Now I respect that Tradies are an important industry in our community and are valuable in our workforce. However, from my own personal experience and from the many friends and acquaintances I have, I do not know anyone who has not had the experience of arranging a meeting with a tradie on site and there being the classic “no show”. This can be very frustrating, particularly if you are taking time away from your own work place to meet at a building site and your own residence when some maintenance is required. I do not think this behaviour is restricted to one particular profession, eg. plumber, electrician, painter, as I know this has happened across all trades on different occasions.

I am hoping some of you can identify with the experiences I have had relying on “Google Maps” for directions. Fortunately most of the time if I am driving myself I am familiar with where I am travelling and do not need to rely on assisted directions. Even when I do, the GPS navigation system in my own car is very reliable and up to date with its’ mapping and efficient with directions when required. However, there are occasion where I have had to rely on an alternative guidance system, either when driving or when walking and my previous “go to” guidance system has usually been Google Maps. Of course, this is a common app already loaded in many smart phones and seems to be the default system for many users. Unfortunately, I have found it to be extremely unreliable and often complicated in the manner in which it determines the route an individual will use when trying to get from A to B.

Annoying Things in life #7. Garment Zipper Running Off Track

Zippers were first patented in 1937 by a Swedish designer in the US. It’s fair to say faulty zips have been terrorising the human race since that time! A zip that fails to engage or locks up is very annoying at any time. This always seems to happen when you are in a hurry to go somewhere, and you are throwing on that favourite or special warm jacket that has a full-length zipper. You know the situation – you are trying to get the zip to engage in its’ running track, but what had previously been a simple, co-operative process now becomes a dilemma when the zip won’t engage, and you cannot get started. The more you push and fumble the less likely it is to co-operate – and then you have success! You quickly pull the zipper handle up only to find that it never did engage properly and now the zipper is running freely up one side whilst the other dangles in the breeze.

Annoying Things in life #6. Passenger Behind Kicking Airline Seat

I would be surprised if most of you have not had this experience. I do quite a bit of travelling (albeit less during the past 2 years) and it has always nice to get oneself onto the aircraft seated comfortably in anticipation of a forthcoming destination – hopefully a sunny vacation spot. Just when things seem to be going along nicely you become aware of the passenger behind (more often a youngster) who decides they want to practise their kicking skills into the rear of your seat. Whilst this may be accidental on one or two occasions, when it becomes a frequent occurrence (or the child then decides to practise their drumming skills), one must speak up and address the matter with the offending individual.

Annoying Things in life #5. Blunt Restaurant Knives

Nearly everyone I know enjoys eating out at a restaurant from time to time. Clearly there are many meal options from which to choose, but the majority require utensils including a knife and fork. Unless you are ordering soup or simple omelette, the knife becomes an essential utensil in helping to consume the meal successfully and neatly. I have lost count of how many times I have been at a restaurant where the knife is so blunt that I am unable to cut a component of the meal (usually protein) without feeling like I am needing to use a chopping or sawing action. It is always a telling sign when you order a steak at a restaurant and the (better) restaurants will bring out a specific steak knife to your place setting prior to the meal arriving. I appreciate the gesture of course, but this generally indicates to me that they are acknowledging that their normal knives are not up to the task! As someone who has a love of sharp knives (nothing to do with my time working in the operating theatre?!) it really impresses me when a restaurant has good cutlery including sharp knives. Has anyone else had the same experience? A similar theme applies to the knives in my kitchen – I am a fan of beautiful Japanese knives and other efficient gadgets – but that is a topic for another post. Enjoy your next meal out and hopefully you will be able to complete the cutting of your chicken, beef, lamb, pork or steak without straining your forearm muscles.

Annoying Things In Life - #4. A BACKFLIP is Not a Change of Opinion/Perspective!

Whilst I may not be the world’s best wordsmith, I have always enjoyed writing and the challenge of the correct (and sometimes quirky) use of the English language. However, there are certain times when the choice of word(s) used infuriates me, especially when it happens over and over again. For example, there are repeated occasions where the choice of word chosen by a newsreader or journalist is questionable and the context in which it is used inappropriate.

Annoying Things In Life - #3. Uneven Toaster

Now, we all know that toast is a very common food in many households in Australia and around the world. For those you that like toast you will agree that there is nothing better than a beautiful evenly toasted piece of healthy grain bread topped with your favourite condiments (usually after applying some healthy butter). Why is it so difficult to find a toaster that performs consistently and toasts evenly on both sides of a single piece of toast, let alone two or four slices at the same time! Over the years I have lost count of the toasters that I have bought in an attempt to find the “perfect toaster”. Despite some rave reviews and early promising signs after purchase, it is remarkable how toaster elements can burn out so quickly resulting in patchy toasting on one side and burning on the other. Alternatively, there may be hardly any toasting on one half and patchy on the other. The combinations are endless!

Annoying Things In Life - #2. The Kinking Garden Hose

Annoying Things In Life - #1. Newspaper Cellophane Wrap

Annoying Things In Life - Background