Humans act and behave differently, and as we continue to relate to each other, it's easy to detect those small things that annoy or irritate us from our fellow beings. This is commonly regarded as pet peeves, and it's usually uncomfortable when it happens repeatedly.
The same way you have those little things that irritate you from someone, the same way another person has something about your habits that irritates him or her. I have a long list of pet peeves, but in all, I didn't allow it to end my relationship with my partner or friends but rather found a way to discuss it so it can be curtailed to a large extent.
There's this trait my partner possesses, which is my pet peeve, and I will tell you about how I managed it instead of allowing it to affect my relationship with him.
It's simply not saying "please" or "thank you!
First off, I tried to understand how he behaves that way and then accept our differences first to help lessen the way I get irritated with such pet peeves. There's a way you talk to someone by using a simple magic word, let's say, please help me clean this shoe, or please help me wash those clothes over there, and then it sends a message of value and respect other than, "wash these clothes for me", "clean this pam", etc. It sounds like a command, and I detest it. If you really want me to do something for you, then you should learn to say "please", as simple as that, because if you command me, you are wasting your time. As simple as this may sound, it's one of my pet peeves, and I can hardly ignore it from anyone close to me.
The second part of it is "thank you"! C'mon, it's just an ordinary thank you for seeing my effort at home or a contribution of any kind. My partner lacked this kind of expression, but according to him, before I helped him manage it, he said deep down within him, he acknowledges whatever I do but doesn't find it necessary to say thank you. Even after overworking myself for you or getting you a present, you can't say an ordinary thank you? Oh boy... this was annoying back then, but then, it's not enough to end my relationship with him. I'd rather set up an open communication and discuss each of our pet peeves.
Surprisingly, he told me one about me, which was irritating him but has been managing it for peace to reign, hehehe. Hmmm, he said mine was interrupting while he is speaking to me. Honestly, I got that A+ before, but I am now a changed child, hahaha. The thing is that it's impatience that caused me that. I am always in a hurry to express myself before he finishes talking, but ever since we talked about it and hubby told me that it's a sign of disrespect, I have strived to stop such a habit. I would rather wear patience like a garment and allow him to express himself as long as he can over an issue, before I come in to say whatever I have to say.
Overall, open communication helped me fix those pet peeves that wanted to make our relationship unhealthy.
There you have it, my pet peeves regarding my relationship and how I reacted to it.
Join Hive Naija's weekly prompt and tell us about your pet peeves and maybe if it made you end your relationship with someone?.
Images are mine