Why Do People… Feel The Need To Mash That Little Pedestrian Button At The Traffic Lights?

Time and time again I've walked up to an intersection to find that someone is standing there hammering away at that silver button. It's not like they push it a few times just to make sure the machine registered the push, it's a continuous onslaught of "tack tack tack tack tack" for the minute and a half it takes for the lights to change. Is it a mild form of OCD? Or do these people actually think that the lights will change faster if the machine registers more clicks?

Which brings up another very interesting question: Does the traffic light change if the button isn’t pushed? I know that on a number of occasions I’ve seen traffic stopped and no one crossing the intersection; did someone push the button and run away, or is that button there simply for the sheer pleasure of mashing it when you’re in a hurry?

So next time you come to an intersection, don’t abuse the traffic light pole – give it a friendly nudge and save your neighbour a headache.

Posted by Jessica Shute.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/

Why Do People…Wear Contradicting Articles of Clothing?

As the cold weather approaches, it is becoming increasingly evident that some people choose to stay warm in such a peculiar manner. Rather than wearing jeans and a jacket like normal individuals, I’ve noticed a phenomenon amongst tweens that is based on mini skirts, singlet tops, ugg boots and scarves. Regardless of the fact that one should never be seen wearing ugg boots in public (a crucial rookie error I’m choosing to ignore for the moment), this bizarre outfit is devoid of any sense whatsoever.

Apparently it’s okay to get frostbite as long as it doesn’t affect your feet, neck, chest and nether regions. Or, are people simply dressing for the wavering climate we find ourselves in during Autumn and Spring? I must admit, its pretty annoying waking up in the freezing cold and layering up before leaving the house, only to find that the sun has come out by the time you get to uni and you’re left averaging an internal body temperature of about 63 degrees all day. However, the logic of an outfit that just barely covers your decency doesn’t seem to exist. Does wearing a mini skirt and singlet top with ugg boots and a scarf really cancel out the 8 degree wind chill and the 28 degree sun heat to achieve a rather pleasant personal weather forecast of 22.5 degrees? I don’t think so…

Posted by Jessica Di Blasio.

Image source: http://prprep.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/uggboots.jpg

Why Do People... Complain Unnecessarily?

We all have issues, but do you really want all of your facebook friends to know about them?

Because when you constantly update your facebook status with all of your not so favourable daily events, people tire of it quickly. Yep, I know what you're thinking -- I'm complaining right now, but at least I have reason!

We all do it, some just do it a lot more than others. We've all experienced those couples on facebook who decide it's more fun to have their little arguments over wall posts. After we've heard all about it through our news feed, we get to hear it from them personally on our wall.

Then we have those friends who call everytime something happens to them.

I get it, people want to share their lives with others, but why do we feel the need to complain about everything that happens? because noone wants to deal with our problems as well as their own.

This brings me to the worst, customers! customers who don't check the price, customers who do check the price yet complain anyway and those customers who drop their two cents where it's not wanted, because they know better, apparently!

I'm a customer, but I don't complain and tell everyone I come across how to do their jobs!

Everyone just needs to take a step back, and relax! Maybe next time we open our mouths to complain, we can think about the positives for a change, and maybe even say thank you once in a while!

Posted by Jesslyn Mapstone.

Image Source:

http://therealmimi.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/complaining.jpg

Why Do People...Listen To Music on Public Transport Without Headphones?

I am sure everyone can understand me when I say not everybody has the same taste in music, just because we are all sitting on the same bus, or the same carriage on a train does not make as universally the same person.

So I am sure most of you can understand how annoying it is when the person sitting next to you, behind you or even three rows away is inconsiderate enough to decide to not plug in their headphones when they are listening to their music.

No you are not "cool" if you have the current chart topping hit blaring out of your pocket, if anything the government should introduce a law banning people from playing music in public places!

I know I may sound harsh but when your on the train trying to enjoy the trip by reading your favorite novel, or by listening to your own music, or even by just enjoying the view it makes you want to get up snatch their MP3 player and throw it out the window!!!!

So next time you are on a train, bus, ferry or just walking down the street think about how other people feel. Not everyone wants to listen to Britney Spears or Justin Bieber so put some headphones in and listen to it yourself!!

Posted By Bianca Vitale.

Image source:

http://www.icmeler-lighthouse.com/No%20Music.gif

Why Do People...Shout Into Their Phone in Public Places?

We’ve all been there before: Standing on a train, sitting in a café or just walking down the street; when all of sudden you hear someone shouting at the top of their voice. “Is someone being mugged?” you ask yourself, “should I go help them or call the police?” Before that train of thought gets too much further though, you pick up phrases like “…heard from you in ages…” and “… no way. Then what did she say…” The adrenalin subsides and you stop dialling the cops. It’s not someone being hacked to pieces or getting car jacked, they’ve just received a phone call.

I’m not sure if these people have no self control, or they just don’t understand how mobile phones work. Just because the person calling you is a hundred kilometres away, doesn’t mean that you have to push your voice that far down the phone lines. I understand that it can be a little noisy on a train or in a café, but stuffing your finger in your other ear and cradling the receiver in your hand is by far a better solution, rather than sharing what your sisters best friends boy friend said about you last Friday night to everyone on the bus.

If you’re one of these people who feel the need to scream at their handset if there is even a murmur of background noise, I have some handy tips and tricks for you.

• Your phone will come with a “volume” button, notice when you turn it up the person at the other end sounds louder? Well they probably have very similar button on their phone; if you ever stopped screaming they might even be able to use it.
• Just because you stick your finger in your ear doesn’t mean that I can’t hear you screaming.
• “Hands Free” was a wonderful invention.

So before you share your next phone call with everyone in the postcode, please consider those of us who don’t want hearing problems before they’re 30.

Posted by Jessica Shute.

Image source: http://www.toothpastefordinner.com

Why Do People...Pick Their Nose In Their Car?

There have been a litany of times when I have pulled up next to someone at a red light when, glancing over, I get instantly disgusted AND distracted by people who seem to think that being in your car means that you are invisible. News flash: tinted windows are still see through! A simple scratch is fair enough, but digging for gold in your nostril is probably not something you'd want to display publicly.

Furthermore, this phenomenon brings about the question of disposal. Honestly, if you're not using a tissue in the first place then chances are you don't have one within your immediate vicinity. So, where does the snot go? I can only imagine the places people must wipe their hands, places that perhaps you may sit in your friends' car. Maybe you might want to think twice before eating the innocent McDonald’s chip that fell onto your seat.

There is nothing wrong with cleaning your nose, but please stop picking it in your car! You know I saw you do it...

Posted by Jessica Di Blasio.

Image Source:

http://www.whattodoabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/seinfeld_thepick-300x207.jpg

Why Do People...Read Over Our Shoulders?

One of the biggest invasions of a teenagers' privacy. Not because you're doing something 'bad' but because they're YOUR personal messages. Don't go snooping in my phone either, and while you're at it, stop watching me type my password.

Where did our manners go? Far away apparently, because what was once something we were happy to keep to ourselves seems to have become public property overnight!

So how do we explain it? Because we're Gen Y, we're all open and it's okay?! Nope I don't think that's it. We just got lazy at hiding how nosey we are. I see my mum do it all the time...

1 New Message..."Ah, who's that from??" Don't ask me why she asks, we all know she saw who it was from before I did.

But what do we expect? In this day and age it's hard to keep anything hush.

So do we just deal with it? I guess so, because lets face it, curiousity is a funny thing - everyone wants to know everyone's business.

Just remember, while you're reading over someone's shoulder, someone's looking over yours...

Posted by Jesslyn Mapstone.

Image Source:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2861282634_bf9d461fb6.jpg

Why Do People..."LOL"

You're having a conversation with your friends and you have just told your friends the funniest story you have ever heard and you anxiously wait to hear them laugh then... "Lol, That was Funny."

WHY?! Is the thousand year old tradition of expressing emotion through laughter suddenly dying out with the onslaught of technology? Or is our generation just seriously beginning to lose our sense of humor?

Okay, fair enough I can understand that the idea of letting people know that your laughing online is more easily understood by lol or rofl, rather than brewhahahahaha, but taking it from an internet sensation and moving it into reality is just a whole other issue all together!

Every time I am having a conversation with someone in person that says "lol" or "wtf" or "rofl" or even "btw" (believe me it has been done) I find myself standing there wanting to punch them in the face!

Not only is is it a major annoyance but unbelievably addictive! I find myself slowly loosing my ability to laugh as it is being sucked up by the increasingly prevalent social norm of expressing laughter through one word....lol.

Therefore I submit a challenge to you all, next time you feel the urge to laugh at something... just do it! Let's combat this phenomenon before it overtakes us!

Posted By Bianca Vitale.

Image Source:

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/20/17-I-lol.jpg

Why Do People...TALK IN CAPS!!?!

Whether it be via mobile phones, email, instant messaging or in one of the other multitudes of forms that electronic messaging can be used in, there is nothing worse than talking to some one who thinks that caps lock is cruise control for cool.

Nothing says “I’m 12 years old” more clearly then seeing an entire paragraph/ conversation sprinkled with LOOOOOL!!! or YEAH SURE!! SEE YOU SOON!! !!! LOVE YOU XXXMWAHxXXxX. If you met that same person on the street and were having the same conversation, would you jump around and scream in a shrill voice about how bored you are at the moment? Do you honestly roll around on the floor with laughter every time someone says something even remotely amusing? No? Then why do you feel the need to shout it across the chat room?

Using caps doesn’t harm anyone in anyway, there’s no law against sounding like a retard; yet I’m sure I’m not alone when I feel like throttling the next person who tries to use caps to make their argument more valid, or a joke more amusing.

So next time you get the urge to caps a reply in forum, a text to your (long suffering) friend or an IM reply; Stop. Take a deep breath. Rethink whether the information you’re about to share should be screamed hysterically. Then regardless of what you think, turn caps OFF. You are helping make the world a better place.

Posted by Jessica Shute.

Image source: SeriousLulz.com

Why Do People...Walk So Slow?

Why do people walk so slow on public pathways, inside a shopping centre or in a busy street? Furthermore, why do people always feel the need to stop dead in their tracks, right in the middle of the way, upon greeting someone they know? For god’s sake, step to the side so that the flow of pedestrian traffic is not obstructed and distracted by your loud proclamations of “OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”, with arms flailing maniacally as you try to hug each other with 50 shopping bags in hand.

It is my proposal that all pedestrian walkways should carry the same rules as the road: “keep left unless overtaking”. In fact, perhaps flashing neon lights should be a legal requirement for individuals who cannot keep up with the average 80m/min walking speed. This way, those who know how to walk like normal people are able to arrive at their destination on time and without “walk rage”. Don’t get me wrong, there are some individuals, such as the elderly or disabled, who are simply unable to go any faster – but the rest of us really have no excuse. Stop being lazy and get out of my way!

Posted by Jessica Di Blasio.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8519457@N04/4225091877

Why Do People...Text While They Drive?

So, I'm rushing to get to work the other week, only to miss the green light when the driver in front of me, completely engaged in her text message, fails to pull off. Mum and Dad told us again and again to turn our phones off when we drive... so why don't we?

I've been guilty of it, sneaking a quick reply while you're driving, because it's harmless right?

Maybe... but not always, in fact just the other day, i was a passenger to a driver who was texting while driving. I didn't feel safe at all, especially when she grazed the curb when she rounded a corner.

The reason I get annoyed at people who text while they drive is because driver's around us need to be extra alert to make up for you lack of attention. Unfortunately, most drivers are doing the same thing. We often question why there are so many accidents on the road, yet they're so easily preventable. We're capable of reducing so many of the accidents which have claimed friends and loved ones.

So it's simple! Stop texting, and keep your eyes on the road!

Posted by Jesslyn Mapstone.

Image Source:

http://gruntdoc.com/files/texting_while_driving_thumb.jpg

Why Do People...

Have you ever gone shopping, hung out with friends, met new people or even just watched television and wondered to yourself "what the heck are they doing?"

Our blog is aiming to criticise behaviors that are rapidly becoming social norms, pointing out things that are really beginning to bug us!

Check regularly to find out what is making us tick and feel free to leave your own opinion over whether you agree with us or think we are being overly critical. It's a touchy subject, not everyone will agree, but I am sure that everyone can relate that sometimes people, things, habits and life in general can really piss you off!

Our group members include: Bianca Vitale, Jessica Di Blasio, Jesslyn Mapstone & Jessica Shute.

Posted by Bianca Vitale.

Image Source:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/ama/lowres/aman49l.jpg

Our Future Blog Design

Designing a blog is often one of the most difficult and arduous tasks. As we are short on time, we have decided to select a pre-made template that we feel is minimalistic - largely because we wish to get our point across as quickly and easily as possible. In addition, colour selection is important. Given that we have chosen to blog about our pet hates and annoying habits, red seemed to be one of the most fitting colours for displaying anger. However, a simple block red is a little bit too confronting for the reader. As you can see from our storyboard, we have chosen a burgundy colour that is complemented by the muted grey tones. In order to fulfill the assignment requirements, we have to select a colour other than black for our text. This is highly restrictive, as a blog exists to be read and other colours are difficult to discern. For this reason, we felt it would be best to go with a deep grey text colour.

The design of the logo keeps in line with the minimalistic theme displayed throughout, while aptly conveying the general theme of the blog to the reader. The assignment brief also states that we must have our "About Me" section on the right-hand side and this stipulation is one of the major factors in our consideration of blog layout. Essentially, we feel it is important to ensure the design of the blog is simple and easy to navigate, as this will entice readers to stay focused on the blog content. You can view a larger resolution of our storyboard by clicking on the image.

Posted by Group Two.