Wednesday, July 27th

Looks like this week’s Pet Peeve Day fell on Wednesday. Last week it was Tuesday. But on both days the Pet Peeve Offender was the same person.

Last Tuesday (July 19th) I had just punched in at work and was walking to my desk with my bag over my shoulder, sunglasses still on, lunch in one hand and coffee in another. I looked down the aisle and saw a co-worker standing near my area and knew I wasn’t going to make it to my desk unscathed.

I didn’t even make it to my area before I felt the first round hit.

Co-Worker: I waited too long to open my drink…

That’s all they said. Seriously.

I just got double pet peeved in a matter of 3.5 seconds.

The first offense was that I didn’t even make it to my desk so I could put my stuff down before they started talking to me.

Now don’t get me wrong, a simple “hello” or “good morning” doesn’t bother me. But PLEASE don’t engage me in a conversation before I’ve reached my desk. I don’t care if you’ve been there two hours before me or that you were waiting for me to come in so I could answer your question. LET ME PUT MY STUFF DOWN FIRST.

The second offense was that what they said was left open so I would respond back. Don’t do that.

I don’t want to play the game. If you want to say something just say it, don’t go fishing for a response from me.

Because they were literally standing by my desk while I put my stuff down, I felt even more obliged to respond.

Me: Yeaaahhhh??? (dripping with sarcasm)
Co-Worker: I got a Diet Dr. Pepper this morning but didn’t open it right away so it’s not that cold anymore.
Me: Oh.

Yup, that was it.

Nothing cool like they waited to long to open their drink and it exploded/grew mold/changed colors. Just that it wasn’t cold anymore as if that was some big revelation.

I played, and lost, the stupid game for that?

I vowed to not fall for it again.

Today victory was mine.

This time the same co-worker peered over the cube wall behind my desk and started talking.

Co-Worker: I’m going to be very blue today.
Me: What?
Co-Worker: I’m going to working real blue today.
Me: Oh, OK.

I never looked up from my screen which apparently worked because they didn’t give a reason behind the statement and walked away.

Yeah, yeah, I know I’m a dick.

If they had simply told me why they were going to blue today I would have listened (partially because I wouldn’t have had a choice).

If you leave your statement/question open then you are giving me the option to be involved in the conversation and can’t be upset if I opt out.

Otherwise if you want me to ask why you said something then you may find yourself waiting because odds are I don’t care.