Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with irritating

Buy Kid-Size Earplugs?

glider — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:12:05 -0800

My next door neighbor has a terrible hardcore band that has started jamming weeknights. Not super late, but until ~10pm, which is very late when you're trying to get a six year old to bed. It's more than loud enough to keep her awake, and even watching TV would be difficult. Going with the assumption that he's a dick and won't stop, what can I do, if anything? I'm in Toronto, in a live/work (legal) studio space, where I *think* the noise laws are between 7am and 11pm.

Should we discourage silly child's behavior?

uvaleg — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:21:41 -0800

My friend's 9-year-old daughter acts like this, what can she do? My friend's daughter is a complete goofball. She is the sweetest kid, but when I read this post, I saw her future. When the child--let's call her Jenny--is in public, she has a tendency to act like a puppy or make goofy faces and jump around like a frog... all behaviors that are obviously meant to be cute and funny, but which are a bit embarrassing. Her mother is very annoyed by her daughter's behavior, I see it on her face every time, and gets easily frustrated and snaps at Jenny about it. Jenny's father (who lives in another state) is very socially awkward and weird, so I suspect she's somehow inherited this behavior. I'm sure Jenny doesn't intend to be annoying, so is there something her mother (and the rest of us who care about her) should be doing or saying to discourage this behavior or teach her that it's embarassing before she turns into an adult whose friends secretly find her incredibly irritating? Or should Jenny just be allowed to "be who she is" and should we trust that she'll grow into the person she's destined to be?

I should add that Jenny has been diagnosed as being ADHD and is currently on Ritalin for that problem. Also, I'm not yet a parent... I do, however, see how much this bothers my friend and thought I'd solict a little advice from you smarties...

I've been fine, and you? Aewsome. How much debt do I owe? uh.. none of your beeswax?

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:09:22 -0800

How does one graciously deflect intrusive questions? This situation presents itself primarily between myself and past female friends that I used to be close to (the friendships were never broken, but the tight bond once shared had definitely diminished over time).

Mainly, when I run into said former-close-female-friend, they start with a barrage of mega intrusive questions. It starts with the regular garden variety of questions you would ask of anyone you care about (seeing anyone? are you working? where do you live now? etc) to the horrifying questions that they loudly inquire about in public spaces (what size do you wear? do you have a boyfriend on the internet? how much money do you/your siblings/your parents make? are you having sex with anyone currently? how much do you weigh?).

The answer to those questions by the way, is a big WTF.

If I try to deflect the question or give them the wtf furrowed eyebrow, they start whining (why aren't you telling me?? I thought we were friends!! tell meeeeeeeeeee!!! *grabbing my arm and shaking me*) or give me a blank stare and repeat the question, as if the reason I'm not answering is because the question hadn't been heard or understood.

If I (begrudgingly) answer the question, they try to pry for more details and then bring up anything they've learned about me to anyone that asks, as if my telling them gives them permission to talk about my personal life to people.

These encounters make my stomach churn. The idea of even running into old friends makes me stomach churn. The idea that one of them will find out that I wrote this and then invite me to dinner to confront me about it and then ask if I'm talking about them after asking me how much I weigh or how much money I make makes my stomach churn.

I realize that I am a pretty private individual, but it's not like I never speak about anything unless prompted to do so. Their questions make me feel like I'm some annoying kid that they pretend to be friends with to dig up gossip on and blackmail. I realize their intentions are not so sinister but it bothers me nonetheless.

I've tried seriously telling them that but it either just gets a laugh and is brushed off or is countered by "they're just questions, gosh." Exasperatingly telling them it's none of their business brings hurt feelings and "why won't you just tell me?" At times I have become quite angry or otherwise emotional about my privacy feeling invaded which just makes me look like a crazy person that's easy to provoke (which I guess I kinda AM).

Anyone have any advice on how to carefully and graciously deflect such questions? How do I let them know that their questions are totally out of line and that I won't answer them now or ever without hurting their feelings? Or am I just being too darn sensitive about all this? Apologies for my extended explanation and examples.

Ok, just piss off!

Solomon — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:19:05 -0800

How do you deal with irritating people? How do you deal with those people who seem to have the knack of rubbing you up the wrong way, maliciously or non-maliciously? Those people who you really want to avoid, but can't, and who seem to be extremely capable or pushing your buttons.

I'm talking about dealing with them at the moment that the button gets pushed, not afterwards, when you've had a cup of coffee and a cigarette and a chance to cool down a bit. How would you handle someone like that/handle the situation? Let's say that removing yourself from the situation is going to be difficult at best.

I know about counting to 10. I know about walking away. What other methods do people have/use?

The internet says my flight is delayed. What do I do?

unknowncommand — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:30:04 -0800

According to aa.com, my flight departure this morning is delayed by an hour. I haven't left the house yet. How big a risk is it, though, to show up to the airport an hour later than I had planned? Do they ever "move up" a delay, thinking that it is convenient to the people already waiting? If so, what is the point of showing me that it is delayed?

DIY frustration

quin — Sun, 07 May 2006 14:17:48 -0800

How do I align the splitter on my new table saw? I just recently purchased my first table saw. The instructions have been
less than helpful, though I did figure most of it out. However, I can't
seem to align the splitter. The instructions are very specific that you
NEED to have the splitter aligned, but don't say how. As far as I can tell,
there isn't anything to adjust, it sits on two screws and nothing can be
moved/changed. Am I missing something?

If it helps, it's a Pro-Tech 10" table saw (model cs4207, which doesn't seem to exist according to google.), Bought at Menards about 5 months ago.