Pet Hate #1
People who do not clear up after their dogs
Is there anything worse than seeing big turds on a path where people walk and children play? It is disgusting, not to mention unhealthy. We’ve all stood in it at some point and had to clean our shoes or the wheels on the buggy. Yuk. These people give dog owners a bad name and it is simply not fair on the 99% of dog owners who take responsibility for their pet. By the way, I am a dog owner now so I can say this.
Jasper, my border collie.
Pet Hate #2 (actually this is a subsection of Pet Hate #1)
Dog owners who do pick up after their dogs, but then leave those little squidgy bags at the side of the path, or even worse, hanging from a bush or a signpost
Why? What do they think is going to happen? Do they really believe the s**t fairy will come and remove them like the tooth fairy comes and takes away those little tooshie-pegs*? I’ve got news for them: there is no such thing as the s**t fairy. Those little bags stay there until someone (ie another human being) removes it on their behalf. And if you are one of these people, please do not tell me you were going to collect it on the return journey! I do not believe you. It will still be there a week or a month later. Take it with you and dispose of it responsibly. (Incidentally, I have seen this practice in many countries. It is not just restricted to the UK).
*tooshie-pegs is Yorkshire for toothie-pegs
Pet Hate #3
Moving on from dogs now, but not entirely unrelated, Pet Peeve #3 is
People who leave their rubbish behind for someone else to clear up
How many times have we been out hiking to a remote, beautiful place up in the fells or in one of the National Parks and we have come across the detritus of some long-forgotten picnic or a party? People have made the effort to hike to these places and bring their goodies with them, presumably to enjoy these beautiful surroundings, and then they up sticks and just leave all their rubbish behind. Or their tent. Or something else they cannot be bothered to take away. We were out on the motorbike in Death Valley once, miles from anywhere on dirt roads and not a soul around all day. We stopped to admire the beautiful landscape and there, in a pull off, were about two dozen beer bottles, numerous cans and a load of other rubbish. Someone has to clear up after these people and that is just not right.
I think I’ll have another subsection here as well and I can say this because not only am I a dog owner, I am also a campervanner/motorhomer.
Pet Hate #3 subsection 1: campervanners who wild camp and leave their rubbish (or worse) behind.
Again, most people in the campervan community clear up after themselves if they have been wild camping, but the few who do not give the rest of us a bad name. Take it home!
Campervan dog
I’m on a roll now….
Pet Hate #4
Loud exhaust systems
I am reliably informed that these are after-market custom tweaks to make the exhaust produce that loud, throaty roaring sound upon acceleration. Is this really how some people get their kicks? Don’t get me wrong: I like fast cars and motorbikes, but I don’t need a thousand decibels of ear-busting exhaust noise to enjoy it. It is anti-social. It is illegal ( – well, it is in the UK. Not sure about other countries, but the anti-social tag still applies). And yes, I know a thousand decibels is impossible, but you get the point!
And whilst I am on the subject of noise pollution (yes, another Subsection: low flying military aircraft)….. why is it that the American airforce is allowed to fly fighter jets up and down the Lake District National Park scaring the living daylights out of everyone several times a week? I have spent a great deal of time in the wonderful National Parks in the USA and not once have I had to duck these low-flying aircraft. It is a different story here at home, however. Okay, I hear you: that is a little NIMBY for a travel blog!
Pet Hate #5
Toilets
Well not toilets per se. I value toilets, especially clean and well-maintained toilets which have those useful commodities such as paper and soap. What really annoys me though is when all the modern gadgets are in place so that one does not have to touch the flush or the tap or the soap dispenser or the drier – but then there is no way out without pulling on a door handle with clean hands. And because this is a super modern and clean facility with electric hand-driers, there are no paper towels to use on the handle. Perhaps in this ultra-modern, hygienic universe, every single person exiting the toilets before me has washed their hands prior to touching this handle. Or perhaps not. I am not a clean freak, by the way, but it bemuses and annoys me.
Pet Hate #6
People on aeroplanes
- who snore
- who have not washed and have body odour
- who infringe upon my space, even a little bit (unless it is my husband and then I’ll forgive him because I usually infringe on him more!)
I know I cannot have the entire plane to myself and that I have to share, but I do think there are a few fundamental rules about being in such close proximity with other people on a long haul flight.
I cannot cope with snoring in any circumstances but if it is a stranger several rows ahead of me it is a bit difficult to poke them in the ribs. I think the flight attendants should do this, but they usually decline. I once called the night manager in a hotel because the person in the next room was snoring so loudly. I wanted him to wake up the offending snorer, but no: the solution was to give me a different room. I didn’t really think that this was fair in the middle of the night, but was too tired to argue.
And is there anything worse than having to sit next to a stranger on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight to San Franscisco when that person has body odour? I was quite young when this happened to me and I did not have the confidence to request a different seat. Now I would not hesitate.
Pet Hate # 7
Mosquitoes. No explanation required.
Those are my pet peeves for now, but I have a feeling that I shall add to this post. Help me out if you wish and share your pet hates when out and about! Rant over – until next time!
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Crazy enough all those things bother me much more when I’m home in Berlin. I must be more relaxed when I’m away^^ Except for people on aeroplanes, we don’t really get a lot of those in Berlin 😉
They bother me just as much at home too!
Sometimes you gotta get it out!!! But YES to all of them. You’d hate my flat on islay. I can hear the neighbor snoring through the walls in the morning …
I could not cope with that, Lannie. Would be installing soundproofing!
Yes, yes and yes!! I relate to all of these pet peeves Jane. I can’t stand mosquitos, they always come for me. Also don’t like people that leave their trash behind, it’s so rude!
A therapeutic post? My pet peeve about pets is that pet-friendly hotels aren’t cat friendly. Just sayin.
That’s not fair. I had no idea.
Lol
Sad but true
We’re kindred spirits!! Number 2 drives me mad. I used to go running on a narrow track with trees each side and people would tie their bags of crap to the branches so if you weren’t careful you’d get whacked in the face by one.
Im adding seat recliners to number 6. 🤬
Yes! Recliners – especially when meals are being served. Just so inconsiderate. Kindred spirits indeed, Alison.
I only hope people who do those things will just go and read it, and more important – change their ways!
Well, except for snoring – I don’t think it’s their fault :))
Yes to most of these especially the dog related ones! So, so selfish!
Would agree totally with this list. Especially people who leave rubbish behind. Since the pandemic has been going im noticing it a lot more with many more people opting for outdoor activities the local parks are riddled with litter.
Hi Jane. I think you have hit on two of our biggest pet peeves. Leaving rubbish behind and the bathroom situation. Really, how hard is it to pick up something to take back out? Another one is when people throw it out the window. You can’t wait until you get to a trash can?
Exactly that! The thing is I do not know who these people are. I do not know a single person who would deliberately leave or toss rubbish.
This is a brilliant list Jane and I agree with them all. I just don’t understand how people think it’s ok to leave their rubbish behind or those dog bags. We get a lot of that here in Perth.
It is the same in so many places across the world, Wendy. Infuriating!
All of these get on my wick too. Right now particularly the toilet door one. Some places put a hand sanitiser outside, and it works. I have mastered the skill of using toilet roll to open a door, turn, and 3 pointer the toilet roll into a bin or toilet.
The doggie poo is a real annoyance too. Seems to be a problem everywhere during the lockdowns.
Thank you for sharing your toilet routine, John!