Pet Peeves: Aka Things That Make You Go "Gah!"

[lookeyloo]

On 9/21/2024 at 12:07 PM, Yeah No said:

I am waaaay behind on this thread but I was actually coming here to post my peeve about this very subject. 

I just had an incident with a pump bottle from a specialty pharmacy that dispenses my rosacea cream. It turns out that Medicare doesn't cover the specific cream that really works so my dermatologist suggested having it mixed with another cheaper but still effective type of cream by a compounding pharmacy with good prices. So instead of $200 out of pocket per bottle it would be only $60, which is fine with me because I only need it on the apples of my cheeks so a bottle lasts a few months.

Well, the cream works and the first bottle gave me no issues. The second bottle was fine up until there was about 25% of the cream left. Then the cap somehow decided to come loose so I started reattaching it which only worked for a week or so after which I was unable to get the cap on in a way that would dispense the cream. The suction mechanism with the spring was sticking out of the bottle but I was unable to move it to get at the cream. I was busy at the time getting ready to go on vacation so I just refilled the cream rather than deal with it.

So anyway the third bottle was fine and got me through my vacation until after I came back. A couple of weeks later when about 75% of the product was left, that cap also came loose and I went through the same BS trying to get it back on to work, which this time didn't work at all. So I once again tried to get the spring mechanism out hoping maybe this time it would be different. Well, the plunger or straw actually fell into the bottle exposing the cream but I was only able to get to it with a Q tip.

Exasperated, I decided to call the company to see if they might be able to do something for me. I got a nice woman who referred me to the actual pharmacy that handled it, which was somewhere in the Mountain time zone. 

I couldn't believe the attitude of the "customer service" rep. After I explained the problem I described above, she started off by correcting me that it wasn't a plunger or a "straw" but something else. I said OK but asked her what difference that made that was relevant to my problem. No answer.

Then she started telling me I was doing something wrong or mistaken because she was reading the physician's instructions which call for a monthly refill and I was obviously using the same bottle for over a month. Now I've never needed to refill it once a month even using it twice a day as directed. I'd have to slather so much of it all over my face to do that it would be ridiculous. So she accused me of not using the product properly. I said I did mention earlier that it works fine the way I'm using it so maybe the doctor didn't realize that I didn't need it refilled that often, and what difference does that make anyway? Then she said their policy is only to replace an item within a month of filling it. I told her it only happened outside that time because I was still using the product after a month and again, what difference does that make? If the thing broke on two different bottles and I can't use them properly or at all don't they kind of owe me something anyway? I mean, even Ebay honors returns on "no return accepted" items if they are defective and it's outside the return period. So WTF? All I got was, "Well, I'm just telling you what our policy is". UGHHHH.....😠

I then explained to her that I'm not covered under Medicare for those creams so I'm paying out of pocket for them and so it matters to me more that this is happening. Then she reluctantly told me that they would send me a new one free "as a one time courtesy" but in the future they would not honor that if it was outside the one month period. Gee thanks! 

Anyway, I was pretty upset with her by this time. I told her that maybe it would have been more constructive and less insulting to lead off with telling me that she was sorry I was having trouble with the product and that they were happy to replace it for me rather than tell me there was something wrong with what I was calling it and doing with it, or continue to dig her heels in about what their "policy" was. I told her that in all my years of working with the public I would not have had my job very long if this was the way I treated customers. I told her I didn't care what the "new normal" was regarding that and that I'm not going to keep my mouth shut when I think I've been treated poorly anymore. I told her I didn't care whether it's now considered OK for customer service reps. to insult customers because those aren't the rules I operate by. I still operate by the "old" rules. I also told her that if she thinks that makes me a "crazy old lady" so be it. She was quiet for a while, then gave me a not-so-sincere apology. I'm still considering whether I will complain about her to the management of the company. And BTW I have NEVER made such a complaint!

Yeah, me too, although I dilute my dishwashing liquid with water even when mostly full on a regular basis. Most of it is ultra concentrated anyway.

Also have those problems.  There is so much product left when the pumps don't work or tubes won't squeeze.  I got those tiny cosmetic spatulas on a long stick and now can get everything out of a jar or bottle.  I cut tubes in half and get the last bit out of those too.  I'm paying for it, after all!!!

[Absolom]

6 hours ago, Yeah No said:

Instead they are having interactions online where it's either impersonal or often anything BUT civil, and if that's become their primary teacher for how to interact with people, we're all in deep trouble.

My grandkids showed that one my last visit.  The first dinner, they were lounging around the table and not using manners at all.  I called for some better behavior.  Granddaughter pipes up, points at her parents, and says they don't make us use manners so we forget.  At least you make us use them so we'll know what to do when we grow up.  ::smh::

4 hours ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

This is petty, but I HATE it when people "sing" the last word to a sentence. Like "so I am so hap-p-p-p-yyyyyyyyyeeeehhhh!!!" consistently. Like if you're truly excited I get it, but there's some vlogger I follow on YT who does that with EVERYTHING. "This is the dress I bought at Sh-e-eeeeee-iiiiii-nnnns" and singing "Sheins."

We can thank a certain loud, overly dramatic used to be daytime TV personality for that one.  I hated it the first time I heard it and it hasn't improved.

[Is Everyone Gone]

29 minutes ago, Absolom said:

 

We can thank a certain loud, overly dramatic used to be daytime TV personality for that one.  I hated it the first time I heard it and it hasn't improved.

Who? It just grinds my gears.

[tearknee]

Rosie or Oprah, i'd wager?

[tearknee]

the poli-social activist phrase "authentic lived experiences" never made sense to me as the *experiences* may be but NOT how a person interprets those experiences to themselves OR how they re-interpret those experiences to other people. *No one* is objective about *themselves*.

[EtheltoTillie]

12 minutes ago, tearknee said:

Rosie or Oprah, i'd wager?

Definitely the latter. Did you see her intro of Kamala Harris the other day?  

[DXD526]

Quote

 But the 2 that annoy me at the moment are "I see you" and "I appreciate you".

UGH, 'I appreciate you.' It's like nails on a blackboard. Not just because it sounds cloying and somewhat insincere, but it's grammatically incorrect. What's being appreciated, exactly, just 'me' in general? You appreciate that I was born in the first place, or that I got up today, so that I'm able to be here to be appreciated by you? 

It needs more information, like, 'I appreciate you helping me,' or 'I appreciate you taking an interest.' Just 'I appreciate you' is an incomplete sentence, and is annoying. And is becoming popular, much to my dismay. 

[Ohiopirate02]

2 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

Also have those problems.  There is so much product left when the pumps don't work or tubes won't squeeze.  I got those tiny cosmetic spatulas on a long stick and now can get everything out of a jar or bottle.  I cut tubes in half and get the last bit out of those too.  I'm paying for it, after all!!!

Be careful cutting those tubes. Many active ingredients in skincare and sunscreens lose their potency when exposed to air. I have a couple different toothpaste squeezers that I use to get the last few grams.

[Yeah No]

14 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

Be careful cutting those tubes. Many active ingredients in skincare and sunscreens lose their potency when exposed to air. I have a couple different toothpaste squeezers that I use to get the last few grams.

I've cut tubes before and taken a clean anti-microbial q-tip to pull the remaining cream out and put it in one of those tiny travel jars that come in those little zipper cases you find with the travel toiletries at Target or Walmart.

 

[Calvada]

Late to the discussion about bagging groceries - since the pandemic I use self-check most often so if there's an issue with how my groceries are bagged I can only blame myself. I hated it when I would hand the person bagging the groceries 3 reusable bags and they would proudly hand me 1 back since they packed everything into 2 bags, which would be incredibly heavy. I never wanted to jam up the line so I'd take the cart out to my car and repack there.  

I found some bags (Bulldog I think is the brand) that fold out like a box. The bottom is reinforced and there are longer handles but also side handles if you want to pick it up like a box. They fold flat so I can keep a few of them stacked in my car. They are very durable. I really like these, although I still have to remember not to make them too heavy.  

[Dimity]

Having a phone appointment with your doctor is a wonderful convenience...when they actually phone.  Supposed to call at 1.30, it's now 3.15.  Called the office to see if there was a problem and got voice mail.  Sigh.  How long is a reasonable amount of time to wait?  Not that there's much I can do about it anyway other than call the office again to reschedule I guess.

[Absolom]

 

These look very handy and useful.  Thanks.

Edited September 23 by Absolom

[Mountainair]

Aldi came out with some bags like that a few years ago. I love it and wish I had bought more than one. Since I only have one I use it for my bread, eggs and chips. 

Dr related peeve. I have severe dentist phobia but go twice a year like I’m supposed to. Despite having insurance I still somehow always owe $100.00 or more per visit. Like, what’s the point of having insurance? The last time I went they told me I needed a filling even though I didn’t have a cavity. So I scheduled the appointment for another date and left. Thought about it and decided I really couldn’t afford it. So they send me texts to confirm my appointment and I don’t confirm it. When I remembered to call and cancel the appointment it was a Friday morning and the office is closed on Friday. My appointment was the following Monday afternoon so I call to cancel Monday morning. A few weeks later I get a bill for $75.00 for not cancelling within the 24 hour period. How can I cancel in 24 hrs if you are closed on Friday and my appointment is on Monday. And when you send me texts asking to confirm and I don’t isn’t that sufficient enough to say I’m not coming? 

[DrSpaceman73]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

Having a phone appointment with your doctor is a wonderful convenience...when they actually phone.  Supposed to call at 1.30, it's now 3.15.  Called the office to see if there was a problem and got voice mail.  Sigh.  How long is a reasonable amount of time to wait?  Not that there's much I can do about it anyway other than call the office again to reschedule I guess.

My guess is they forgot. Or didn't know it was a phone visit. 

 

As a doctor this happens. On the schedule but dont pay attention or not clearly marked as a phone or video visit so you think the PATIENT didn't show when they aren't in the offuce and just overlook that you're supposed to call. 

[BlueSkies]

I wonder if I just think harshly about people in general.  Case in point on another website I use I made a comment about Jennifer Lopez and P Diddy wondering if Jennifer kind of knew what his deal was.  To me it's a fair question since she was close with him albeit over 20 years ago already.

 

Someone made a comment to me you can't necessarily think or assume that.  People are married to each other that keep secrets for one thing.

 

Idk maybe it's a product of social anxiety I'm always kind of wary about people in general.  

[Dimity]

3 hours ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

My guess is they forgot. Or didn't know it was a phone visit. 

Or he got called out on an emergency or delayed in surgery.  Lots of reasons,  I'm not mad, this stuff can happen even if you're sitting in the waiting room.  It's just at least there you can ask the receptionist or nurse if the dr is going to show!  Anyway will follow up tomorrow and am going to request an in person appointment if at all possible.

[PRgal]

52 minutes ago, BlueSkies said:

I wonder if I just think harshly about people in general.  Case in point on another website I use I made a comment about Jennifer Lopez and P Diddy wondering if Jennifer kind of knew what his deal was.  To me it's a fair question since she was close with him albeit over 20 years ago already.

 

Someone made a comment to me you can't necessarily think or assume that.  People are married to each other that keep secrets for one thing.

 

Idk maybe it's a product of social anxiety I'm always kind of wary about people in general.  

But J.Lo also doesn't make very good choices when it comes to her men.

[chitowngirl]

The son of a friend uses Walmart online shopping for his groceries. The bags are cloth reusable ones. Walmart does not take them back. He has dozens! What is one supposed to do with all these bags? At least my grocery store uses paper shopping bags which can be repurposed or trash and such. I suggested taking them to a food bank… It seems such a waste.

[Is Everyone Gone]

2 hours ago, BlueSkies said:

I wonder if I just think harshly about people in general.  Case in point on another website I use I made a comment about Jennifer Lopez and P Diddy wondering if Jennifer kind of knew what his deal was.  To me it's a fair question since she was close with him albeit over 20 years ago already.

 

Someone made a comment to me you can't necessarily think or assume that.  People are married to each other that keep secrets for one thing.

 

Idk maybe it's a product of social anxiety I'm always kind of wary about people in general.  

In general, predators are very good at code-switching and presenting a different face to the outside world. So many parents of gymnasts were convinced Larry Nassar was a swell guy. One parent even killed himself once he realized he had believed Nassar over his own daughter. I have no idea what JLo knew or didn't know, but it's believable that she didn't know.

Edited September 24 by Is Everyone Gone

[Is Everyone Gone]

To add a peeve, I'm really annoyed at all the Sheertex ads I see on IG and FB. It's relentless. You'd think that after years of targeted ads and I've never bought these tights, the algorithm would change. But nope.

[Ohiopirate02]

9 hours ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

To add a peeve, I'm really annoyed at all the Sheertex ads I see on IG and FB. It's relentless. You'd think that after years of targeted ads and I've never bought these tights, the algorithm would change. But nope.

I also get their ads and have never purchased anything from them. But, I have purchased tights through another company multiple times. I figure that's why I get their ads.

[Absolom]

11 hours ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

To add a peeve, I'm really annoyed at all the Sheertex ads I see on IG and FB.

Hosiery (stockings) still.  People don't wear them here very often.  The last pair I bought was for a child's wedding a decade or more ago.  

::Big sigh::  As I said before neighbor is running the air compressor every morning.  He hasn't bought a new tire.  I had hopes yesterday but he stayed home so no compressor running.  He's up to five minutes straight so far today.  Still going...

[Is Everyone Gone]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

Hosiery (stockings) still.  People don't wear them here very often.  The last pair I bought was for a child's wedding a decade or more ago.  

The only time I wear them is with blister-inducing pumps, because they help you avoid blisters. I guess in the winter sometimes I wear those thick thick cotton woven black tights with sweater dresses.

But sorry, I'm not spending $99 on pantyhose (which is what Sheertex costs).

[EtheltoTillie]

14 hours ago, Is Everyone Gone said:

In general, predators are very good at code-switching and presenting a different face to the outside world. So many parents of gymnasts were convinced Larry Nassar was a swell guy. One parent even killed himself once he realized he had believed Nassar over his own daughter. I have no idea what JLo knew or didn't know, but it's believable that she didn't know.

Hmm. Jlo was pictured at one of the white parties in a story I APS as yesterday. 

[nokat]

My current peeve is having to type in a 15 character password with 13 letters and two special characters, and they don't have the option to see it as you type.

Edited September 24 by nokat

[oliviabenson]

I forgot 2 passwords. I don’t feel like resetting them either. 

[meep.meep]

I downloaded a free jigsaw puzzle app on my phone for mindless amusement (don't judge me).  It works OK but has immersed me into an endless loop where they're trying to get me to download other apps - mostly for a game called Vita Mah Jong.  Supposedly it's just wonderful for "elderly people" - I don't think I'm there yet.  So that's peeve one.  Peeve two is that while they are demonstrating how us elderly people will play the game, they play it wrong. They select tiles that are not on the edge and they'll match.  Peeve three is that the major selling point for the app is "no intrusive advertisements!"   While the intrusive add runs on and on before I can play my puzzle.

[SoMuchTV]

17 minutes ago, meep.meep said:

It works OK but has immersed me into an endless loop where they're trying to get me to download other apps - mostly for a game called Vita Mah Jong.  Supposedly it's just wonderful for "elderly people"

Haha. Just keep reminding yourself that those are just ads. No different from commercials when you’re watching tv. Don’t click download… don’t click download… Look away and do something else…

[annzeepark914]

When I play Classic Solitaire, there are a lot of ads at the bottom of the screen. I "trained" myself to not look at the bottom of the screen and now I'm not even aware of them (yeah!!)

[Absolom]

On 9/23/2024 at 6:12 PM, chitowngirl said:

The son of a friend uses Walmart online shopping for his groceries. The bags are cloth reusable ones. Walmart does not take them back. He has dozens! What is one supposed to do with all these bags? At least my grocery store uses paper shopping bags which can be repurposed or trash and such. I suggested taking them to a food bank… It seems such a waste.

Thanks.  Now I know where my neighbor got her supply of cloth grocery bags.  That's not something she'd normally buy herself.  They did that first offer of WalMart delivery when it such a low price.  They were lucky they still had that when he brought COVID home.  I'm in California 15 months and then we take our own bags, take our goods out of the store in the cart, or buy paper bags.

[Absolom]

"Compressor neighbor" just got in his car and drove away without putting air in the tire!  I was away from the house for over an hour this morning so he could have put air in then, but there is hope this episode is over.  

[PRgal]

I don't know if TV-related posts belong here, but something that's been bugging me for years is why TV chefs NEVER wash their produce (or hands, etc...).  I get that they don't actually EAT the food they make, but still.  It seems...gross.  Just something that bugs me.  

[Yeah No]

51 minutes ago, PRgal said:

I don't know if TV-related posts belong here, but something that's been bugging me for years is why TV chefs NEVER wash their produce (or hands, etc...).  I get that they don't actually EAT the food they make, but still.  It seems...gross.  Just something that bugs me.  

I watched the Rachael Ray talk show for years and she used to talk about how everything was prepped and washed beforehand so I always assumed it was all done for them prior to filming.

[Dimity]

56 minutes ago, PRgal said:

I don't know if TV-related posts belong here, but something that's been bugging me for years is why TV chefs NEVER wash their produce (or hands, etc...). 

I don't watch a lot of cooking shows but I have noticed on the Giada and on the Valerie Bertinelli shows that they do wash their hands.  The Valerie ones in particular I notice because she always has these cute soap dispensers and lemon themed towels.  

[PRgal]

57 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

I watched the Rachael Ray talk show for years and she used to talk about how everything was prepped and washed beforehand so I always assumed it was all done for them prior to filming.

Yeah, but chefs often cut, say, a head of lettuce whole when they prepare a salad.  I was taught to rinse/wash greens after they're broken apart.  

[RealHousewife]

People not even trying to learn someone's name.

There is someone in my life who is a sweet person, but she'll know someone for years and years and still doesn't seem to even try to learn names. She is also an intelligent person who has no problem retaining information, so I don't get how some of these names could possibly be difficult for her to remember. I don't expect people to learn someone's name right off the bat and get that some names are more difficult than others. I always try though and will get it eventually if I don't remember your name or pronounce it correctly the first time. But to me it's such poor manners to forever be like "Oh that two-syllable name is so hard! Let me call you this instead! Oh I'm not from your country, can I call you this instead?" That is not cute. It shows such a lack of respect for someone's identity imo. I get secondhand embarrassment. Even if I've never heard a name like yours in my life, unless you have a nickname you prefer yourself, I will do my best to get your name right, and let's not pretend a name is difficult just because it's not Ann or Bill. 

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, RealHousewife said:

People not even trying to learn someone's name.

There is someone in my life who is a sweet person, but she'll know someone for years and years and still doesn't seem to even try to learn names. She is also an intelligent person who has no problem retaining information, so I don't get how some of these names could possibly be difficult for her to remember. I don't expect people to learn someone's name right off the bat and get that some names are more difficult than others. I always try though and will get it eventually if I don't remember your name or pronounce it correctly the first time. But to me it's such poor manners to forever be like "Oh that two-syllable name is so hard! Let me call you this instead! Oh I'm not from your country, can I call you this instead?" That is not cute. It shows such a lack of respect for someone's identity imo. I get secondhand embarrassment. Even if I've never heard a name like yours in my life, unless you have a nickname you prefer yourself, I will do my best to get your name right, and let's not pretend a name is difficult just because it's not Ann or Bill. 

But what if their accent makes it difficult for them to say a name properly.  I get "Cin-tee-ah" ALL THE TIME since the English "th" sound isn't common in many languages, including my ancestral language (I have a high school friend from the same background (and also with immigrant parents) who named one of her kids a name with a "th."  I asked her if she did that to make it hard for her parents and some of her other relatives to say...on purpose.  She actually said yes!  Okay.  She said "sort of" and also because she and her husband like the name)

Edited September 26 by PRgal

[Calvada]

5 hours ago, RealHousewife said:

People not even trying to learn someone's name.

There is someone in my life who is a sweet person, but she'll know someone for years and years and still doesn't seem to even try to learn names. She is also an intelligent person who has no problem retaining information, so I don't get how some of these names could possibly be difficult for her to remember. I don't expect people to learn someone's name right off the bat and get that some names are more difficult than others. I always try though and will get it eventually if I don't remember your name or pronounce it correctly the first time. But to me it's such poor manners to forever be like "Oh that two-syllable name is so hard! Let me call you this instead! Oh I'm not from your country, can I call you this instead?" That is not cute. It shows such a lack of respect for someone's identity imo. I get secondhand embarrassment. Even if I've never heard a name like yours in my life, unless you have a nickname you prefer yourself, I will do my best to get your name right, and let's not pretend a name is difficult just because it's not Ann or Bill. 

I have an uncommon/old-fashioned first name. Several years ago, I had a co-worker who mispronounced it. I said oh I know my name is unusual and I gave him the correct pronunciation. No big deal, a lot of people would say it the way he did. A couple days later he again mispronounced it and again I gave him the correct pronunciation, in a nice manner. But he continued to say it the wrong way and I gave up. We worked in different sections of the office so seldom interacted. I was never quite sure if he just wasn't that bright (there were only about 40 people in the office, so not lots of names to remember, especially since at that time we had 2 Joans, 2 Barbs, 2 Steves, and 2 Marks) or if for some reason he took against me immediately and this was his way of expressing it.  

[RealHousewife]

5 hours ago, PRgal said:

But what if their accent makes it difficult for them to say a name properly.  I get "Cin-tee-ah" ALL THE TIME since the English "th" sound isn't common in many languages, including my ancestral language (I have a high school friend from the same background (and also with immigrant parents) who named one of her kids a name with a "th."  I asked her if she did that to make it hard for her parents and some of her other relatives to say...on purpose.  She actually said yes!  Okay.  She said "sort of" and also because she and her husband like the name)

I am not referring to accents. I respect that people have accents, just like I respect people's names as part of their identity. It's the "hey whatever your name is" attitude that I don't like.

1 hour ago, Calvada said:

I have an uncommon/old-fashioned first name. Several years ago, I had a co-worker who mispronounced it. I said oh I know my name is unusual and I gave him the correct pronunciation. No big deal, a lot of people would say it the way he did. A couple days later he again mispronounced it and again I gave him the correct pronunciation, in a nice manner. But he continued to say it the wrong way and I gave up. We worked in different sections of the office so seldom interacted. I was never quite sure if he just wasn't that bright (there were only about 40 people in the office, so not lots of names to remember, especially since at that time we had 2 Joans, 2 Barbs, 2 Steves, and 2 Marks) or if for some reason he took against me immediately and this was his way of expressing it.  

It can be hard to tell at times! The person that inspired the post is a good person, so I don't think she means to be offensive. It still floors me that she seems to find people's names so unimportant though. 

[Absolom]

Some of us are really, really bad at face name connection.  All our brains can work slightly differently so we don't learn face name correspondence at the same rate.  Being cavalier about it could be simple rudeness or it could be the person's way of covering or dealing with the situation.  

[Browncoat]

 

[StatisticalOutlier]

11 hours ago, Calvada said:

or if for some reason he took against me immediately and this was his way of expressing it.  

Were you running for high public office?  😀

[Calvada]

1 minute ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

Were you running for high public office?  😀

Ha!  Nope, just trying to get through life.

Having an uncommon name can be a trial at time; I'm used to it being mangled at places like the dentist's office, where I wait a beat, thinking do they mean me?  I really disliked it as a child when all I wanted was to blend in, but as an adult I have come to appreciate it.  And I've always been the only person with my name in any situation so people tend to remember it.  Usually!  

[Yeah No]

19 hours ago, PRgal said:

Yeah, but chefs often cut, say, a head of lettuce whole when they prepare a salad.  I was taught to rinse/wash greens after they're broken apart.  

Sure, but I think this is one of those situations where TV needs to be different from real life. I think they like to show the chefs cutting up the food and they don't want them to have to cut, then stop to wash them while being filmed because it would take up too much air time.

But actually there are ways to wash things before cutting them and that's what they probably do for TV chefs. Jacques Pépin taught me how to wash certain kinds of produce without cutting them first. He's famous for the way he washes leeks.

Edited September 27 by Yeah No

[Yeah No]

18 hours ago, RealHousewife said:

People not even trying to learn someone's name.

There is someone in my life who is a sweet person, but she'll know someone for years and years and still doesn't seem to even try to learn names. She is also an intelligent person who has no problem retaining information, so I don't get how some of these names could possibly be difficult for her to remember. I don't expect people to learn someone's name right off the bat and get that some names are more difficult than others. I always try though and will get it eventually if I don't remember your name or pronounce it correctly the first time. But to me it's such poor manners to forever be like "Oh that two-syllable name is so hard! Let me call you this instead! Oh I'm not from your country, can I call you this instead?" That is not cute. It shows such a lack of respect for someone's identity imo. I get secondhand embarrassment. Even if I've never heard a name like yours in my life, unless you have a nickname you prefer yourself, I will do my best to get your name right, and let's not pretend a name is difficult just because it's not Ann or Bill. 

I have a moderately rare foreign name with an accent in it. It was my grandmother's name (she died before I was born). When I was young I endured this a lot but thanks to a couple of celebrities with the name in later decades I don't experience it that much anymore. I still get people that call my name at the doctor's office who seem a little unsure but they usually get it right these days. Hallelujah! 😉

My pet peeve is websites that don't allow for the use of accents on online forms where you have to fill out your name. You can put it in sometimes but it comes out looking garbled. It's very American-centric. One would think that by now they'd have corrected this, but nooooo....

[Dimity]

1 hour ago, Calvada said:

Having an uncommon name can be a trial at time; I'm used to it being mangled at places like the dentist's office, where I wait a beat, thinking do they mean me?  I really disliked it as a child when all I wanted was to blend in, but as an adult I have come to appreciate it.  And I've always been the only person with my name in any situation so people tend to remember it.  Usually!  

My name was so common when I was growing up that there were usually at least 3 other girls with the same name in most of my classes.  It's not at all common anymore but even so when I am in a public place like a Doctor's office and my name gets called I always wait and see if anyone else jumps up first.  Unless there are a lot of women over 50 there though I'm good.

[Yeah No]

35 minutes ago, Dimity said:

My name was so common when I was growing up that there were usually at least 3 other girls with the same name in most of my classes.  It's not at all common anymore but even so when I am in a public place like a Doctor's office and my name gets called I always wait and see if anyone else jumps up first.  Unless there are a lot of women over 50 there though I'm good.

I usually never hear my name called at the doctor's office, but last year when I went for my mammogram and I got up when they called my name another woman also got up. I thought it was just a one in a million coincidence until the next month when I went to a doctor's appointment the same thing happened and the other woman was the only other person in the room waiting to be called. What are the odds of THAT?

[Bastet]

Names go in one ear and out the other for me, so I have to make a concerted effort to make it stick, and don't always succeed, especially in social situations.

[Anela]

I have a friend named Xenia, an online friend for something like fourteen years, and I thought her name was pronounced Zeenia. She posted the correct version, earlier this year. It's more like Sinia. 

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, Bastet said:

Names go in one ear and out the other for me, so I have to make a concerted effort to make it stick, and don't always succeed, especially in social situations.

I'm bad with names myself but very good with faces. I wonder if that's a thing, to be good at one and bad at the other. My husband seems to be much better with names than I am but he's not so great with faces.