What "Ticks Off" our readers...

At Williamsport.com we get numerous email requests for editorials addressing a particular pet peeve. The majority of these pet peeves fall into the overall category of "common courtesy." Below is a collection of excerpts compiled from some of those email requests as well as from conversations with our readers.

I'M NOT YOUR SWEETIE!
What ticks me off is when a waitress calls me sweetie or honey. I don't even know this woman, I just wanted a burger and fries! Why does she insist on using such a term of endearment with a complete stranger? I have to wonder how most women would feel if, as a retail clerk, I addressed all women cutie, honey, or babe? I'd probably be fired.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU
Whatever happened to "Please and Thank You?" It used to be when you held a door for someone they would say "thank you." Today they just ignore you and walk through the door. So now I make sure I say "You're Welcome" loud enough for them and everyone nearby to hear.

PEOPLE WHO DON'T OBEY YIELD SIGNS AT INTERSECTIONS
Pennsylvania law requires motorists approaching a "Yield" sign to slow down, and stop if necessary, to yield the right of way to another vehicle. Moving over (if possible) so a vehicle approaching a yield sign can continue without actually stopping is common courtesy. Obeying a Yield sign is not common courtesy but the law!

SHE'LL CALL YOU BACK
I am so tired of people holding up the line at the bank, convenience store or even Kmart talking on their cell phones. They keep the tellers/clerks waiting while they "shoot the breeze" with their friends or families while the rest of the world has to wait. Last night I wanted to grab a woman's phone from her and tell the other person "she'll call you back when she is finished checking out because she obviously can't do two things at once" and then hang up. Then I'd look at the clerk and the other 6 people in line and say "You're welcome."

LAZY PARKING
Why is it people think it's OK to pull up to a shopping center curb to drop someone off and then just sit there while their passenger goes shopping? Not only do they cause congestion but they often block the fire lane.

People who use the handicap parking slots when there's no handicapped person in the car really pi _ _ me off! That permit is issued for the handicapped person not the vehicle. If the handicapped person isn't with you, park in a normal spot and walk a few steps like the rest of us.

Most parking lots have lines painted so they can get the most parking places possible in the most convenient location. Why can't people simply park between the lines and not take two and sometimes three spots.

SPOILED KIDS
It's getting to the point where I hate to go to the grocery store or any type of variety store anymore. Inevitably there's at least one, two, or even three mothers with multiple children that cry incessantly, run through the aisles, or scream at the top of their lungs. If we had acted that way as kids we were disciplined... on the spot!

CLOGGED AISLES
Is it just me or has everyone else noticed how every store now has more merchandise in the aisles than on the shelves? It's becoming increasingly more difficult to navigate your way through a store around all the "featured items" and all the people who clog the aisles to stop and look at the "specials." If there was ever a fire in one of these businesses, there's no way you could get everyone out safely.

Why is it so many people find it necessary to push their way in front of you to get into a store, get a cart, and then stop right inside the door so you can't get in?

Is there a law in Pennsylvania that requires obese people to shop in pairs and to do so side by side?

Thank you for all your email suggestions and a special thanks to "Bob" for suggesting this topic. - Editor