet when the TV is on.
Should anyone wish to consume potato chips, biscuits, corn flakes or anything else of a crunchy nature they will do so quietly by placing the potato chip in their mouth and softening it until fully moist and then swallowing it.
Needless to say, before I could continue with my list of perfectly reasonable suggestions they were met with the silent treatment. Dear Lord ... did I get the silent treatment; which lasted for an eternity and a half.
I will never understand women.
So tell us, what does irritate you in life? And what suggestions have you put forward to remedy the situation?
