By Cheryl Mattox Berry
Travel
I used to think that flying was the most luxurious way to travel. Not so much nowadays with cramped planes and the lack of freebies (snacks, beverages, pillows and blankets.) The airlines make you pay for every little thing, even boarding passes on some carriers if you don’t print them.
Worst yet is the behavior of passengers at the airport. Here are the top five things that grate on my nerves:
- Hitting my heels (especially the one I had surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon) with your luggage as we stand in line
- Letting your children run around like they’re on the playground, disturbing passengers trying to work or read
- Propping your dirty feet on the chairs like you’re at home
- Running to the front of the line when you’re supposed to board the plane last
- Talking loud on the cellphone
Cellphones
Speaking of cellphones, is everyone on mute these days? I don’t hear many people talking to each other. When I go out to dinner, I see couples sitting across from each other glued to their cellphones.
Why go out if you’re not going to talk to each other? It seems to me that all that information you’re consuming on your cellphone would provide good topics for discussion. Don’t keep it to yourself, share with your dinner companion. Keep the art of conversation alive.
Opinions
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people announcing their support for a cause or a presidential candidate – namely The Donald – in a voice loud enough to be heard in the Soviet Union. If they’re doing it to initiate a debate or get a rise out of me, forget it. I’m very good at ignoring people. My mom taught me how to do that at a very young age.
Complaints
This is another area my mom schooled me on. She said nobody wants to hear your complaints, keep them to yourself. Sometimes, I can’t help speaking up if something is too big to ignore, but I offer a solution to the problem 99.999 percent of the time. I wish others would do the same and quit whining.
What’s bothering you?