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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Stupid things that annoy you

263 replies

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 16:30

I know this is probably stupid because I don’t pay the bill, it doesn’t impact on me directly and frankly why is it any of my business… but it really aggravates me when a retail outlet has moved premises or gone out of business but the bloody lights are still on. Surely it’s wasting resources and not brilliant for the environment? Why didn’t the person who was last to lock up flick the switch?! Is there a reason? Does maybe the landlord require the lights to be on for security reasons or something? It really does drive me nuts when I walk past a place that isn’t in use and the lights are on. And breathe… tell me stupid things that annoy you too so that I don’t feel so alone!

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 18/02/2026 18:16

People who watch videos or listen to music on buses without headphones
People who use the phrase “my little family”
People who turn “being an introvert” into their entire personality
People who overstress about arrangements for things weeks or months away (no, its not necessary in February for me to tell you what train I am taking to your wedding in June, I have RSVPed and that will have to do for now)
People who walk hand in hand on pavements blocking other people from moving

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 18:15

CrushingOnRubies · 18/02/2026 18:14

Local supermarket the aisle sign says cooked meat in aisle 5. Cooked chicken is in aisle 6. catches me out everytime. Also cream sign is aisle 4. It’s at the end of the aisle and there is no suggestion that this the case and dos that mean it’s aisle 3 or 4?

canned tomato’s don’t have a sign but it’s not in the same aisle as other canned vegetables.

for a time tea and coffee were in separate aisles. Someone with sense put them back together again.

Oh I totally agree with the aisle sign thing!

OP posts:
SilentBob · 18/02/2026 18:15

The secondary lids on plastic milk bottles

Phone chargers/USB cables that require you to put them in 3 times in 3 different ways before they’ll do their damn jobs

Getting yeeted back into a room you’re trying to leave by catching a sleeve/pocket on a door handle

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 18:14

TheCriticalThinker · 18/02/2026 18:13

People on Mumsnet moaning about the environment!

You've literally done the most environmentally unfriendly thing possible - have children

Directed at me because of my first post? No kids, can’t have them, so…

OP posts:
CrushingOnRubies · 18/02/2026 18:14

Local supermarket the aisle sign says cooked meat in aisle 5. Cooked chicken is in aisle 6. catches me out everytime. Also cream sign is aisle 4. It’s at the end of the aisle and there is no suggestion that this the case and dos that mean it’s aisle 3 or 4?

canned tomato’s don’t have a sign but it’s not in the same aisle as other canned vegetables.

for a time tea and coffee were in separate aisles. Someone with sense put them back together again.

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 18:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Nice mean girl vibes.

OP posts:
TheCriticalThinker · 18/02/2026 18:13

People on Mumsnet moaning about the environment!

You've literally done the most environmentally unfriendly thing possible - have children

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 18/02/2026 18:11

Chipper28 · 18/02/2026 17:39

People who say they don't vote, watch the news or know what's happening in the world because it's "too depressing." Literally none of my business and they're probably a lot happier and less anxious than I am, but it drives me insane as I think it's the height of ignorance.

There are times when I have avoided reading/watching the news, because eimething was damaging my mental health and making me very depressed, @Chipper28, but it is always a short term issue, and I always go back to watching the news. I think it is OK to take a break from real life, but not to avoid it forever.

Oioiqueen · 18/02/2026 18:11

Lack of critical thinking and taking their information from one source rather than reading around at different viewpoints

People's lack of awareness of others around them and will just stop walking right in front of you.

People who are incapable of reading height signs on flooded ford's and then get stranded in deep water.

Glasgowgal200 · 18/02/2026 18:11

Pancakesbythedozen · 18/02/2026 16:50

People who let their dc stand in trolleys..
People who overtake then drop their speed..
People who expect special treatment because they have dc.
People who give toddlers phones in their buggy.

Also children sitting on the benches at the packing area if Lidl/Aldi

Heatedrival · 18/02/2026 18:10

Personalised number plates.

People who say 24/7
People who say picky bits.
Banter
Gender reveals.
Bridal showers.
WhatsApp groups - Not family ones.
Reform.
Brexit
People who cut down perfectly healthy trees.

AlbieJiggered · 18/02/2026 18:08

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SophieJo · 18/02/2026 18:03

Shops with doors wide open in winter and heater blasting away above. In a charity shop I asked them why they did this and apparently it’s a directive from head office to encourage footfall. It’s also an incredible waste of electricity.

impartialusername · 18/02/2026 18:02

People who walk their dogs off lead in busy public places with children around then say ‘sorry he’s just being friendly’ I don’t care get your dog away from my baby. Or even more so on a cycle/ running path and they have zero recall !

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:59

AlbieJiggered · 18/02/2026 17:57

@nopiesleftinthisvehicle , I had one outside my house for 3 hours one evening. He left after I photographed his car and started dialling. He's not been back. It was as creepy as F.

@Arlanymor , I can read dictionaries and I use words correctly.

It’s common parlance and in the OED as referenced by a previous poster. I split infinitives too - language evolves. There was absolutely no need for you to be nasty either.

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1000StrawberryLollies · 18/02/2026 17:58

People who doggedly stick to their incorrect view, even after being shown the evidence.
People who correct others' language use on internet forums, especially when they do so incorrectly.

AlbieJiggered · 18/02/2026 17:57

@nopiesleftinthisvehicle , I had one outside my house for 3 hours one evening. He left after I photographed his car and started dialling. He's not been back. It was as creepy as F.

@Arlanymor , I can read dictionaries and I use words correctly.

TansySorrel · 18/02/2026 17:55

When an adult writes "You gave me a giggle there OP" or "I hope you don't mind I had a little giggle at what you wrote"
It just sounds so infantile!

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:53

BillieWiper · 18/02/2026 17:52

I think it sums up the situation with an asset stripped business doesn't it. 'The lights are on, but you're not home'.

Yes excellent metaphor really!

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Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:52

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 18/02/2026 17:47

Ooh, if we're talking about businesses that have ceased to trade - can I put in a mention for the ones that get left up on shopping centre websites and info boards? Our local large shopping centre used to have a Jysk and I checked online where it showed as still being there, it was still on the big board as you drive up to the shopping centre - but the actual shop itself closed down about six months ago. Apparently. As I now know, having driven thirty odd miles to go there.

I’ve done this too! What was particularly annoying was that it was a Halfords and I really, really needed someone to look at my brakes before driving home from Snowdon! This one hit hard, I still remember how I felt that day…

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 18/02/2026 17:52

I think it sums up the situation with an asset stripped business doesn't it. 'The lights are on, but you're not home'.

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:51

AlbieJiggered · 18/02/2026 17:44

People who can't take criticism.
Posters who believe they are always right.
People who argue that their misuse of a word isn't wrong

People who can’t read dictionaries?

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nopiesleftinthisvehicle · 18/02/2026 17:49

People who sit in their car with their engine running and full headlights blasting, for hours at a time.
A repeat offender rocks up in my street on a nightly basis and does this.

After an hour or so they just leave again, without collecting anyone. 🤷

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 18/02/2026 17:47

Ooh, if we're talking about businesses that have ceased to trade - can I put in a mention for the ones that get left up on shopping centre websites and info boards? Our local large shopping centre used to have a Jysk and I checked online where it showed as still being there, it was still on the big board as you drive up to the shopping centre - but the actual shop itself closed down about six months ago. Apparently. As I now know, having driven thirty odd miles to go there.

youalright · 18/02/2026 17:46

People who take Christmas decorations down on boxing day.
People who are oblivious to there surroundings and walk slowly.
People who undereat and make a performance out of it
People who are tight with money
People who take their dogs everywhere with them
People who crack their knuckles
People who point out spelling errors
People who sneeze more then 3 times in a row
People who pull out in front of you then drive at 20 miles an hour