Kari: Happy January, Robert!
Robert: Yeah, January, not really the happiest month.
Kari: I know, right? People often talk about the fact that January is the most depressing month of the year. Do you agree? 
Robert: I somewhat agree.  It is dark and cold outside, isn’t it, and the holidays are over, but it’s also the start of a new year, with plans to achieve and refreshed motivation.
Kari: Yeah, that’s nice. Well, today I don’t want to talk about feeling depressed or depressing things anyway, but I thought it would nice, it would be a good month to talk about feeling annoyed and phrases people use to talk about different levels of annoyance or dislike. What do you think? 
Robert: Sounds great to me, especially since I’m feeling annoyed today by the rain, it hasn’t stopped for days! It’s raining right now. 
Kari: Then you’re in just the right mood! As usual, I want to play a game, but let’s take turns. I will tell you a pet peeve, and you use a word or phrase to talk about your level of annoyance, and then we’ll switch. But maybe we should explain what exactly is a pet peeve? Would you mind? 
Robert: Sure. Of course. A pet peeve is something that is a bit annoying for most people, but it is really annoying for you, in particular. For example, my biggest pet peeve is people biting their fingernails.
Kari: Ah, yes. Perfect example. That is annoying, and, unfortunately, it’s a small problem of mine.  Okay, let’s play. I’ll begin. #1 - the pet peeve is when people arrive late, such as to a party or a meeting.
Robert: Well, if it’s for a party then I’m fine with it, but if it’s a meeting then it bothers me.
Kari: Ah, so a moderate level of annoyance. It’s super, super annoying for me …. and my husband is one of those people! Now, you’re turn. 
Robert: All right. #2 – What about no soap in the public restroom?
Kari: I’m glad you said ‘no soap’ and not ‘no toilet paper.’ That’s a different kind of annoyance for me, or I should say a different level of annoyance, and for women in general, I think. It makes me mad when a public bathroom doesn’t have soap, but I can live with it, so I’m not too annoyed. Since COVID, I travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer. 
Robert: Not me, not me... It does my head in, so then I just have to wash my hands with water and then shake my hands or dry my hands on my trousers. 
Kari: I hear you. I hear you. Okay. #3 – People … let me think. People who are waiting in line to order food, and then when it’s their turn, they don’t know what they want.  
Robert: I think we all know that feeling, and yes, you are right. It drives me crazy, as well! They had all that time to decide and now they’re wasting my time! 
Kari: Yes. So, I think for both of us it’s a high level of annoyance. It’s something that really makes me insane. I mean, they were looking at the menu board for how long??? Okay. One more. Your turn.
Robert: Okay. Last one. Let’s make it a good one. #4 – when people text only in uppercase letters.
Kari: Texting with only big letters, like they are yelling at you.  Yeah, I don’t mind. I guess there are worse things in the world. 
Robert: Maybe, but it bugs me. It really bugs me, like … like you said. They’re shouting, like their opinion is more valid because it’s in capitals! Listen to me. 
Kari: You’re right. You’re right. That was fun, but before we go, let’s talk about one idiom related to feeling annoyed. What if I say, “If you don’t stop clicking your pen, I’m going to blow a gasket. Am I a little annoyed? A lot? What does it mean? 
Robert: You definitely have a high or very high level of annoyance. The reason for this idiom? Well, a car engine has gaskets, and when a gasket blows, or breaks, it is usually because the engine is really hot, and when it blows, there is a big release of energy or steam.  So, a person who’s going to blow his or her gasket is like the car engine – really hot as in angry, and then he or she explodes and releases that energy or steam. 
Kari: So, it’s a perfect idiom for feeling very annoyed. All right. Well, thank you all for listening. We hope that we didn’t annoy you with all of the expressions we used to talk about pet peeves and annoying things, and the next time you feel annoyed, which we hope is not soon, try using one.