Bug List

Here is my list of twenty things that bug me.


1. People who cough or sneeze into their hands instead of their elbow.

This bug exists because some people were taught to cover their cough/sneeze into their hands to avoid spreading their germs to others. However, this is counterintuitive since the germs from their hands are transferred to other surfaces when touched.

2. People who are constantly on their phone when I am around them, but don't answer my texts/calls.

This bug exists either because people choose to actively ignore my incoming calls and texts, and then stay on their phone during a boring situation, or because people don't recognize the appropriate times to be on their phone and when to answer calls/texts.

3. Wasps that won't leave me alone when I am exercising outside.

This bug exists because wasps mostly exist outside. They are flying around for whatever reason, but their presence hinders my ability to exercise when nearby.

4. The cops in my hometown constantly set up speed traps on Lockwood Blvd.

This bug exists because Lockwood is 35 mph, and people generally speed on this road. Lockwood has many residential neighborhoods and a high school on the road, so cops see it as the perfect place to give someone a ticket.

5. Ordering my food in advance and when I am supposed to pick it up, it is not ready.

This bug exists due to the misuse of time or a lack of proper resources. Workers may be understaffed, so they aren't able to have my order ready at the pick-up time. It's also possible that the workers ignore the order until it is time to pick it up, causing a delay in receiving my food.

6. People who don't move forward a few seconds after the light turns green, even if other cars are honking behind them.

This bug exists because people are on their phones or distracted by something else and not paying attention to the light.

7. Putting in new contacts that are already ripped.

This bug exists because contacts are mass-produced. Some contacts that are ripped unfortunately make it out to the packaging and sale stage, causing for some faulty contacts in my order.

8. Many pairs of pants will fit my legs but are too big for my waist and vice versa. 

This bug exists because the pairs of pants I buy are sold by a large company who produces clothes based on a specific sizing chart. They don't have the option to alter pants for petite people due to mass production.

9. Consistently receiving the wrong drive-thru order at Popeyes in my hometown. 

This bug exists because the workers are pressed for time in a drive-thru and they don't always check to make sure the order is correct. It is also possible that miscommunication occurs in terms of what meals are already in the bag, causing me to not receive my food.

10. The plastic packaging used to enclose scissors and other products is almost impossible to open.

This bug exists because hard plastic is very durable and keeps the product safe. However, it is very hard to open without scissors, which is counterintuitive if the product you are trying to open is scissors.

11. So many delicious foods (like granola bars or desserts) contain nuts.

This bug exists because nuts are a very popular food, and many people love to eat nuts with dessert or in granola bars. The manufacturer of these products recognize the popularity and make many foods with nuts in them.


12. When I get hangnails, they pull off my skin when I try to get rid of them.

This bug exists because I tend to get a lot of hangnails, and when I try to gently pull them off, a whole part of my skin rips off. It's also possible that I am not doing anything actively to prevent hangnails.

13. People who jaywalk at the corner of University Ave. and 13th St in Gainesville.

This bug exists because some people don't have the patience to wait for the crosswalk to open up. They ignore the cars who have the right of way and proceed to walk anyways.

14. People who smoke on a patio that is outside, but is slightly enclosed so the smoke stays in the air.

This bug exists because some people still smoke, and they may think that because they are on a patio outside, the smoke will easily go away. However, many patios are slightly enclosed, causing the smoke to take longer to disappear.

15. When I write with a pen, it smears the ink all over the paper. 

This bug exists because the ink isn't dry when my hand grazes over the paper.

16. During certain times of the year, lovebugs swarm in one area or constantly follow me.

This bug exists because lovebugs invaded Florida, and when it is lovebug season, it is miserable to go outside without getting swarmed by them.

17. The traffic is so bad on 13th St in Gainesville at 5pm, it takes me 15 minutes to drive .5 miles.

This bug exists because 5 pm is usually rush hour, and everyone is traveling on 13th St. to go home. The road isn't big enough for the number of cars that use it.

18. My neighbors in my hometown have kids who scream very loud every day in the afternoon.

This bug exists because my neighbors have young kids. The kids either don't understand that they shouldn't scream so loud that the whole street hears them, or the parents decided not to correct their behavior.

19. Some hair ties break when I try to use them for the first time.

This bug exists because some hair ties I use do not stretch that far, causing them to snap when I try to stretch them.

20. When I paint my nails, some nail polish will chip right after, even if I use a topcoat.

This bug exists because either the nail polish I use is not that good of quality, or after I paint my nails, I participate in activities that ruin my nails.

Reflection

When coming up with this list, I initially found it quite challenging. The first day was the hardest, and I came up with about five bugs before I couldn't think of anymore. To combat this, I wrote three things that bugged me every day until I came up with a list of 20. By breaking down the assignment, it was much easier to come up with a list. Some days I could think of more than three, so the assignment took me about 4 days to complete. I think I found this assignment difficult because I don't normally think of things or instances that bother me, so it was hard to recall 20 items or events that bothered me. However, once I came up with the strategy to write down three bugs every day, the assignment wasn't as difficult.