[Annoy] What's something small that really annoys you?

Forums › Off topic › [Annoy] What's something small that really annoys you?

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#1474394 19-Jan-2016 10:43

Paul1977:
jmh:
Paul1977:
jonathan18: Those who think the use of the Oxford comma should be forced upon all others.
I don't force it on others, but the Oxford comma (or serial comma) is awesome!
When I use to teach EFL (English as a Foreign Language) the only time we saw the Oxford comma was in the US teaching materials. UK ones never had it. As I worked for NZ and UK newspapers, we never used it there either.
Yeah, it's definitely used in the US far more. Not sure where I picked it up, but I think in most circumstances it makes more sense than not using it.

Yeah, I was joking when I mentioned forcible usage of the serial comma; as it happens, I like it and find it useful in particular situations where it's useful to ensure clarity of meaning, but I'm no doubt not always consistent with when and how I use it!

I like some of the examples on the Wikipedia page on serial commas of potential confusion caused by the use (or not) of them - my favourite:

"The Times once published an unintentionally humorous description of a Peter Ustinov documentary, noting that "highlights of his global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800-year-old demigod and a d!ldo collector." This would still be ambiguous if a serial comma were added, as Mandela could then be mistaken for a demigod, although he would be precluded from being a d!ldo collector."

Geektastic

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#1474401 19-Jan-2016 10:51

jonathan18:
Paul1977:
jmh:
Paul1977:
jonathan18: Those who think the use of the Oxford comma should be forced upon all others.
I don't force it on others, but the Oxford comma (or serial comma) is awesome!
When I use to teach EFL (English as a Foreign Language) the only time we saw the Oxford comma was in the US teaching materials. UK ones never had it. As I worked for NZ and UK newspapers, we never used it there either.
Yeah, it's definitely used in the US far more. Not sure where I picked it up, but I think in most circumstances it makes more sense than not using it.
Yeah, I was joking when I mentioned forcible usage of the serial comma; as it happens, I like it and find it useful in particular situations where it's useful to ensure clarity of meaning, but I'm no doubt not always consistent with when and how I use it! I like some of the examples on the Wikipedia page on serial commas of potential confusion caused by the use (or not) of them - my favourite: "The Times once published an unintentionally humorous description of a Peter Ustinov documentary, noting that "highlights of his global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800-year-old demigod and a d!ldo collector." This would still be ambiguous if a serial comma were added, as Mandela could then be mistaken for a demigod, although he would be precluded from being a d!ldo collector."

A bit like "The batsmen's Holding, the bowler's Willy."

Without the comma and (if correctly spoken the pause it denotes) there's certainly another interpretation! Of course, when written down the capital letters help.

gzt

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#1474502 19-Jan-2016 12:22

RUKI: In New Zealand - suggest reading the book by Barfoot & Thomson: "Selling Auckland". They succeeded partially because one of the pair had talent for short attractive slogans in the property adds

This reminds me. Property ads with lines about how cute/saleable etc etc and no real information.

richms

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#1474504 19-Jan-2016 12:24

gzt:
RUKI: In New Zealand - suggest reading the book by Barfoot & Thomson: "Selling Auckland". They succeeded partially because one of the pair had talent for short attractive slogans in the property adds

This reminds me. Property ads with lines about how cute/saleable etc etc and no real information.

Because real information has to be verified. Cute stuff doesn't.

Richard rich.ms

SepticSceptic

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#1474524 19-Jan-2016 12:45

RUKI: In regards to first one - I have created, introduced and enforced strict rules around email subject line structure (you can see some similarity) when I was Change Manager in one big Telco (IT/IS/Network).

Bugbear of mine too !

Usually I reply asking for a more informative subject line next time. If they persist with totally useless subject lines, message gets deleted, no response.

When they start asking why I haven't replied ... "Oh, I thought it was a junk mail or something ..... "

Sideface

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#1474701 19-Jan-2016 14:49

Being charged a "fee" for using a credit card when there is no other way of paying for the goods.

Sideface

Paul1977

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#1474722 19-Jan-2016 15:23

People who don't understand that the on-ramp on a motorway is to get up to the speed of the traffic flow.

ajobbins

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#1474731 19-Jan-2016 15:46

Sideface: Being charged a "fee" for using a credit card when there is no other way of paying for the goods.

Or being charged a fee for an electronic transaction but it's free for cash - which is actually far more expensive to handle, but banks give this service away for free still (for some reason)

Twitter: ajobbins

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#1474732 19-Jan-2016 15:52

Paul1977: People who don't understand that the on-ramp on a motorway is to get up to the speed of the traffic flow.

Yep the Tinakori on ramp is bad for folks breaking at the end of it. I used to travel it daily leaving work and many times had to break heavily because someone felt the need to stop look and listen.

It seems many drivers do not understand the concept of speed equalisation to ease the merge process.

MikeB4

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#1474736 19-Jan-2016 15:59

Speech does not usually annoy me as I listen to what is being said not the how it's being said, but folks who do air quotes often in conversation and the work physicality, I know it has been around for about 400 years but it just sounds wrong

in sports commentary.

richms

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#1474741 19-Jan-2016 16:08

MikeB4:
Paul1977: People who don't understand that the on-ramp on a motorway is to get up to the speed of the traffic flow.
Yep the Tinakori on ramp is bad for folks breaking at the end of it. I used to travel it daily leaving work and many times had to break heavily because someone felt the need to stop look and listen. It seems many drivers do not understand the concept of speed equalisation to ease the merge process.

Do you honk and flash your high beams at them for being dicks?

Richard rich.ms

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#1474743 19-Jan-2016 16:13

Sideface: Being charged a "fee" for using a credit card when there is no other way of paying for the goods.

Being charged 3 extra fees when I book something via Ticketek.

MikeB4

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#1474744 19-Jan-2016 16:17

richms:
MikeB4:
Paul1977: People who don't understand that the on-ramp on a motorway is to get up to the speed of the traffic flow.
Yep the Tinakori on ramp is bad for folks breaking at the end of it. I used to travel it daily leaving work and many times had to break heavily because someone felt the need to stop look and listen. It seems many drivers do not understand the concept of speed equalisation to ease the merge process.
Do you honk and flash your high beams at them for being dicks?

Nah never do that, that would be a dick like them

floydbloke

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#1474745 19-Jan-2016 16:19

When you're on a slowish internet connection at work and you end up clicking on the wrong link because it takes that half a second longer for a banner ad to appear in the middle of the screen. (I'm looking at you Geekzone

)

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

Coil

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#1474746 19-Jan-2016 16:21

floydbloke: When you're on a slowish internet connection at work and you end up clicking on the wrong link because it takes that half a second longer for a banner ad to appear in the middle of the screen. (I'm looking at you Geekzone )

Yup.

I have the same issues myself.

I am taking up counseling to deal with it.

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