Miscellaneous Gripes

Leave me alone, I don't want to talk to you
What has the global village done to individual social responsibility and the respect for others privacy? Encouraged way too much interaction/introduction when clearly not needed or requested. I don't want to be everyone's friend.
27-Jan-12 16:18

Sly bar staff know when fruit machines pay out
Certain staff watch the machines and can apparently work out when a jackpot is due. The really cheeky ones actually turn the machines of if they consider a jackpot is due so that regular punters can't win the top prizes.
3-Jan-12 17:44

Technology moves on, but are things better?
Why, as technology gets more sophisticated, do the things we are prepared to accept get poorer in quality? Bigger TVs, yet we watch stuff on tiny mobile phone screens...
5-Dec-11 19:18

Insurance settlement not enough for medical bills
I was involved in a motorcycle accident which wasn't my fault and ended up with a broken leg. My gripe is that through no fault of my own I will suffer with this for life and have also been left seriously out of pocket.
28-Aug-11 19:32

Crossing the road dangerous due to parked lorry
Recently, I saw a lorry with a skip on the back which was parked up on the pavement. The driver had gone off and left the engine running. I wanted to cross the road and would usually have waited in the spot where the lorry was.
15-Jun-11 21:35

Low slung trousers (sagging) just looks stupid
My gripe is about people who walk around town with their jeans or trousers hanging down or low slung trousers. I cannot for the life of me figure out why they do it. Do they think it looks cool and macho or something?
19-Apr-11 21:56

Swearing in public places is unacceptable
I get so annoyed when I hear people effin' this and effin' that! Older kids and young adults seem to be the worst offenders. Walking through town on most days you’ll hear them cursing and swearing, practically every second word.
12-Apr-11 17:32

Children don't respect Remembrance Day silience
It's sad when children and other young people don't respect our fallen soldiers, because surely their grandparents where fighting in that war so that their grandchildren could be here today enjoying this freedom.
11-Apr-11 14:45

Avoiding hidden costs and rip-off merchants
It's not just tickets for major events and concerts, but also excessive post and package or handling charges levied at customers. I feel that all these charges are pretty unreasonable when you consider that the ticket price alone.
16-Mar-11 16:42

Queues at petrol stations are so frustrating
There used to be a time when you filled your car up at a petrol station, but apparently you do your weekly shopping there now as well. Then there are those who can't get the hang of filling up from any available pump.
22-Feb-11 18:42

Would you give up your seat on a bus or train?
Some may call me old fashioned but if I am standing waiting for a seat and a woman is too, I will let them take the seat ahead of me. This week, however, an incident occurred which made me think, am I just being a mug?
28-Jan-11 16:59

Have a Grumpy New Year everyone
If Christmas isn't bad enough, what about New Year? What's all that about? I have put up with more forced jollity and another bout of alcohol poisoning, but what exactly is there to be happy about?
5-Jan-11 13:05

Clearing snow from the pavement makes it worse
Most of the country is covered in snow and ice at the moment, but do the people who clear snow from the pavements realise they are leaving treacherous sheets of ice for pedestrians to walk on?
22-Dec-10 15:38

I hate Christmas, because it's jingle hell all the way
It's Christmas time again... This whole annual saga, which I'd much prefer to call winter seasonal extortion, is now called 'Happy Holidays' by some politically correct souls with a very odd sense of humour...
21-Dec-10 13:05

Out of control children on buses
Since when did buses become 'mobile playgrounds' where parents feel they can turn a blind eye to their child's disruptive behaviour and leave it up to somebody else to look out for their safety?
27-Nov-10 22:04

The schmozzle over English language
No one thinks in pure English or Gaelic. If thoughts were the function of words, no new words would ever be coined. We think, then we decide what words would best serve the nature, quality and the intent of our thoughts.
9-Sep-10 17:47

Poor spelling and incorrect use of words
Poor spelling and phrasing devalues what is often a good argument, or at least a sincerely felt one. Good writing on the other hand can be persuasive. Surely being persuasive is one benefit of griping.
5-Aug-10 14:01

Screaming brats during the school holidays
Instead of a reward may I suggest a gag, or better still remove the screaming brat from my vicinity and inflict it on someone else please. Even better don't have kids in the first place and save the planet!
2-Aug-10 16:45

Vomit all over the streets at the weekend
Vomit! I'm sorry, but there it is... all over the streets every week and quite frankly I'm sick of it!. Saturday and Sunday mornings the detritus of another night of binge drinking and kebab eating.
24-Jul-10 12:00

Whatever happened to spatial awareness?
Special harness? No, spatial awareness - as in people knowing what things are in their immediate vicinity and being able to avoid knocking into them. This seems to be something of a dying art in this country.
9-Apr-10 19:31

Smart, casual or something in between?
I've noticed a real slip in dress standards these days. From old folk with clothes that are in need of a good wash, to kids with their jean halfway down their backside. Then there's office workers with ill fitting suits.
30-Mar-10 20:31

NCP pay by phone and season tickets
Isn't it time for a competition enquiry into NCP? Every station in my area with a direct line to London has outsourced its car park to this fine organisation, and I now have a thick file of dog-eared letters to show for it.
4-Mar-10 19:07

Not enough disabled parking spaces
Our local multi-story car park has combined the disabled parking spaces with the parent and child parking spaces.For starters, having kids with you is not akin to being disabled. Granted, it's difficult, but it's not the same thing at all.
9-Feb-10 19:43

Did the new millennium really start in 2000?
The notion that getting to the year 2000 was the start of a new millennium or that getting to 2010 enters us into a new decade, are both a bunch of badly counted grapes. Isn't time normally counted from zero?
5-Jan-10 18:04

I don't like Christmas and here's why...
Christmas is just around the corner and Christmas trees, lights, crackers, puddings, mince pies, nuts, those trashy gift sets, chocolates, wine and cheese boards all suddenly pop up on the shelves as if by magic.
20-Dec-09 10:39

Global warming fact or fiction - do you believe?
Over half of the UK does not believe in global warming a recent poll has suggested lately. So what does this mean? Why are the people of the United Kingdom feeling that global warming isn't real?
9-Dec-09 18:53

Rude and abusive disabled people
I have always been very aware of difficulties faced by people who have mobility problems, and having been raised in a family with a disabled sister, I was always taught to offer assistance if needed.
2-Dec-09 19:06

Roadside litter and rubbish thrown from cars
Just take a quick (safe) look outside of your car next time you stop at a slip road junction or roundabout etc. Gaze into the verge and do a visual check on all the discarded items on the roadside. It's a national disgrace
5-Nov-09 17:48

Size does matter if you're a pedestrian
So size isn't everything? Well it certainly seems to be when it comes to pedestrians.  As a pedestrian, I've realised recently that I just don't count. So many times I've been forced off the pavement and on to the road.
1-Nov-09 15:08

Bring back public health and safety films
In the 1960s and 1970s we used to have all these short health and safety public information films on TV, and personally I think that the BBC should re-introduce these to make people aware of everyday dangers.
19-Oct-09 19:10

Fireworks should be licensed
I'm no killjoy and I love organised firework displays, but the availability of these things for purchase by the ASBO generation is a recipe for disaster at worst, or a downright nuissance at best.
5-Oct-09 17:53

Annoying telephone surveys and nuisance calls
Don't you just love those annoying telephone surveys that interrupt the peace and serenity of your weekend without even the slightest hint of any reward, financial or otherwise?
2-Oct-09 16:45

'You've won a free holiday' scams
I've just got off the phone to a company called CLC who have told me that I have won a seven day holiday, all paid for with no need to make a purchase or commit to anything. Does this sound too good to be true?
14-Sep-09 15:23

A rude and badly behaved child in public
Some parents seem to think that it is okay to let their child be very rude to absolute strangers without any hint of a reprimand. It's made worse when they themselves demonstrate their own poor upbringing.
29-Jul-09 15:06

Cars that park too close to mine
Why do some drivers insist on parking so close to the driver's side of my car? I'm always careful to get exactly in the middle of the white lines in a parking space. Some people seem unable to do this.
14-Jun-09 11:36

Gripes and grumpy people who moan
Fed up with gripes and grumpy people moaning about anything and everything? Sometimes it's good to gripe and perhaps it's human nature to have a bit of a rant. But one must remember, griping is not for everyone.
9-Jun-09 20:20

Drop off time outside a private school
Plenty of people complain about school run mums and their selfish attitudes but I'd like to gripe about a particular type of school run mum, the ones that drop their kids of at private schools.
5-Jun-09 21:30

These are some of the things I find annoying
Another thing that really gets on my goat is when people tell me to cheer and say it might never happen. Exactly what might never happen? If I'm already in a mood, then why add to my pain and make me feel worse?
2-Jun-09 08:36

Noise pollution from car stereos
That familiar thump, thump, thump can usually be heard long before you see the car. The driver complete with baseball cap tries to appear cool as he checks out the reaction from people.
26-Apr-09 13:30

Excessive packaging is such a waste
Who pays for all this excessive packaging? It's customers like you and I that pay for it, that's who. I think companies should face a tax penalty if they use more packaging for their products than they really need to.
23-Apr-09 19:37

Life as a student and a single mum
I am out there trying my hardest to get good qualifications so I can contribute to society and pay over the top taxes like everyone else. What's the point though when I'm being penalised for it?
15-Apr-09 03:33

BT took money when they shouldn't have
Natwest, BT and 3 mobile are all companies that I've had problems with recently. We're finding things tough enough as it is at the moment without these companies holding on to money that is rightfully ours.
10-Apr-09 16:27

My grandfather, the victim of an insurance scam?
My grandfather didn't see anyone in the car park and my grandmother who was sat in the car at the time, noticed a few 'dodgy looking fellas' in a van just watching everyone going about their business.
24-Mar-09 17:11

Prince Harry, just leave the poor lad alone!
This might be a bit late, but I've just watched a documentary on the Royal Family and once again Prince Harry's behaviour and conduct was brought up. Why can't the media just leave him alone to live his life?
27-Feb-09 18:51

Parents complain about disabled CBeebies presenter
I saw as one of the main Yahoo news headlines yesterday that there is 'uproar' about the new CBeebies presenter Cerrie, who has just one arm. Hello, it is hardly her fault is it? Surely she is entitled to a job like anyone else?
24-Feb-09 13:21

Insurance companies and accident repairs
I work for the biggest chain of car body shops in the UK, and have been in the industry for the past 20 odd years. I now have a major gripe with how insurance companies treat their customers 'behind the scenes'.
26-Jan-09 20:44

Neighbour's Sky dish causing problems
Sky was working fine for me until a few weeks ago when my neighbour decided to have a dish installed. Almost immediately I lost reception and Sky just couldn't understand that the problem was my neighbour's dish.
5-Jan-09 09:28

Burglary, petty theft and the distress it causes
Things are tough enough as it is having to cope with burglary and petty theft. Some idiot has stolen the doorbell from our front door. Why? I just don't understand people who take things that don't belong to them.
23-Dec-08 13:19

Pavement parking a danger to pedestrians
Some people out there are just so inconsiderate. Parking on a pavement not only obstructs the path for pedestrians, but there is a very real danger of someone being hit and possibly injured - had quite a scare recently myself!
20-Dec-08 13:33

Christmas stress, is it worth it?
It's a hard question to answer or me because I'm not really a fan of Christmas. You see the look on a kid's face when they open up their presents on one hand, but at the same time you see others stressed out with money worries.
10-Dec-08 17:18

To gripe or not to gripe, that's the question?
Gripemeister of every stripe will hit nature's trail. What is happening to the state of global geopolitics and collective economy that is hogging the primrose path and left unchecked? To gripe or no to gripe, that's the question?
5-Nov-08 15:15

Car sale scam is the final straw
I have recently put an advert on Auto Trader to sell my car because I just can’t keep it. Not had any calls from a potential buyer but almost 30 calls from other companies claiming to have interested parties.
14-Oct-08 17:44

Planners and property developers
Our house and neighbours have enjoyed great views over the golf course and countryside. A recent development by Taylor Wimpey will obliterate our views. Views are important, why can't planners and developers understand this?
16-Sep-08 21:46

Modern living, some suggestions
As we are fed our daily helpings of advertising, I felt it was really important to offer people out there some technology advice on what to buy, that way you'll be happy and fulfilled - or not!
2-Sep-08 22:00

Cold callers can go to hell
When my working day is done the last thing I want is to be pestered by cold callers trying to wheedle some business out of me. I really feel that it is an invasion of my privacy and they're taking up my valuable personal time.
1-Aug-08 09:00

Hairdressers who don't listen
My gripe is with hairdressers who don't listen. I have just paid £37 to have a cut and blow dry where I asked the lady to cut my hair short but she refused to do it saying it would not suit me. Why can't they just cut it the way you want it?
30-Jul-08 17:11

Tabloid 'news' papers nothing but trash
When the hell will tabloids start reporting the news and stop ruining people's lives? News media should report the news not take sides and vilify those involved, after all it's supposed to be news not entertainment.
14-Jul-08 17:44

Parks for the kids not wacky sculptures
Crazy sculpture designs and wacky architecture splattered all over the previously beautiful British landscape. Who do these people think they are? How about something useful like parks for the kids?
3-Jul-08 20:36

Car park ticket machines
I'm fed up waiting behind people who arrive unprepared at car park ticket machines. Please, have some change to hand and put it in the ticket machine yourself so we can all pay and be on our way.
11-Jun-08 13:42

Queue jumpers show no consideration
Does anyone know how to be queue anymore? I only ask because I am seeing more and more of a decline in people knowing how to do this boring yet polite gesture. I don't like to queue up either but it has to be done!
4-Jun-08 09:30

The government, environment and oil money
The environment, I'm sick of hearing about the sodding environment, global warming, carbon emissions and carbon taxes. More to the point, I'm sick of political environmental obsession.
28-May-08 13:42

Issues hiring a limo for the school Prom
Hiring a limo for the School Prom should be stress free, but when you book the limo with other parties involved it could be a bit of a nightmare. Has anyone ever experienced this kind of stress before?
21-May-08 14:42

Freecycle takers rude and ungrateful
For those of you haven't heard of the Freecycle network, it's a collection of Yahoo Groups that aim to promote waste reduction by passing your unwanted stuff on to people that can use it.
12-Mar-08 21:10

Playstation taken by Sky Installers
It took them two hours to install Sky, after which they left and it was then I realised items were missing from the house, namely my playstation. I know this for a fact because I had moved it so they could get access.
5-Mar-08 21:19

Part P certification for electricians
Any consumer who has certain types of electrical work carried out in their home (ie. re-wiring), would have to either employ an electrician who can self-certify or notify the building control authorities in advance.
31-Jan-08 19:49

Ignorant rude people with no manners
My gripe is basically all miserable aggressive people who don't seem to respond to manners. In less than a week I have had to deal with two pompous middle-class idiots who have been ignorant and horrible.
10-Jan-08 18:25

Great all round service from BT and Sky
Broadband and telephone providers get a fair amount of flak these days, but I'd like to take the time to point out that it isn't always bad and sometimes the service can be above par!
8-Jan-08 18:44

Young people and alcohol
Another New Year has started and I have been reminded yet again how some young people these days seem incapable of having a few drinks without kicking off and starting trouble.
3-Jan-08 11:30

Merry Christmas not Happy Holidays
Happy holidays? What is all this politically correct nonsense about and has everybody gone mad? I think it's absolutely ridiculous the lengths that some people go to in order not upset the minorities.
18-Dec-07 14:46

Cannot afford to buy or rent a house
In four months I will be homeless and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. I cannot move back home, can't afford to buy or rent a property and housing association accomodation is out of the question too.
11-Dec-07 14:45

TV Licensing send threatening letters
I don't have a TV and I don't want one. But I also don't believe that I should have to inform TV Licensing whenever I move house that I still don't want a television. I especially resent being harassed and treated like a criminal.
3-Dec-07 14:22

Mums at the school gate
Stuck up mums at the school gate! I have often tried to smile and make conversation with them, but the very next day when I try to make eye contact I end up hitting the same unfriendly brick wall again.
15-Nov-07 17:41

A bad mannered eavesdropper
If there’s one thing that I find really annoying, it’s bad mannered people who eavesdrop on a private conversation and then butt in at the most inappropriate time with some stupid comment.
6-Aug-07 18:38

Are we really being ripped off?
My gripe is aimed at those people who always feel ripped off and their ill informed rants and badly researched opinions. What I find objectionable are those people who simply decide they are paying too much.
2-Jul-07 01:00

Neurotically manic queuing
What really annoys me is when you have to stand in a queue, say at the bank or corner shop, wherever, and the person standing directly behind you doesn't appear to understand the concept of personal space.
7-Jun-07 20:35

Western coprorate culture
Every city is the same and every shop is selling identical goods. Every bank is selling products no one other than an actuary could tell apart. One big gloppy pseudo American corporate culture.
26-Apr-07 17:55

Racing school instructor messed up on training day
I did a training day at a racing school and at the end of the day our instructor filled out feedback forms. Unfortunately he got me mixed me up with someone else and they got my grades by mistake.
19-Apr-07 19:06

No television in this house
I am in a minority group of people in this country in that I am one of those rare individuals that don't own a television. When I moved house I was bombarded by letters from the TV licensing people demanding that I buy a TV licence.
12-Apr-07 16:17

Rich people poor in spirit
I am sickened by people living decadent lifestyles whether they are actually rich or just rich wannabes. To all you who are rich in material things but poor in spirit - help an elderly person, or better still just help other people.
30-Mar-07 12:42

Comic Relief, is it just a rip off?
I always buy into all the Comic Relief and Children in need stuff as it’s just been the normal thing to do ever since I was a child. But where does the money go and could some companies help out more than they do?
5-Mar-07 18:14

Fashion - how young people are being conned again
One of the most successful cons took place in the 18th Century, when older men and women dictated fashions to favour themselves.  The most cunning of all their ploys was to decree that everyone should wear white or silver wigs.
27-Feb-07 12:21

So many problems still to solve in the world
The World is not as big as it used to be, either through global warming or the use of wireless laptops. Never has science, technology or information, been more prevalent in forming the boundaries of the global market.
9-Feb-07 18:26

Men who leave their shirt unbuttoned
Is there an uglier male fashion than a smart suit worn with an unbuttoned shirt and no tie? Almost invariably displayed on television nowadays by politicians and newscasters attempting to look 'cool and with it'.
26-Jan-07 11:29

Don't blame the government for common sense
I've had just about enough of the stories on the BBC which ends with 'the government should do something about this.' It's time to take on some personal responsibility for what happens in our lives. 
9-Oct-06 23:59

Wedding photographers can be inconsiderate
I find it extremely irritating when the official wedding photographer doesn’t provide an adequate opportunity for friends and family to take some photos. Instead we have to make do with awkward shots taken from the side.
21-Sep-06 12:09

The human race on self destruct
We’re living in the crazy times with wildlife habitat destruction, deforestation, over fishing and the mindless killing of intelligent creatures like whales etc. Recycling would be a start, but we need to do more than that.
9-Aug-06 09:53

New BBC weather maps
How long are we going to be stuck with the deplorable BBC TV Weather Maps? Their dull brown and beige background illustrates what appears to be a Britain a few months after a nuclear attack.
7-Aug-06 20:09

TV commercials that denigrate men
Advertisements which mock and denigrate men are antagonising nearly half of their potential customers. Presumably the companies involved consider consumers to be such a stupid bunch.
6-Jul-06 18:04

Elderly disabled lady gets a parking ticket
An elderly lady that I have known for years just got a parking ticket even though she clearly displayed her disabled badge. Both the parking attendant and the local council were extremely unhelpful in this matter.
23-Jun-06 13:42

Residents only parking in my street
I feel that parking spaces where you need a permit, or those that are designated as residents only parking are a complete waste of space and I'm fed up with people being territorial about spaces outside their property.
22-May-06 16:02

Emotional honesty - don't run away from that pain
Isn't it funny how we often prevent out ourselves from getting what we really need from life? Open up your heart and mind to the rest of the universe and you will get home much quicker.
4-May-06 13:52

People who stare at my autistic child
Why do people stare at my autistic son like he's a purple alien from Planet Zarg? Didn't your parents teach you any manners? If he were in a wheelchair you'd give him no more than a quick glance, would you?
3-May-06 14:32

No 'thank you' or good manners for a gentleman
So what happened to good manners in the world today? It might not be fashionable anymore, but I won't stop being a gentleman just because some women are ignorant and don't appreciate that.
24-Apr-06 16:52

Hell is other people and their stupid blogs
For starters, I am sick of online journals and blogs because they're all very self-centred and stupid. I don't take well to the idea of plastering my visage on journals and blogs in order to impress a mostly blind horde of web people
3-Apr-06 15:31

People standing in the way at a shopping centre
It's so annoying when you are trying to get somewhere and someone is just standing around in the way blocking your path. Even more so when its a mouthy Chav girl who then gives you a load of backchat.
27-Mar-06 17:04

Stolen scooter and insurance company nightmare
Insurance companies are great until you need to make a claim. My son had his scooter stolen and although it was recovered within two hours, the insurance nightmare has to date lasted 11 weeks.
24-Feb-06 17:51

Tuesday, the day of the week I hate the most
I hate Tuesdays because for some reason it's the kind of day that really drags on no matter what you are doing. It's a strange day, perhaps because it's a kind of ‘nothing day’.
21-Feb-06 13:59

St Valentines day just a commercial ripoff
Valentine’s Day is here again and the shops are going crazy just falling over each other to ram those stupid romantic gifts down your throat at every opportunity. Why do people go in for all this tacky rubbish?
8-Feb-06 17:19

Overuse of the word 'issue' in the media
It's the stupid over use of the word issue that really gets up my nose. Why do people, particularly in the media have to use these stupid phrases all the time?
2-Feb-06 17:15

Ripped of by fruit machine that wouldn't pay out
I visited the Welcome Break services on the M1 and happened to win over £100 on one of the slot machines. It didn't pay the full amount and I haven't received the remainder of the winnings as I was promised.
24-Jan-06 17:23

Examples of issues that pregnant women face
Pregnancy Issies: Preganant women have to deal with issues that many people don't even consider. Other drivers, insults, frumpy fashion and the food we can or can't eat.
19-Jan-06 13:48

Rich people with a very poor attitude
My gripe is mainly about rich men who have money, and yet are always the last to pay their bills on time. Another issue I guess, is their attitude to the people in their life and the complete disrespect that they show others.
11-Sep-05 10:40

Why do women gossip all the time?
I'm fed up having to listen to gossip in the lunchtime queue, only to be kept waiting whilst that person attempts to decide what they want to eat at the last minute!
24-Aug-05 15:39

Left handed in a right handed world
It is so frustrating being left handed in a right handed world. Given that we make up one in ten of the population you would think we would be accommodated a little better.
27-Jul-05 16:55

Why do the British queue so much?
Why do we always have to queue in this country? It seems that we are a nation that is obsessed with queuing for just about everything.
6-Jul-05 17:07

Charity fundraisers in the street are annoying
My gripe with charity fundraisers has been triggered by recently having to run the gauntlet several times at a London tube station. There they are, shaking their tins at you!
27-Jun-05 16:00

I think we need Faslane and Trident for security
Well you can call them what you like, tree huggers, soap dodgers or hippies but they all amount to the same thing and that is a bunch of crazy people who would quite happily leave our country defenceless!  
23-Aug-04 16:18

Women who don't buy a round of drinks
I'm willing to bet that like me alot of you men have gone to a pub or club with a group of both male and female friends. Whilst us guys understand the basic social system of buying drinks in rounds;
29-May-02 16:40

Public grief and crying on TV is so fake
Here we are again; a Royal funeral and Joe and Josephine Public are on the TV news pouring their hearts out in the most personal way possible about what the Queen Mother meant to them.
14-Apr-02 10:00

Getting poked with an umbrella on the train or bus
It’s that time of year again when city workers like me dread the trip into work on rainy days as we battle through crowds of other commuters carrying deadly weapons.
7-Oct-01 14:00