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If there is one thing that will make me want to write a really crabby post it's the weather. No shortage of inspiration then I can hear you say. There is another thing that makes my literary wheels start to turn, namely people who don't listen.

Some people simply get on a roll and love the sound of their own voice so much that you can't get a word in edgeways. Now my idea of a fruitful conversation is one where all participants are keenly tuned in to one another.

My friend and I have such conversations. He is a very smart guy, and I love to have detailed conversations with him about...well about everything really. We interrupt each other as soon as he or I have gotten the point. This saves endless droning on by him or me. As soon as we think of things, we say them. If I say something or comment while he is in full flow, he simply stops, listens, makes a quick judgement on whether I have in fact understood, then continues or lets me continue, based on that judgement.

A conversation is a two way thing. It enlightens and enriches . Its not competitive. It should be a learning process for all involved.

You might think that working in the complaints department would make one really cranky and aggressive. Well actually I am a very calm person. It takes a lot to get me annoyed. People can say what they like to me, I take it with a grain of salt. It's a whole other thing entirely though when I am driving.

There are three kinds of driver that annoy me. The one that is merging with traffic on the motorway but regardless of how the traffic is, this person insists on going to the end of the slip road, right down to the pointy part and then pulls straight into the lane. The other is the person who insists on ignoring the merging car and doesn't move over to facilitate it. Finally there is the solo traveller, he/she is alone on the road, or so they seem to think. This one sets up camp in the right lane and although the left lane is moving at the same pace or even faster will not pull into the left lane, and this at 100 in a 120 zone.

I have seen this cause other cars to pass on the inside/left side in what is a highly illegal move. Personally I just ease up beside them in the left lane , glare in my most threatening manner and then fall back, indicate, and move in behind them in the right lane and hope they will get the message.

Most of the things that annoy me about everday daily life are the result of people living under the impression that the world has a population of one. These people are blissfully unaware that every move they make has an effect on something or someone. Often the boss bemoans the fact that good manners and friendly behaviour have been replaced by rudeness and earphoned disconnection. It's not often I agree with him but he may have a point.