What is some of your Pet Peeve's

[dnw64]

I've spent most of my adult life traveling back and forth between USA and various European countries, and will say that any claim of "Europe does this" is bound to be wrong, as these countries are far more varied than even our own 50 states.

For example, Germany is a "rule follower" culture, as if it's baked into their DNA. When they say "you can't do this" regarding some aspect of motor vehicle regulation, and I respond "but what if I do?", it almost breaks their brains. Aside from some of their relatively new speed limits, most of them just can't even imagine intentionally breaking a traffic law.

Italy is near the far opposite end of the spectrum, with regard to adherence to driving regulations. Things like traffic lights and stop signs are "merely a suggestion", in that country.

Likewise with regard to permit and training requirements, they are not uniform across the continent. So, which culture is "Europe"?

I suppose you're right. But since I'm 1/2 German and spend most of my time in German-speaking European countries, I'm a bit biased.

 

[garry1p]

Roundabouts are very common in France, the few we have in MS (and adding more) seem to be disaster areas.

 

[Eagle1]

Roundabouts are very common in France, the few we have in MS (and adding more) seem to be disaster areas.

We only see one round about around here and it is more of a figure eight (2 connected together). My wife was driving after my surgery and I as sure we were gonna die of old age before there was space big enough for her to enter. She used to being pretty much the only car on a road most times, upsetting if someone else is using it.
After long time both circles were devoid of cars and off we went....

 

[Shawn T. W.]

What's frustrating about the round abouts are the people who don't signal that they are exiting! So I wait, then they turn ... And by the time I can get my semi-truck going again, there's another one coming, if the idiot signals there intensions, I wouldn't need to stop, and could be out of the way before the next car comes along ...

 

[Eagle1]

What's frustrating about the round abouts are the people who don't signal that they are exiting! So I wait, then they turn ... And by the time I can get my semi-truck going again, there's another one coming, if the idiot signals there intensions, I wouldn't need to stop, and could be out of the way before the next car comes along ...

Hard to signal if you figure out the right off ramp on the third pass.... at the last second. My wife's words not mine...

 

[masseyrider]

A friend went to Germany a few years ago and rented a car. Back home he gets all these letters from Germany, a fine with his picture caught on camera. Going through these towns at night he thought these "35" signs meant mph not kph...so no traffic buzzed through at 50.
I told him if he's never going back just don't pay. He never heard any more about it.

My EX was a blockhead.
Her uncle in Germany went past a traffic camera position and saw the flash.
He couldn't understand why as he wasn't speeding or doing anything else wrong that he was aware of.
He turned around, went back and drove by again. Another flash.
"WHAT THE...?"
Repeated and it happened again.
Several days later he received 3 tickets in the mail for failing to wear his seatbelt.

And in Germany the cost of a ticket is based on your income. The more you make, the more you pay.
I think that's actually very fair.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

My EX was a blockhead.
Her uncle in Germany went past a traffic camera position and saw the flash.
He couldn't understand why as he wasn't speeding or doing anything else wrong that he was aware of.
He turned around, went back and drove by again. Another flash.
"WHAT THE...?"
Repeated and it happened again.
Several days later he received 3 tickets in the mail for failing to wear his seatbelt.

And in Germany the cost of a ticket is based on your income. The more you make, the more you pay.
I think that's actually very fair.

I liked the story except the last sentence.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Speaking of peeves the icemaker quit in our new Frigidaire side by side fridge...except now that I'm old it SEEMS new but 3 years old.
I called Frigidaire and go through 30 prompts (press 1 for English...what tha'?). The last prompt asked for my name but since I'm cursing I get "we'll connect you with a live agent". After 15 minutes of elevator music I'm connected with Gharib Akhunzada who says "hello Mr. Sonoffabeach"
A "technician" who asked if the green light was on!
He's trying to arrange a service call and I just hung up before the satisfaction survey came on. I got my tools, took it all apart and fixed it myself. The full sensor lever was stuck so it "thought" the bin was full. We'll throw out the first load of ice since I lubed everything.

 

[dnw64]

And in Germany the cost of a ticket is based on your income. The more you make, the more you pay.
I think that's actually very fair.

Clearly, you live below the poverty level

 

[dnw64]

I liked the story except the last sentence.

Clearly, you are ABOVE the poverty level...

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I've always disliked socialism (communism).

 

[DarkBlack]

What's frustrating about the round abouts are the people who don't signal that they are exiting! So I wait, then they turn ... And by the time I can get my semi-truck going again, there's another one coming, if the idiot signals there intensions, I wouldn't need to stop, and could be out of the way before the next car comes along ...

I’ve never signaled on roundabouts, and never seen anyone else do it either Maybe they’re smaller around here. Every single vehicle is exiting, so what’s the point on a small rotary? Each exit is so close to the next one, you wouldn’t know which exit their signal is for, since everyone puts on signals early or JIT. You still have to wait to see if the vehicle actually steers towards the exit closest to your entrance.
I could see signaling being of some value on very large roundabouts though. That’s probably what you’re mentioning

 

[kenmbz]

I’ve never signaled on roundabouts, and never seen anyone else do it either Maybe they’re smaller around here. Every single vehicle is exiting, so what’s the point on a small rotary? Each exit is so close to the next one, you wouldn’t know which exit their signal is for, since everyone puts on signals early or JIT. You still have to wait to see if the vehicle actually steers towards the exit closest to your entrance.
I could see signaling being of some value on very large roundabouts though. That’s probably what you’re mentioning

Agreed, but some do have clear right turn exits, so signaling could help.
The bigger ones I can see where signaling might just confuse people.

Next peeve, people who go into a round about and stop.

 

[rontaki]

Nimrods put two roundabouts on State highway 49 between Auburn, Ca and Grass Valley, Ca. It is a busy, high-speed road.
Whatever entity decided to do that, I'd sure like some of what they were smoking.

 

[WinterDeere]

Boy, you'd guys better never go to the Florida keys or Sarasota! North Tamiani Trail has a roundabit for nearly every damn intersection, going through Sarasota. I don't think I've seen that many on any road in the UK!

Speaking of roundabouts:

RIP Chris Squire. No disrespect, this just happened to be the copy with the best audio.

 

[masseyrider]

I've always disliked socialism (communism).

You have just swallowed a century of propaganda by your government/rich.
They have the most to lose and the poor/working class the most to gain.
Communism has gotten a bad rap from the Soviets, Chinese and so forth.
A true communist society as envisaged by Marx has never existed and because of individual greed never will.

 

[Eagle1]

has never existed and because of individual greed never will.

There is the reality of the matter....... No system of government will ever not be comprised by greed.

 

[masseyrider]

What's wrong with traffic ticket penalties based on income?
A ticket for a $100 will do much more to dissuade a low income earner than a high income earner.
By your opinion someone who has more discretionary income should receive a relatively lesser penalty for committing a similar transgression of a societal norm.
By virtue of higher income they get a minor slap on the wrist while the poor shlub gets a blackeye and broken kneecap?
Helps explain how your leadership works.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Retired for 12 years I have no income per se. Would my fine be based on my social security? Real estate value? Dividends & cap. gains? Bank account balance?
Does a waitress get fined based on cash tips (?). I assume a call girl gets paid cash (? Do they accept a check or credit card? I don't know).
A standard fine is easier. Same with parking meters or public parking fees.
Better yet maybe a first offense fine (some $ amount), then 2nd offense license suspended (few days), 3rd offense suspended (30 days), etc.
How/why does politics enter into it? There's a political "hate" thread for that.

 

[BravoXray]

Pete peeve: piss poor customer service. I recently cancelled my trash service that placed a dumpster by my shop. I Paid the last bill, then received another bill for picking up the dumpster and returning it to their facility.
So I sent their bill back, along with my invoice for $150 for the three trips I had to make to get any kind of response.
My comments in the body of the invoice:

This invoice is for three trips from I had to make from Goshen to the XXXXX offices in Elkhart to get problems resolved with getting my waste picked up. I left numerous voice mails messages and numerous e-mails that went unanswered. My dumpster had not been emptied in three months, requiring me to take trash to the Elkhart County Landfill. Then, after a visit to your office and talking to the service rep XXXXXX, who promised to issue credits for the missed months, that wasn't done. I had to go back to your offices again to talk to the XXXXXX to get the billing corrected because, again, I never received a response to my voice mails or emails. Then, when I wanted to get the service discontinued, and numerous more voice mails and e-mails went unanswered, I had to make another trip to your offices to talk to a service rep.
So, I feel my time, gas and vehicle mileage spent driving to your offices three times is worth at least as much as what you billed me for picking up your dumpster. I not, however, billing you for the several times I had to clean up spilled hydraulic oil that your leaky truck left on my asphalt drive.
In my 50 years in business, I have dealt with some companies with poor customer service, but yours set a new standard in ignoring customer's needs. I knew Chuck XXXXX when he started the company, and he must be turning in his grave.
Have a nice day.