Pet Peeve: Hey Freecyclers–Beggars Can’t Be Choosers!

Let me start by saying I am a big fan and frequent user of Freecycle, both to give and to receive. For the uninitiated, it’s an online community that started in Tucson AZ but now has groups worldwide. The purpose of Freecycle is to match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them, and so keeping usable items out of landfills. Most people post when they have items to get rid of, though it’s also considered OK–to a point–to post for an item you are seeking, in hopes someone has it sitting around and wants to be rid of it.

Most requests are reasonable but occasionally people will post wanted ads for cars, specific brands and models of cell phones, “stroller, winnie the pooh, must be in EXCELLENT condition,” things of that nature. Or they not only want it for free, but they demand that you deliver it to them as well. It just strikes me as a little nervy, when you are asking for someone to give you their stuff FOR FREE, to come across as so picky. Two posts already this morning: “Wanted–4 drawer dresser, need you to deliver”; and “Wanted–loveseat and coffee table, but nothing too ugly, please.”

Jeez, if you are so particular, trot down to the store and buy it yourself!

Pet Peeve: Stop Calling Me!!!

“No, she is not here. No, she hasn’t worked here for over a year, and even when she did, this was not her extension. Yes, your representatives have called here every day for two weeks now and I keep telling them the same thing. Yes, I appreciate that you are sorry for the inconvenience but so was the person who called yesterday. No, I do not have her home phone number. I’m begging you, will you please take this number off her account and stop calling here?!”

If they were phoning my home number, I would just make up an outrageous story and have some fun with them. But since they are calling my office, I feel like I have to be polite and professional. Still, how do you stop what have become harassing phone calls at the office?

Pet Peeve: Tangled Phone Cords

I like my phone cords to coil smoothly from base to receiver. With the evolution of phones to the cordless variety, this is less of an issue–except at my office, where corded phones are still the norm. When I left on maternity leave 4 months ago, the cord on my desk phone was in pristine condition. I came back last week to find a kinky, tangled mess. Whoever was working at my desk must have been stretching and pacing all over the office with that thing because it will no longer retract to its formerly smooth state. It’s been bothering me to the point of distraction. I’m considering sneaking into the conference room and swapping my cord with the nice one from that phone.