what really grinds your gears?

[southbiochem]

Oh Southbiochem, where to start with you ...

Well, the USA was the first "US," as far as the first Americans knew it was going to be the only US. When the United States of Mexico established itself as a nation I doubt any of the Americans or Mexicans cared about the USA being US of "A."
Originally the 13 colonies that became the first states were as divided as the north and south were in the American civil war. To them each of those liberated colonies should be a "state" - the old definition meaning country. Only those thirteen countries ("states") should be united. That is why it is the United "States" even though it is all one nation state. Gradually over time many Americans identified themselves as "Americans" over "New Englanders," "Yankees," "Pennsylvanians," etc.
As far as copyright infringement goes Cristoforo Colombo probably should have had the rights of the names of the continents over Amerigo Vespucci. At least some places in the Americas are named after their native american names, even if the words were corrupted.
After typing everything I just typed I am beginning to feel as though I took everything you just said way, way, way too seriously.
Or maybe you're serious about that sort of thing.

Probably so, Master Chase...

Serious.....mmmmm...it really depends on the folk that says it..

Here at least I've hardly had any issues with people constantly saying "America" to refer to the US, cause more often than not GS folks are nice, gentle people..I take it to be something that most people is accustomed to do...like a reflex or so

A few folks in the "real world" have been bigoted and rude and on the stance that "America should rule the world"...and that's when "America" gets me pissed off..

this have been tourists I have heard (who speak loudly and openly about such things thinking no one in this side of the world can understand English)..

Other Americans I've met have not been like that at all, hence I've never had any problems with them either

other things I read and bother me, and mostly come from US politicians, like that comment John Kerry made about "Latin America is the backyard of the US" in April or something..

As for you, Tinkles, Bowyn, Wade, mbennet....etc...you can all say "America" as many times as you like and I won't really mind..mile:

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Well Latin America is in our backyard, and conversely the States of the United America are in your backyard - mostly, putten near.....

this have been tourists I have heard

Oh yeah... Americans, especially as tourists, are a horrible thing...

[Ekwarph]

Two specific things came to mind today:

1. I appreciate it when people use their turn signals to tell me when they are going to merge into my lane. I recognize this and allow them in safely. Instead, every driver here uses their signals to tell me that they are already 75% of the way in my lane and are about to hit me. That is... if they even use them at all.
.

So true...
I hate other drivers when I drive...
-Those who don't put their turn signal
-Those who are right in your arse when you drive at maximum speed
-Those who take 5 years to move off once the light is green
-Motorcycles driving like assholes
etc.

[starbelly]

Not sure if this qualifies as a peeve, but I can't STAND when I see people lie and know they are lying to someone else— the act of making someone think you're one thing and concealing the truth disgusts me. I've known several people who I legitimately believe to be pathological liars and I can't deal with that level of deception going on around me. It drives me mad.

[havikryan]

As a cyclist I hate other cyclists who don't show their direction...

[MisterTinkles]

Friends who make plans with you, then never show up or call. Then you find out they went out with somebody else and had fun.

[NerdyGiant23]

Friends who make plans with you, then never show up or call. Then you find out they went out with somebody else and had fun.

OMG I hate that!!! I dumped a guy for doing that to me, I still have him messaging me to give him another chance from time to time too... Grrr...

[MisterTinkles]

As a cyclist I hate other cyclists who don't show their direction...

Huh?

Is this what you mean?

[mbennet35]

Friends who make plans with you, then never show up or call. Then you find out they went out with somebody else and had fun.

Happens to me all the time. I gave up a long time on going out and hanging with friends.

Oh and a couple of times my friends have picked me up then decided to leave me at the movies or something to hang out with someone else and then I am stuck there and have to walk home.

[Expat]

People obsessed with discussing their "pet peeve," as it is usually something very standard that nobody likes.

Ooh. You hate when people are dishonest? How unique!