Pet Peeve. Or something.

I am a big believer that usually when something really irritates us about someone or something, it's because we usually are guilty of doing that same exact thing ourselves!!! Why do I bring this up? Because I have a new pet peeve that has really been getting to me lately. Which makes me wonder...do I do this!? That being said, on to my pet peeve...

For some time now, I've really been aware of people who think that the rules do not apply to them. And it really bothers me. I'm not sure why, either. And just being SO aware of it in others, I really have a hard time believing that I'm guilty of this, so maybe I'm finally proving my theory wrong. Anyway, I just moved into a new apartment and the lease says absolutely NO smoking. Not in the apartment, not on the patio, not outside your front door. Period. Every morning when I go to work, though, what do I smell right outside my door? Cigarette smoke. A neighbor in the next building likes to go out on his patio and have a cigarette every morning. He must have missed that portion of the lease. Either that or he thinks that the rules don't apply to him. Then there's the neighbor lady on the other side of the parking lot who has a dog living with her. The rules must not apply to her either since the lease CLEARLY states NO pets, not even to visit!! (Trust me, I noticed this because my folks have a dog and I would have LOVED to have her come and visit me, too!! But, it's a no go!) Obviously she must not have gotten a copy of the lease, either. Another example? At work they have started a construction project and have seriously barricaded the area off. Does that stop people from moving the barricades and going around and INTO the construction area?!? No. And the list just goes on and on...people who park where it says, "NO Parking!"; people who enter into buildings or onto land where it says, "Do not enter!"; people who run OBVIOUS red lights because they just don't want to stop and wait; bicyclists who make cars stop or slow down for them because they're not willing to obey the traffic laws; people who step out into the middle of the road where there is NO crosswalk and expect you to stop for them and then get mad at you if you act like you won't. *sigh* The list really does go on and on.

Now, I know that we are ALL guilty of these things at one time or another. I'm certainly not perfectly innocent myself. I also know that sometimes "breaking the rules" is practical...such as crossing where there is no crosswalk...but for pete's sake, be a little courteous about it! Don't just step in front of vehicles!! So, maybe that's what it is...that I've done this a time or two (or more!) in my life and have finally realized in the last few years that it's NOT okay and now I just get angry that other people can't figure it out! And it's hard for me to be tolerant of others especially when I really feel like most people are just all about "self preservation," which is defined as, "take care of myself and forget about everyone else."

So, what are YOUR thoughts about my little theory that I mention at the beginning of this post? Does this pet peeve drive me nuts because I am someone who does it and isn't even aware of it!? And what are your thoughts on my pet peeve? I'm interested in hearing what you think! Especially because I sometimes wonder if I'm the ONLY one that notices this stuff and gets frustrated with it! :)

Here's to "being more aware of our actions"!!! :o)