10. Sitting at number ten and rising rapidly are those people who cannot seem to turn off their cell phones at special events. There is always one or two who just refuse to silence their phone. Probably among the worst of these is the person who leaves it on at a funeral service. I sat through one funeral within the last year or so where the same person's phone went off at least three times. Of course, the times were well spaced so that the distraction was maximized.
9. People who cannot quit talking on the phone to do important tasks while driving. Too many times, I have sat behind someone who did not take off when the light turned green because their conversation had them too engrossed to notice the light. The same applies to people trying to park their car with one hand while chatting away. It seems to never occur to people that you can just say hold on while I finish this difficult, important, or dangerous car maneuver.
8. Because smoking has declined somewhat over the years, this one has dropped a few notches. People who believe that everyone wants to smell cigarette smoke. These people will light up within two feet of you without asking if it is alright to do so. Attached to this one and tied at number 8 are those who choose to take many extra breaks on the job to smoke a cigarette. This is normally grossly unfair to nonsmokers in the work place. The company shares responsibility in this annoying habit.
7. Couples who get overly frisky in restaurants and other public places. Now, most of us are willing to peek at them, but unless you have not seen each other in years, wait on a private opportunity to swallow each others tongue.
6. The habit of assuming too much authority at public gatherings. It seems like there is always someone who believes that God has called them to be shepherds in crowded places. They will ask the group to be less noisy. They will tell them to stand back from the line. Some will even call for attention to be paid to someone trying to talk. Many times, these people become more of a problem than the situation that they are trying to fix.
5. People who feel that it is their right to have a conversation with a speaker during a public presentation. Those who jeer and heckle fall into this category, also.
4. Sitting at number four is the habit of passing gas deliberately in public. Whether it is heard or silent, this is a very annoying habit. You always know these people because they are usually proud of their work in this area.
3. Poor public eating habits picks up the number three honors. These are people who continue talking while displaying partially chewed food in their mouth. Others choose to chew by opening their mouth with every stroke. Let's not forget those who shovel food in so rapidly that they lose their breath and have to pause and gasp for air every couple of minutes. I suppose we should throw those who require a shower and vacuum cleaner after every meal.
2. Parents who seem to thrive on humiliating their children publicly may deserve the number one ranking. These are parents who pick the most visible spot in the area to tell their child everything he or she has done wrong in the last decade. This is sometimes accompanied with slapping or other poor parental practice. Yelling and screaming is often a part of this ritual.
1. Now, (drum roll, please) it is time for the number one most annoying public habit. Crank up the gross meter. People who choose a public place to pick their noses, inspect the findings, and possibly consume them.
