I don't know about ya'll, but when I go out into public, I get annoyed sometimes. Okay, fine. I get annoyed a lot. My flesh is weak, and I have compiled the list below of things I think we should all abstain from doing while out in public. This is all in good fun, so if you are a guilty party, chances are I still love you.
1. Do not talk loudly on your cell phone in a waiting room
Really though, how is it okay for someone to talk loudly on their cell phone for the whole waiting room to hear? I don't want to hear about how "Briana broke curfew" or how "Randy ran out of minutes on his cell phone and can't get anymore 'til he gets his check" or how "I'm so pissed off at my sister I could just whip her." All of these calls can wait until one is in the safety of their vehicle, or outdoors, or somewhere else besides the waiting room where I and other people are waiting.
2. When driving your shopping cart at the store, do not park that beast sideways in the aisle
Okay, so there are times I am driving my shopping cart in a straight line at the store, and I come across a person who has their cart parked diagonally in the aisle. It is not okay to make eye contact with the person and then just continue to stand there in the other person's way. It is also not okay to look at the person driving their cart straight like they have a problem. Of course we have a problem when the aisle is blocked. Drive those carts straight, people, and if you are caught with your cart in the way, by all means, MOVE IT!
3. Do not continue to talk to someone giving you one word answers out in public
Has this ever happened to ya'll? A person insists on having a conversation with you even though you aren't really talking back. They just keep on and on. I don't know if it is nervousness that starts their talking, but it's definitely a lack of perception when they continue to talk to someone barely answering them.
4. Don't tell random people what to do with their kids
Parents definitely do not need strangers giving them random pieces of unasked for advice such as "You ought to go ahead and buy that for them" when their child is pitching a fit over a toy. Or "I always spanked mine when they acted that way." The list is endless, but really, be normal and go tell someone behind the stranger's back all about how you would've done it different and that you really wanted to tell them.
5. At a four way stop, do not wave people ahead of you
If it is your turn, GO! Why in the world do people want to play traffic cop at these four way stops? Just take your turn and move on. There is absolutely no need to sit there and not take your turn because you are too busy flagging on the person waiting for their turn.
6. Shopping carts: Put them back where they go!
This one is very easy. Just take the cart back to its designated area and park it there. The middle of the parking lot, up against my vehicle, or over the concrete barrier for the little flower beds are not the appropriate places to park the cart.
7. Smoking at the park
I used to be a smoker, which is not something I am proud of, but smoking at the park where children are playing is just wrong. There are plenty of other places to go smoke. I don't want my child to breathe all that in. If I did, I guess I'd put him in the car and barely crack my window while I smoked.
8. Attention ladies of all shapes and sizes: put your love handles in your shirt!
That's right, our shirts were made to cover our love handles—both of them. If your shirt and your britches don't meet, you need higher pants or a longer shirt.
9. Do not tell pregnant women they are huge
Or say "How are you going to make it until your due date? You're already so big." This is rude and mean and pregnant ladies are already sensitive. Be nice.
10. Ordering a huge order at the Starbucks drive thru is a no-no
We've all been there, right? You have a few extra minutes to spare, so you go through the drive thru at Starbucks delighted to see there's only one car ahead of you. You wait and wait only to see the barista hand out two drink holders full of drinks. That's like, eight drinks. The drive thru is made for speed and convenience. Take your big order inside.
