Usually, I’m a patient person. But, there are certain people who annoy me more than a little. The good thing is that I have honed my politeness skills to hide my annoyance behind a benign smile with a head nod to give the impression that I’m still listening. I’ve perfected the dramatic eye-roll so it occurs only in my imagination without any outside visibility. The only drawback is the fact that I’m sure I fall into an annoying category somewhere that isn’t mentioned here.
I know a young woman who talks incessantly about herself. When she enters the room, it becomes her own personal ‘all-about-me’ party. Everyone knows exactly how she feels about everything, what her day consists of, and how wonderful and perfect she is. She is exhausting to be around because she sucks the oxygen out of the room. She is incredibly self-centered and there is very little uplifting, caring, or giving about her. She annoys me to no end, but I have to do that smile thing, the gratuitous nod, and I’m always praying that thought bubbles do not pop out above my head.
Then there is the hyper-dramatic guy who turns every tiny thing into a major S*%$ storm. If things are too quiet, he can turn up the volume by blowing an issue totally out of proportion and exaggerate things behind someone’s back, and then sit and smile smugly while the drama plays out around him. When the fingers start pointing back to him, though, he gives that wide-eyed innocent ‘who-me?’ stare.
There is also the couple who, no matter what, have the most expensive things, more horrific experiences, smarter and more talented kids, worse health problems, more successful jobs–well, surely you know someone similar. They are the ones that have to out-do, out-sick, and out-buy everyone else around them. They are annoying, but I feel a little sad for them. They are running in that little hamster wheel, not knowing there is always going to be someone they cannot outdo. It has to be exhausting.
These individuals are valuable in my life because they teach me patience, perseverance, and how to love unconditionally. I have to love them because I’m related to them. It’s working to a small degree. They have survival skills and behavioral issues stemming from personal experience like everyone else, including (and especially) myself. I’m just grateful there is a balance to keep me somewhat sane, because there are many people in my life that do not annoy me. They are uplifting, encouraging, caring, giving, funny, easy to talk to, down to earth, genuine, and can actually carry on a two-way conversation with understanding.
Those are the people I like to celebrate, and they are probably the ones that are doing the dramatic eye-roll in their imaginations and hiding their annoyance behind a benign smile and head nod because I’m annoying.
Interesting read, made me stop and think.. That annoyance button. Mine seems to be triggered too easily these days! 🙂 Thanks for the visit, shall be around! All the best for the rest of the challenge.
Thank you!
That was a great start for your challenge. So looking forward to the rest of your posts 😊😁
I like how you turned a potentially negative observation into a positive. We are here to learn from our challenges, for sure! As for me…I think we share the same buttons!! Gail at Making Life An Art
BTW, thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for the feedback! It’s a fun challenge, that’s for sure.
Nice start..
You surely will be annoying some with this post :D…..LOL
Good luck ,will be looking forward for more randomness ahead…
Thank you!
We all know them 🙂 I like to use them as characters in my writing just so I won’t stop smiling while I’m around them and possibly forget I’m vegetarian… Fun read. Good luck with the rest of the challenge.
Thank you. You, too!
I am glad you have lots of ppl around you without annoyance button. I better do not start about mine 🙂
I agree–interacting with difficult personalities teaches us patience, and even compassion. And as you say, maybe we are someone’s annoying person out there. That’s a sobering thought!
Thank you for reading and feedback, I really do appreciate it.
You have a beautiful, fun way with words! I totally get this. I have a button, too! Mine’s green! 😀 I often think of how when I’m talking to people my expression says one thing, but if they could see my face drop when I turn my back to them and walk away they’d probably be befuddled. Sometimes it feels like turning away from people is the only respite from the little charades we have to live out when we’re in their company.
Agreed! Thank you so much for the feedback–I really appreciate it. I really enjoy your blog. I look forward to the challenge. 🙂
Dawn, I laughed reading your post because with each description a face popped into my mind. I think we all know these characters. For me, however, the most annoying people are the whiners. Hard to abide. Lol. Thanks for stopping by the Cow Pasture and welcome to the fence jumpers.
@sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
Thank you for reading and commenting! The whiners get me, too. 🙂
Some powerful insights here. Favorite line: “I have to love them because I’m related to them.” My husband once said to me, “Of course your mother can push your buttons. She’s the one who installed them.” Happy A to Z! Thanks for the visit to my blog.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate the feedback very much. I love the button quote by your husband, too. Brilliant! I’ll drop by again tomorrow for ‘B’.
You’re always welcome! 😀
Great start with your A-to-Z! Not at all annoying, lol.
Cherdo
Cherdo on the Flipside
“Favorite Characters, Favorite Lines” on the A-to-Z Challenge 2016
Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like some people in my life… not that I would mention any names.
@mzbull from
Witt Bits
MZ Bull
I think we all have them. Thanks for stopping by!
I find I get more annoyed with more people the older I get – I wonder if this is this a normal? ;P
I think it’s normal! 🙂
Really liked this post. It made me stop and think about how I might have been a bit annoying myself over the last couple of days.
Surely everyone annoys someone somewhere. None of us are perfect. I’m glad those who annoy you are actually helping you to gain more patience. Very worthwhile! Great post!
I forgot about the people that have to out-do everyone else. Great post. I believe I like your post more than my own!!!!!
No, I think yours provided better coping skills. Either way, great minds think alike! LOL
I can really relate to this post, especially in your description of the woman who talks about herself – I have one exactly like that, that I can’t get rid of! Here’s to amazing family and friends who know how to hold a two-way relationship/conversation 🙂
Great post and beginning to AtoZ. I’ve gone random this year too. I think I’ve had tons of control over my annoyance button till recently. The varnish must be wearing thin.
My mind is too jumbled up to do anything but random. Hope the varnish keeps holding up! Thanks for the feedback.
Interesting post! I can totally relate to this… My annoyance button is pushed by people who are laid back when it comes to important work…!
Ashmita Chatterjee
(chaoticsoulzzz)
Chaoticsoulzzz.wordpress.com
That’s one of mine, too!
What a great read! You really put that together well and had me thinking.
Being an assistant manager, my annoyance button gets pushed on a daily basis! I, too, have perfected that eye-roll. I can totally relate to this post, Sister! I am sure I probably annoy other just as well, but sometimes that’s my job. lol Can’t wait to read more if your blog! Love and hugs!
Thanks so much, Russ! Love you bunches.
The way you describe is greatly funny, but actually enlightening! I wish I could do the nod thing, I’m usually an open book, if you annoy me, you’ll understand that!
Thanks for the great lesson!
Thank you for stopping by and reading! I love the feedback.
That was very interesting and a lot to learn from you, many thanks for it.
Thank you so much!
Nice reminder that as we judge, others are undoubtedly judging us! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really tried a) to judge less and b) to care less how others judge me. I’ve found the latter to be the most difficult!
I agree. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Hi there,, thanks for the follow 🙂 I think we all have friends and relatives who fall into these categories ! I certainly do – and hope that I don’t personally slot into too many of them 🙁 I look forward to getting to know you better.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you better also. I’m sure you don’t fall into any of these categories, and, of course, I don’t either! 🙂