Don’t people sometimes freak you out? Or some situations maybe? Here is my top list… Feel free to add your personal pet peeves. And yes, in case you wonder, I had a bay day.
People who quote from a religious book: I’m sorry. As much as I respect your religion, I just don’t understand why some people quote from the Bible, the Koran, the Old Testament (or the new one for that matters) for what seems no reason. If a politicians speaks on T.V, I do not want to hear you say: “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17… not that I would know). And when Bush, commenting about Iraq, said: “in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “To the captives, ‘come out,’ — and to those in darkness, ‘be free.‘” — I really freaked out.
Medical commercials on U.S television: I know your health system suck. Sorry about that. But do you really need to advertise all these freaky drugs on national T.V during prime time? I’m sick and tired of hearing about Viagra, incontinence or weight loss drugs when I’m eating diner. There just isn’t a good way present your products, no matter how many metaphors you use: “ED” (erectile dysfunction), “Love Life Again” (get it hard, finally), “miracle diet pill” (take a placebo pill and eat less) or “it’s time for an honest voice” (get out and exercise, lazy ass!). Not to mention the freaky side effects, usually muttered very fast at the end of the commercial: “During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away“. Really, right away? But I’m in the middle of… nevermind.
Arguments in the bus: Repeat after me — starting an argument in the bus will get you nowhere, especially not home. Think about it for a second. In a bus, you have: 1) People squeezed in a very tight space 2) all tired and eager to be home 3) a generally moody bus driver. It’s an axiom to remember. Someone complains quietly about being squeezed, next person says louder he can’t move because two punks sat on the priority seats, the two guys say they sit there because the bus driver told everybody to move to the back, everyone agrees the bus driver is driving like a maniac and approaching sharp bends like a Formula 1, woman with a stroller says she fears for her baby’s life, bus driver hears and threatens to stop the bus and call security etc etc etc. The only good way to get out of an argument in the bus is to not start one. Believe me.
Health advices in the news: it seems that everyday, scientists are discovering a new health threat. Eating. Not eating. Sleeping. Not sleeping. Water. The sun. Infinitesimal quantity of something in something. Common behavior (i.e drinking from a plastic bottle, jogging, sitting at a desk) is now linked to the development of some fatal disease. And this is reported on prime-time news, with many footages of doctors in white coats talking seriously and handing out statistics on spreadsheets. Yet, we have never been healthier… go figure. Meanwhile, a lot of people are worrying sick that they might catch a disease they don’t know yet about.
Bumper sticker: it’s not the stickers themselves but the message they carry. So far, I have yet to see a sticker that isn’t racist, fundamentalist, extremist or sexist. Lately, I spotted “I have the dick, so I make the rules“, “God said it, I believe, that settles it!” and “diapers are disposable, babies are not, stop abortion“. That pretty much proves my point… doesn’t it? Besides, I don’t see how a small piece of paper is going to make me change my mind about a political candidate or a philosophy. The only thing I do when I see a despicable bumper ticket is to park as far as the car and the owner as I can. Not pray. No buy a Bible. Not reconsider my left-wing borderline socialist beliefs.
I promise I’ll be in a better mood tomorrow (and note that my mood has nothing to do with any of the above!)
I do agree with you about it all. I think most of us have been annoyed or amused by those, but I usually don’t give more attention than necessary when I hear/see them.
Relax Zhu
🙂
I’ve heard some strange things about Canada, but have always had nice experiences myself. The “get it hard” part might have to do with the cold, though. Yikes!
Nice job! ~Jerry
jerrygs last great read…An RV may be the key to your second dream home
Salut Zhu,
Very well thought 😉
I have been away from the Sates so long that I’m sure that these commercials mediacl conditions would freak me out too ! Do you know that they are starting to advertise for Errectile dysfuntion treatments on French TV? But, it’s done in good taste ( I think a pharmacy group).
Otherwise, I don’t like anyone shoving down religious quotes or wisdom on me. I figure that I’m pretty open minded and tolerant, but it runs both ways.
I’m sure that you could be in North America for ages & still be learning 😉
Bises
barbaras last great read…The last 4 things I bought – a meme
You seem to be easily freaked out.
Brads last great read…As Usual…Bass Ackwards!
So after reading this, I have concluded a few things about you. 1) You cannot be an advertising agent, since you cannot “decorate” concepts by stating them in metaphorical terms; and 2) You and I must have similar attitudes toward dogmatism, considering the examples you gave of the things you hate, like those about God and having dicks.
Linguist-in-Waitings last great read…Emotional Ambivalence
I think that most of the bumper stickers are completely tasteless as well. It’s funny, I’ve never seen a bumper sticker in Japan.
Books aren’t religious. People are.
diesels last great read…The Elements of Spam
I am just stunned to see how good you write! Hatts off!
Now one more idea- add these things in About Me/ Me? tab. Everyone will know you more btter 😀
These days, all anyone has to do to freak me out is call me ‘madam’ – guaranteed to make me feel even older than I am! 😆
Layne | Reward Rebels last great read…Link Building And Ice Cream!
since you mention bumper stickers,
i hate people that cover their cars
with them. even without reading them,
i *know* those people are strange!
Seraphines last great read…Women Impressionists
“Not everybody is a sheep” is on my car. I drive a hybrid.
Spyders last great read…While on vacation…
Growing up in the suburbs freaked me out!
beaverbooshs last great read…Go Commando
Agree about most of them. Re: arguments in the bus, hey that sounds interesting! Just the thing to make a boring journey entertaining. 🙂
Glad you got it out of your chest and tomorrow will be a better day for you 😆
RennyBAs last great read…Läckö Baroque Castle in Sweden
@Froggywoogie – I’m relaxed now 😉 I shouldn’t be taken seriously when I write these things.
@jerryg – Eh, maybe it IS the cold 😆
@barbara – I see you understood me perfectly! These are small things though, just making observations.
@Brad – Not really actually, this post shouldn’t be taken too seriously 😉
@Linguist-in-Waiting – I would suck really really bad in marketing and I must say I have trouble taking it seriously. To me, a lot of it is just BS.
@Tom – Bumper stickers are quite uncommon in France as well.
@diesel – I have nothing against books. Just people.
@Annie – 😆 Maybe I should! Thanks for the nice praise, I appreciate it. Life was really busy lately, hence no reply yet… I’ll get back to you soon and will explain why 😉
@Layne | Reward Rebel – Man, I should have added this one, freaks me out too!
@Seraphine – I really think people sometimes don’t read or don’t truly understand what is written on bumper stickers.
@Spyder – Alright, you’re my exception. I like it!
@beaverboosh – Bet it did…
@Shantanu – Wel, it depends, The fun stops when the security comes in!
@RennyBA – Exactly! Some Norwegian wisdom you have 😉
You welcome for that praise; you deserve it!
I truly can guess reason for being so busy but still eagerly waiting to hear it from you 😉