Please or to access all these features

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:
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

1000StrawberryLollies · 18/02/2026 17:43

tartyflette · 18/02/2026 16:38

People who don't know what the word 'aggravate' means.
(I realise I may well have already lost this battle. And I wouldn't normally comment but it's a small, silly thing as per the thread title, it does irritate me and it is relevant )

The OED disagrees. It can also mean:

6.a.
transitive. To exasperate (a person); to incense, embitter; to provoke, arouse the dislike, dissatisfaction, or concern of; (also in weakened use) to annoy or irritate. Now chiefly colloquial.

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.

Teenagequeenwithaloadedgun · 18/02/2026 17:39

Loads. My Room 101 would be an 8 hour special.

Mispronouncing words.
Cars with crap names.
Being cold.
Procedures that don't make sense.
Parking spaces that are too small.
No parking.
People pulling out in front of you then driving slowly.
Rubbish TV programmes presented by a celeb that has no connection to that particular thing. E.g. spoon bending with Tom Daley or diving with Uri Geller.
People who say their job is influencing or Tik Tok shop.
Reform.
Asparagus.

dizzydizzydizzy · 18/02/2026 17:36

Neighbour who left bags of dog shit on our drive while she was walking her dog (and quite often forget them on the way home).

People who say they don’t like looking at things. Eg neighbours’ solar panels

Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:33

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 18/02/2026 16:50

Baby on Board signs

Baby on Board signs walked so that Princess on Boards signs could run!

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:32

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/02/2026 16:47

With vacant premises oftentimes there will be security or live-in property guardians there to prevent the property being broken into and squatted. Even if not, lights on will help to deter vandalism and forced entry and yes, can be a condition of the landlord or the insurance.

I get annoyed by mixed use cycle-footpaths. Nobody likes them.

I think it must be a security thing. I just always think “Poor planet!”

Yes totally agree with the mixed use cycle paths - they don’t work for anyone do they? The opposite of what all users want!

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 18/02/2026 17:31

tartyflette · 18/02/2026 16:38

People who don't know what the word 'aggravate' means.
(I realise I may well have already lost this battle. And I wouldn't normally comment but it's a small, silly thing as per the thread title, it does irritate me and it is relevant )

Annoy and exasperate = aggravate. Perfectly acceptable use of the word. Unless you think that the ONLY meaning is to make something worse - i.e. aggravate the situation, which I think is the joke you were trying to make? Either way, using it interchangeably with ‘annoy’ is entirely fine.

OP posts:
OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 18/02/2026 16:50

Baby on Board signs

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.

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/02/2026 16:47

With vacant premises oftentimes there will be security or live-in property guardians there to prevent the property being broken into and squatted. Even if not, lights on will help to deter vandalism and forced entry and yes, can be a condition of the landlord or the insurance.

I get annoyed by mixed use cycle-footpaths. Nobody likes them.

tartyflette · 18/02/2026 16:38

People who don't know what the word 'aggravate' means.
(I realise I may well have already lost this battle. And I wouldn't normally comment but it's a small, silly thing as per the thread title, it does irritate me and it is relevant )

SemiSober · 18/02/2026 16:31

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!

Puddles and mounds of wet leaves

Swipe left for the next trending thread