Some things I want to talk about just won’t work for a full article. So, I’ve decided to do a few vignettes of things that I either dislike and that really bother me. Here they are; a warning – some of them are a rant! Well, all of them, really.
Public Restrooms I may have talked about this before. But, when I go into the restroom for the handicapped, I find the expected bar for assistance to stand up. So many times, I also find a paper dispenser that is mounted BELOW the assistance bar. Who is designing these things? Have they ever tried to access the paper when the roll has just a little left? It takes a contortionist to get that paper!
And, the temperature. Why is it that public restrooms in a restaurant are always – ALWAYS – on the outside of the building. And, freezing cold. It’s as though the building designer decided not to put a heat vent in the restroom. Is it because they want the user to leave quickly and buy more food in the restaurant?
Poor English I make an effort to understand that all people speaking English are not on the same page. I do not, however, make excuses for those people who write scripts for movies using poor English. I understand their use of dialects – that is a different matter. Neither do I excuse the actors who simply recite those errors. Didn’t they learn English at school? Don’t they have a say in what they say?
I particularly hate – yes, HATE – hearing a line with the incorrect use of an object of a preposition. I cannot remember how many times I have heard this type of error: …the trip was good for John and I. No, no, no. I should not ever be used after a preposition. It should be … John and me. To tell which word should be the object of the preposition, the author and/or actor should simply take away the first object (the person’s name) and say, “for me.” It would never read “for I.” Just never.
Some of the prepositions for which the object is often wrong are: for, to, above, near, below, against. I could go on and on and on … but, I wonder – doesn’t anyone proof the scripts?
Robo Calls How many calls do you receive in a day that are generated as robo calls? Sometimes, my cell phone tells me that the call is probably a scam. Depending on my mood at that time, I may answer it. The person on the other end starts by saying, “Is this …. “ – usually pronounced incorrectly. That is my first clue that the game is afoot. So, I usually respond, “What are you trying to sell me?” Then, the other person may say, “You have diabetes or some other medical condition.” I ask them how they know that is so. They begin some explanation and tell me they are calling from CVS pharmacy or some other pharmacy. About then, I grow tired of the game and use what we call “Truck Driver Language.” Not a very pretty sound, but it’s part of the game. (Why do we label those words as “Truck Driver Language?”) They hang up. I know that they will call, again, using a different number.
If I get a call from a number that I don’t know, I don’t answer the call. Then, I use that number to call the caller, usually getting a beep-beep-beep. I block that number. Sometimes, it’s “fun” and, sometimes, it’s just annoying.
Instructions On Things I need To Read I have a couple of vision problems that preclude me from reading any of the instructions on packages of things I need to bake, instructions for taking medications, and manuals for machines that I buy. What is it about the manufacturers of items that require instructions? How to put a machine together? The temperature and how to mix a muffin mix? Letters from agencies that I need to read to get things done? Does no one at the places where these written items are created understand that there are people out here who, even with a magnifying glass, cannot read what they are writing?
To read the instructions for the muffin mix (great muffins, by the way), I needed to take the box to my copier and print the instructions with the enlarge print command. And, I kept that enlarged version for the next time I want to make these muffins. But, I repeat. Why is it necessary for me to go through that process to bake their product?
Back To Use Of English This time, it’s about using the wrong subject/verb combinations. Again, doesn’t anybody proof these scripts and/or magazine articles? For example, having a singular noun and putting a plural verb with it. “They” – the big giant “they” – write or say: The green car in all of the cars were especially nice. Again, no, no, no. It should be: The green car in all of the cars was especially nice. The green car is a single noun. Cars is plural and is not the subject. The green car is the subject and requires a singular verb for a predicate. While it is not the best example that could be used, but it is the best I could come up with as I write.
There are more rants I could do, now. But, I think I’ll stop. You get the gist of my thinking. Some things just drive me crazy.
Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.