Who Installed the Bathroom Door?

I'm sure most of you are already aware of what this pet peeve is about. That's right, it's the whole issue of using public restrooms and then having to "pull" on the door to exit, rather than "push".

It wouldn't bother me too much if I knew everyone washed their hands, but you and I both know that doesn't happen. I just don't understand, with all of the building codes and health regulations we have to abide by, why there's not a mandate requiring bathroom doors to open outwards upon exiting.

I noticed some people like to take paper towels with them to the door. They use them as a buffer to grab the handle - Smart! This works as long as there is a trash can near by. However, I've seen bathrooms without a trash can where so many people have thrown their paper into the corner upon exiting, that the janitorial staff finally got wise and stopped ignoring the pile of wet brown towels and added a waste basket. (I bet this is a pet peeve of theirs.)

You can really appreciate this pet peeve in the movie Along Came Polly, (I think it's that movie) where Ben Stiller's character gets trapped in the bathroom after washing his hands, and there are no towels or toilet paper left to get him out. He finally ends up standing by the door until someone comes in.

Remember, wash your hands. Oh, and don't ever offer to shake my hand, pat me on the back, or touch me in any way while in the restroom.

Did you say "Free?"

There is handy little organization in our area called In Cool Springs Magazine. If you go to their website you can sign up for a VIP card that will allow you to get discounts and free stuff at local participating stores and restaurants. So far I think it's a fabulous idea. I've been to places I may not normally go, simply because I have the card. From time to time they will email me about certain specials that are taking place for VIP members. The best part is, the VIP card is free.

So anyway, I get an email saying that Blue Coast Burrito is going to give away a free Baja Fish Taco to VIP members. GREAT! I had to go by there anyway and the email didn't indicate any "purchase necessary". I've wanted to try the fish taco, so this was the perfect opportunity. I walk in and place my order and it went great - it actually was no purchase necessary. Will I be back because of that? You bet!

Here's the pet peeve. I order one fish taco and end up waiting for nearly 10 minutes. I know it isn't a big deal and after all the taco is free, but obviously I wasn't the only one asking for a fish taco today. When you say something is "Free" you should be ready and prepared for the mob that is to follow. This applies to everyone, not just Blue Coast. In a great marketing effort, they failed - Don't worry Blue Coast, I'll be back because of the generosity, but don't expect me to order the fish taco. It will take too long.

Meet and Greet

One of my newer pet peeves is the old "meet and greet" moments in public gatherings. Whether it is a convention, church, or community meeting the mandatory meet your neighbor really makes me uncomfortable.

Here why I don't like it. First, you never know how long it is going to last before you are interrupted by the MC. There's no reason to start probing into someone's life if you don't know whether you can finish the conversation. Second, it is likely that I have already made conversation with those around me before things got started. We've already gone through the generic questions of "how are you?", "What's your name?", "Have you ever been here before?" and so forth. Third, if it is somewhere I have been before, I am likely to sit near people I already know. Why should I meet and greet people who I arrived with?

The other thing I don't like about it, is the fact that I can spot someone who walked in late, like a visitor at church, from across the room. I realize that someone is not talking to them and immediately they are given the impression that no one likes them. Or if you are the visitor you start to sweat and wonder if anyone will turn around and talk to you. But if they do, you immediately think "how insincere?". Am I the only one who thinks the meet and greet does more harm than good?