Grumpy old students
Are the annoyances of student life stressing you out? Chris Cowan examines how to avoid becoming grumpy before your time
Most people, at some point or another, will have seen the BBC programme ‘Grumpy Old Men.’ Everyone certainly has heard an older relative moan and whinge about the various things which justify their hazy impression of the ‘good old days.’ But why must you be old - or more ‘mature’- to be in a position to have a chip, or indeed an entire potato, on your shoulder? Perhaps people feel the younger generations are ill qualified due to a lack of life experiences, yet with what I have experienced already, how much grumpier can I get?
I don’t mean about the huge things like taxes and crime, but the niggling, smaller but oh-so-much-more irritating issues. The consequences of not sorting out people that are annoying is scary: a lifetime of bitching behind their backs. Perhaps a naming and shaming punishment should be adopted? Or by highlighting the problems, perhaps we can aim to halt the offenders early in their actions before they become untameable.
I’m sure Australia was wonderful, the drink Milo is nice and the weather so much better, but we’re in Northern England, so deal with it…
Firstly what qualifies something to be annoying? It could be anything from crazy frogs to uneven layouts in rooms. Annoyance is an individual matter. But the convenience of letting these things go by is too great. Maybe it’s time to take a stand and say something. But how do they affect us in the (sometimes) sunny town of York? What could be more productive, and potentially friend-saving, in this first edition of the academic year, than flagging the quickest ways to alienate yourself from fellow students?
The first in a long line of such ‘issues’ is the Aussie gap year experience student. I myself took a gap year, and I by no means think going ‘down under’ to be a waste. However, it can spawn something quite frightening - a rambling backpacker, who visited the set of Neighbours, met some of the cast, spent their time with fellow Brits and profess it to be the single greatest place - on earth. You, of course, cannot possibly understand the importance of this experience as you didn’t go. I beg of anyone reading this who took a gap year and did the above activities: mention it, fine, but don’t go on about it! I’m sure it was wonderful, and the drink Milo is nice, the weather so much better, but we’re in Northern England, so deal with it…
They prey on their kitchen-mates by consuming as much space and as many functions of these already limited cookers as is humanly possible.
Perhaps even more annoying is the less verbal, hidden offender - namely the Baby Belling abusers. The lone jacket potato left in there for days at a time, the endlessly boiled pasta or soup. They prey on their kitchen-mates by consuming as much space and as many functions of these already limited cookers as is humanly possible. Perhaps the best way to deal with them is to place a note for them, reminding them of the University’s strict rules on leaving cooking equipment unattended while in use. Yes it’s a bit anal, but think of the greater good: more people being fed.
There’s only one kitchen-based crime which outdoes this: the frozen bread culprit. Especially Tesco Value bread. Firstly, it takes up a lot of space. Secondly, people who freeze bread do so because they get through it slowly, so it’ll take up the space for a long time. The solution? Multiple! Share bread! It’s not expensive! Or buy half loaves! Or there’s always cutting your losses; it’s only 20p or so for a new loaf, hardly an extravagance. It’s not even the price of half a pint…
A more general bad habit that students are often guilty of is social snobbery. Although everyone has at one time or another had a pop at chavs and those who still rant on about their general existence really wind me up. Perhaps the chav is merely an upstanding member of society with the wrong outfit? It’s surprising how this level of pre-judgement based primarily on clothing is acceptable and widely encouraged in modern Britain.
What it comes down to is a lot of people having no particular reason to hate them besides the ‘associated trouble’ they bring, as publicised in fine publications such as the Daily Mail. In fact, recently, after a night out, I was walking home and the only people around at some ungodly hour were a local ‘group’ who rather helpfully pointed me in the right direction of my house. Overall they were fairly polite and nice. So rather than spending the entire time complaining about these groups, get a hobby! Check out the YUSU site, there are plenty of societies to join…
What with the new bus company’s ‘efficient’ way of processing people, another gripe has come to my attention, and this occurs daily. Whenever money or tickets need to be shown, there inevitably are ill-prepared people. They won’t get their wallet or card ready until the very last moment, in which time a small queue has formed behind them. Why not be a little bit prepared? Are you prolonging the length of time your wallet stays in your pocket? Is it some sort of widespread game of follow the leader? People should have a bit of initiative.
The worst example of this is at concerts. If people have queued all day, they are under no illusions as to why they’re there. They should be prepared with the ticket when they know the doors are about to open, so you can dash to the front and get a good spot. However there is always someone not ready, effectively making the long, cold, and often wet day of standing around entirely pointless.
I’m all for seriousness at the right times, in the same way that the rest of the time I like to be childish and say/think stupid things. However, there are a band of people who, regardless of the situation, sit there with a stony face, entirely unimpressed at any hint of sexual innuendo, unless of course, it’s through analysis of a great text of the English canon, or, worse, something muttered by a seminar leader. Lighten up! Or if you have to live in a bubble of smirks and frowns, please do so in a suitable newly erected building, some 69 yards from the campus where you have maths debates. Hardly childish, now, is it?
I’m sure people could come up with even more annoyances to write about, but I’d rather hope this article starts something: a movement towards the end of the really irritating things. Although who is to say that a lack of niggles would be good? We all secretly like a moan about something, it makes us feel better about ourselves. If we didn’t have outlets for our little bad habits, maybe they’d manifest themselves into an almighty ‘higher’ annoyance - perhaps not just hogging the Baby Belling, but doing a 6 month shop and freezing the entire contents. Either way, frozen bread and ranting Aussie gap yearers hold no sway with me.
