I have always had issues with repetitive noises. People who tack tack tack credit cards on counter tops, for example. If it goes on for more than a minute, I'm going to start to get a little edgy. Or this one time, this guy on the plane next to me kept snapping his pen open and closed, open and closed, open and closed. I had horrible visions of trying to live through that for the entire flight. The worst was when this guy next to me in the library did this weird tapping thing with the heel of his shoes - first his left, then his right. Then he would pick up the speed. Then do a little drumbeat. Then take it down a notch. The sound was resonating throughout the library and I was thinking, "My God, how can you not be aware of how annoying that is to everyone around you?"
The problem for me right now is that The Boy clears his throat literally every 30 seconds. We're both working (in silence) and I keep hearing the "ahahahaeemmmm" of the clearing. I cannot freakin stand it. But how do you ask somebody "OH MY GOD COULD YOU PLEASE STOP CLEARING YOUR DAMN THROAT ALREADY???" without coming across as aggravated and psychotic as you really feel?
The worst part is that I have totally made clear to him that he needs to stop doing that or I am going to explode/implode (we're not sure which, yet). My theory is that people who make repetitive sounds cannot possibly be aware of what they're doing, or they would know to STOP THE MADNESS.
Usually, I try to egg him into drinking some tea, because it makes him do it less. The technique is not working today.
Speaking of The Boy, I just walked in on him doing these really pathetic stretches in the living room.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Computer doctors suggest that you do exercises, so I will..." he said, as he bent to touch his toes.
"Yeah, well, it's no good to sit for TWELVE STRAIGHT HOURS," I offered.
He then proceeded to lift his new keyboard (wireless) and read, from a small sticker on the underside: "Doctors believe that sitting for extended periods of time can lead to back, shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain. To keep from suffering from these problems, be sure to stretch regularly. Take pauses twice every hour. Walk around for a few minutes."
Does that seem weird? I mean, people should do that anyway, but isn't it strange to have a WARNING LABEL on keyboards?
I always like the way you write about the Boy and you- it's more real then the way some write about their SO. I mean, it's obvious your caring for him, but there's still a lot of reality. Like getting annoyed at someone clearing their throat, and walking in on him doing some stretches cause he read about it on a keyboard warning. It's cute, but doesn't make me want to throw up. Anyway. :)
I think this probably my favorite comment I have ever gotten. Thank you.
My office is two doors down from a guy who constantly clears his throat. I sit at my desk and get more and more angry as the day passes. I think can I tell him politely that he needs to see a doctor about this condition? No, I can't because HE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TALK TO HIM IN A POLITE MANNER.
I'm glad to know that someone else gets aggravated about this madness.