One of my pet peeves(Pt. 1)

First, let me explain what I intend to make a regular semi-feature here in my little corner of the web.

When I was doing talk shows, one topic I used that always generated instant response was to ask the listeners to share their pet peeves with me. Now we all have those little things that are not important in the grand scheme of life...you don't need these things to be different to live a fulfilling life, but all the same, when you encounter them, they simply DRIVE YOU CRAZY! You can't stand to encounter them in any way, shape, or form. I did this to enable my listeners to vent and get their frustrations out...and it not only did that, but it was entertaining, and illuminating for me! I learned so much about people and how they react to things.

So to learn a little more about me, from time to time, I'll share a few of my own with you. And needless to say, you can share some of yours back, if you choose. Hope this is fun for all of you.

My first pet peeve I'll share has to do with radio talk shows...although you can extend this one to social interaction as well on occasion.

You've heard this...we all have. When someone calls a talk show, the first line out of either the host's or the guest's mouth is "How are you doing?"...which to far too many, has become merely a synonym for "hello"...and nothing else.
I know this because when I'm asked this, not knowing the current "code" of behavioral slang, I attempt to actually answer the question! And regardless of whether I say "fine", or "Not so good", the other party will invariably say "Good!" without thinking(or listening, as it were)...such less-than-scintillating dialogue, as a lover of words and expression, annoys and bores me! If you're one of those people I described, please...unless you really want to know how I am, don't ask me that question!

Now on talk shows, that question "How are you?" is a polite way of opening a conversation, perhaps, but as dialogue, it's simply a waste of time. Most of the time, no one in the audience cares how either the host or the caller is anyway, they wanr ro hear the actual discussion...and the awkward "How are you"s just seem to be a time wasting, delaying tactic that annoys a listener like me.

Once, during a show I was doing, and having to answer "How are you" from what seemed like 20 callers in a row, I finally said, "Look. For anyone who really wants to know...I AM FINE...TFN! The moment I cease to be fine, I will tell all of you...right here!"...then I continued the show, and callers enjoyed the way I deflected the obvious time wasting conversational tactic.

Another I don't like on talk shows(it happens on my station a lot), is after the conversation begins...and the caller goes on for a while with what he/she wanted to talk about, then, not hearing our polite host try to jump in, he/she will ask the incredibly dumb question..."Can you hear me?"

Look...if the host can't hear you, he'll tell you! If he starts talking to you, he(and we)can hear you! Stop wasting precious radio time!

There...I feel better! Does this annoy you, too? Does anything else? Talk to me!

I promise I'll assume you're fine...and not ask "How are you?":-)

Page 1 of 1 pages

Comments

Add Comments

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

* Note: Members of Southern Gospel News.com who are logged in do not have to fill in the above information each time they post

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?