Here is What Annoys Me the Most

Pet peeves are annoying behaviors that other people do, and which irritate someone. Pet peeves are particularly irritating because they often tap into our values, preferences, or past experiences. When something bothers us, it can feel like a personal affront, even if it seems trivial to others.

I previously blogged about pet peeves in our everyday lives. They differ in the workplace because more than one person may be involved and/or upset by the annoying comments/behaviors/habits.

Having been in the workplace for over 40 years, I think I’ve seen just about all kinds of annoying behaviors. However, if you have your own “favorites,” please let me know.

Here is my top ten list of pet peeves in reverse order of irritation. I’ve also indicated the ethical value being broken—or at least compromised.

10. Not picking up one’s trash after eating in the common area (irresponsible). 

9. Eating someone else's food marked with their name in the refrigerator (selfish/uncaring).

8. Clicking a pen or other distracting behaviors at a meeting or by a desk shared by others (selfish). 

7. Speaking loudly on the cellphone (oblivious to others; uncaring).

6. Immature jokes told at work (can be discriminatory).

5. Complaining incessantly (overbearing/irresponsible).     

4. Looking at one's cell phone while someone else is talking (rude/disrespectful).

3. Interrupting a speaker (rude/disrespectful).

2. Being late for scheduled meetings (irresponsible).

1. Failing to respond to emails (uncaring/irresponsible).                                            

I could have changed the order and even added more, but, hopefully, my readers will take these annoyances, examine their own behavior in the workplace, and change distracting/offensive behaviors.

Item # 1 warrants more discussion. Obviously, if the sender asks for a response, it would be bad behavior not to provide the information requested or explain otherwise. I realize not everyone is bothered when someone you send an email to doesn’t respond. For me, it is a matter of good etiquette and making sure to tell the sender you have received the email. What I do is send back an email simply with the words “got-it.”

Posted by Steven Mintz, aka Ethics Sage, on December 30, 2024. You can sign up for his newsletter and learn more about his activities at: https://www.stevenmintzethics.com/.