A POLL has revealed the UK’s biggest everyday irritations – including drivers who park over two spaces, potholes and being stuck on hold to customer service.
Owners who don’t pick up after their dog, slow walkers, and motorway middle-lane hoggers also grind our gears.
GettyThe poll revealed eating a proper breakfast might stop the things they find annoying from happening[/caption]
SWNSThe study has been commissioned by Weetabix which has launched a new TV ad[/caption]
Other gripes among the 2,000 adults polled include mind-boggling ‘are you a robot?’ online security tests, people who put bags on seats on public transport and self-service checkouts.
On average, those polled endure three ‘everyday irritations’ a day.
Commissioned by Weetabix which has launched a new TV ad to inspire the UK to get “back on track”, the research found 45 per cent ‘can’t remember’ the last time a day passed without something annoying happening.
A spokesperson said: “From potholes to slow walkers, these small irritations can pile up, but they’re all manageable.
“Our latest campaign stems from the realisation that many of these annoyances are solvable.”
The study found 67 per cent are more annoyed in general than ‘ever before’ – with 81 per cent of the opinion the UK needs ‘fixing.’
However eating a proper breakfast might stop the things they find annoying from happening in the first place, the survey indicated.
According to the research, 68 per cent are better prepared for the day ahead after a wholesome breakfast.
It also emerged the most frustrating time of day is 8am — right around breakfast time.
Over half of respondents (56 per cent) believe UK adults aren’t fuelling themselves ‘properly’ to face the day.
Among the reasons those polled are more irritated nowadays, 63 per cent believe fewer people are taking pride in doing things well.
Other theories include people being too busy (44 per cent) or too tired (31 per cent) to carry out tasks properly and having to struggle with large amounts of red tape (38 per cent).
Perhaps as a result, the study carried out through OnePoll found many (83 per cent) employ techniques to make everyday irritations more bearable.
These include taking deep breaths (35 per cent), listening to their favourite music (27 per cent) venting to friends, colleagues, or family (26 per cent) and having a decent breakfast (eight per cent).
The Weetabix spokesperson added: “It’s simple logic: fewer annoyances crop up when we’re all properly fuelled.
“A wholesome breakfast sets us up for the day ahead and makes us feel ready to tackle life’s curveballs head-on.
“We’re encouraging everyone to start their day in the best way – by getting the nourishment they need at breakfast, paving the way to a stronger, more resilient Britain.”
TOP 30 EVERYDAY IRRITATIONS:
Owners who don’t pick-up after their dog
Potholes
Being stuck on hold on the phone
Not using indicator signals while driving
Drivers who take up two parking spaces
Being told it’s an incorrect password
Slow walkers
Cyclists not using cycling paths
Not holding the door open for others behind them
Using up all the toilet paper and leaving the empty roll on the holder instead of replacing it
Not cleaning up after themselves in shared spaces
Middle-lane hogging
“Unexpected item in bagging area” / slow checkouts
Plans being cancelled last minute
People listening to music without pairing headphones on public transport
People putting the recyclable items in the general waste and vice versa
Putting their bags on seats on public transport
Really difficult “are you a robot” security tests online
When food goes out of date without you realising
When you think you’ve turned the plug switch on and you’ve been charging it
Someone sitting in your reserved seat on a train
When the shopping handle bags break
Umbrellas that blow inside out
When people reveal spoilers in TV shows
When your headphones aren’t charged when you go to use them
Someone putting an empty milk carton back in the fridge
Suspect VAR decisions
Family members not putting their shoes away
When face recognition software on your phone doesn’t recognise your face
Ignoring the “keep right” rule on escalators