The Little Things That Tick Us Off
With Thanksgiving around the corner, you should probably be thinking about the things you're grateful for, not the things that secretly annoy or tick you off. And yet. If you're the one expected to host the gathering this year, you might be starting to regret it a little. After all, there are plenty of things we're expected to enjoy or appreciate, but we secretly don't. Chances are, you're far from the only person who'd avoid admitting that they hate these 20 things.
1. Making Small Talk
Of course, there are plenty of people who actually enjoy small talk. Plenty! It's just not you. Whether you're stuck in an elevator with a coworker or waiting for your coffee, you'd much, much rather sit in the awkward silence than pretend you care about what the weather is like.
2. Having Happy Birthday Sung to Us
You'd think most of us looove having Happy Birthday sung to us, but it's really the complete opposite. We would really, really prefer the HBDs to be kept strictly private, not blasted out loud for everyone to hear at the restaurant. It's even worse when an entire group is belting it out.
3. Taking Group Photos
Sure, you're generally okay with taking group shots. One or two is totally fine. Ten, though? Twenty? It gets to a point. When someone insists on taking dozens of nearly identical pictures because there's always somebody fussing over how "terrible" they look or weren't ready, you kind of wish they could exclude you.
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4. Unexpected Phone Calls
Phone calls are fine. You know when it's not fine? When your phone starts ringing without warning. People have stuff to do! You have stuff to do! Still, admitting you hate surprise phone calls from certain friends or relatives can be pretty hurtful, so you just have to suck it up.
5. Having to Share Food
Sometimes, it's not really the saliva part that makes you not want to share food. In fact, it's simpler: you just want the entire portion to yourself. After all, you ordered it, so why do you need to share? It's especially annoying when the one person who insists that they're "not hungry" reaches for your fries.
6. Buying Gifts for People
We're not saying everyone's heartless and selfish, but given that buying gifts requires a lot of thinking, time, and (of course) money, it's definitely not the favorite thing on anyone's to-do list. It's even worse when the person you're shopping for is extremely, extremely picky.
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7. Hosting Dinner Parties
You hate to admit it, but you'd much rather not be the one hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas. Leave it to your parents! Or friends! You want to be the one who just shows up, not the one rushing around in the kitchen and putting decorations up. And after everyone leaves, there's a mountain of dishes waiting for you, too.
8. Surprise Visits
Just like surprise phone calls, you kind of hate unexpected visits. Sure, it's nice that a friend or relative suddenly wants to see you, but showing up unannounced isn't always welcome. Instead of getting to spend the evening doing nothing, you now have to entertain them.
9. Watching All the TikToks Friends Sent
It's not that you don't like watching TikToks. You do! But when your friends or family send you 30 TikToks in one go, it doesn't even feel like entertainment anymore. You might not find their humor funny, and yet you still have to respond as if you enjoyed them.
10. Having to Introduce Yourself
Normally, introducing yourself is no biggie. But you know that feeling when you're sat in a circle, and your turn is coming up? Not only do you need to tell everyone your name, you're also expected to share an interesting fact about yourself. You wish you could just skip it.
11. Being Asked to Donate
Supporting a good cause is a great thing! You just don't like it when people are shoving things in your face and constantly pestering you to donate. Or when the cashier eyes you expectantly. So you can't really say no, or else you look like the bad guy.
12. Celebrating Your Birthday
It's bad enough when people sing Happy Birthday to you out loud, in front of everyone, but you know what's worse? When the entire office insists on celebrating your birthday in the breakroom. It's just not your idea of a good time—you'd rather not have people make a big announcement about your age.
13. Lending Money to Friends
Lending your friend a few dollars is fine. You're not a selfish jerk. It can get pretty annoying, though, when people ask to borrow money time and time again, and request amounts you're just not comfortable forking over. But if you say no, you're the bad friend.
14. Treating Someone to an Expensive Dinner
It's not that you're stingy enough to never be the one treating others, but watching the bill climb higher and higher because they know the tab isn't on them can be a sobering feeling. It's especially frustrating when they purposely order the most expensive dishes! You might smile and say everything's fine, even though you're already regretting everything.
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15. People Who Insist on Splitting the Bill Equally
But it's not just treating others to expensive dinners that you secretly hate—you also don't really appreciate when a friend insists on splitting the bill evenly. Sure, it sounds convenient, but it really isn't when you realize they ordered much more than you and all the pricey dishes were theirs. And, for the sake of not seeming stingy, you might have to reluctantly pay extra.
16. Being Asked to Help Someone Move
Helping a friend move sounds like a reasonable favor. However, you do mind when you're the one expected to carry all the heavy stuff. And what was supposed to take a few hours has taken up your entire afternoon! You're happy to lend a hand, but that doesn't mean you're thrilled about spending your Saturday lifting boxes.
17. Having Guests Stay Overnight
What's worse than getting surprise visits? Them overstaying their welcome and asking if they can sleep in the guest room. Look, sometimes you'd rather just not share your space. Even if you love their company, there's often a sense of relief when they finally head home.
18. Getting Advice You Never Asked For
You love advice! Just not when it's unsolicited advice. There's nothing more annoying than someone telling you how to handle a problem when you didn't ask for it, and when they don't fully understand what you're dealing with. Sometimes, you just want to complain about a frustrating day without someone scrutinizing your every move.
19. Giving Someone a Ride
Offering someone a ride occasionally isn't a big deal, but it can get pretty irritating when they start treating you like their personal chauffeur. Worse yet, they don't even suggest splitting the costs for gas and parking! It's almost like they don't realize how inconvenient the arrangement might be.
20. Attending Children's Birthday Parties
You love your kids and seeing them have fun, but it's also true that you absolutely hate children's birthday parties. If you could just drop your kids off and head off to do your own thing, that'd be great, but nope. You're often stuck in a crowded house full of party games and noisy entertainment until your kids tire themselves out.
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