Pet Peeves List: 100 Popular Examples

We can learn a lot about each other by talking about what we like. We can also develop a bond by sharing our dislikes. This is where pet peeves come in. Everyone has something that irritates them deeply on a personal level, and for that reason, sharing pet peeves has become a common icebreaker or conversation starter. If there is something small that annoys you, there’s a good chance that it annoys other people. These pet peeves are often shared in group settings. However, it can be difficult to think of pet peeves on the spot. For that reason, we’ve put together a large list of some of the most common pet peeves. Read through the list below and identify which pet peeves resonate with you the most.

What are Pet Peeves?

Pet peeves are small things that annoy someone much more than they should. These are typically minor every day habits or inconveniences. For example, someone who is really into movies might say that their pet peeve is when people talk during movies. Pet peeves are usually things that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives, and if they really bother someone then it is their personal pet peeve.

Where did the Phrase “Pet Peeve” Come From?

The word “pet” means favorite, or something that is particularly cherished. The word “peeve” means an annoyance. When combining the two words, it makes a phrase meaning one’s favorite annoyance. It is meant to be a bit ironic, because you normally don’t like annoyances, but it shows that we can have favorites among things we don’t like.

Pet Peeve Examples

Pet peeves are usually small, everyday behaviors that may seem harmless but become annoying when they happen again and again. When choosing a pet peeve to share with others, consider picking one that is relatable and common enough that most people have experienced it at least once. Don’t pick anything that is mean or aggressive, as that defeats the harmless purpose of pet peeves.

Here are some common examples of pet peeves: chewing loudly, people who are late, being interrupted while talking, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, talking during movies, and not returning shopping carts. These small actions aren’t big problems on their own, but over time, they can become frustrating to some.

Pet Peeve Lists

Most Common Pet Peeves

1. Chewing food loudly
2. Talking with food in your mouth
3. Being late without letting
4. Interrupting others while they’re speaking
5. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink
6. Leaving lights on in empty rooms
7. Slamming doors
8. Talking during movies
9. Using your phone during conversations
10. Playing music or videos loudly in public
11. Cutting in line
12. Not returning shopping carts
13. Walking slowly on the sidewalk
14. Being rude to waiters or service workers
15. Borrowing things and not returning them
16. People who litter
17. People who don’t do any work in group projects
18. Clicking pens or tapping fingers nonstop
19. Leaving the toilet seat up
20. The sound of nails on a chalkboard

Biggest Pet Peeves

21. Not cleaning up after yourself
22. People who stand too close to you
23. Strangers having loud phone calls in public
24. One-word text replies like “k” or “fine”
25. Overusing emojis
26. Websites with paywalls
27. Constantly complaining
28. Ignoring messages but staying active online
29. Not following basic rules
30. Being messy in shared spaces
31. Repeating the same story over and over
32. Making plans and canceling last minute
33. Not saying “please” or “thank you”
34. Playing videos without headphones
35. Wifi signals that cut out
36. Taking credit for someone else’s work
37. Leaving crumbs on counters or tables
38. Not flushing the toilet
39. Leaving empty containers in the fridge
40. Having to wait for the bathroom
41. Not replacing the toilet paper roll
42. Talking over others instead of listening
43. Saying “no offense” before being offensive
44. Canceling plans at the last minute
45. Long waiting times at restaurants
46. Using someone else’s stuff without asking
47. Driving too slowly in the fast lane
48. Cutting people off in traffic
49. Cluttered and dirty cars
50. Dragging feet when walking

Best Pet Peeves

51. People who chew with their mouth open
52. Leaving wet towels on the floor
53. Leaving cabinets or drawers open
54. People who crack their knuckles
55. When someone says “like” way too much
56. Tailgating while driving
57. One-uppers
58. Parking on the line
59. Parking in a handicap spot
60. When people wear too much cologne
61. Getting unsolicited advice
62. Speakerphone conversations in public
63. Texting during a meal
64. People who don’t tip servers
65. People who are rude to waiters
66. Not using turn signals
67. Really bright headlights
68. People who reply all to an email when it is not necessary
69. Standing in doorways or blocking entrances
70. Misusing slang terms
71. People who take forever to take a picture
72. Spoiling shows or movies
73. Chewing gum loudly
74. Correcting people over small mistakes
75. Not knocking before entering

Funny Pet Peeves

76. The shopping cart with one bad wheel
77. Socks sliding down inside your shoes
78. Autocorrect changing the correct word
79. Unstable tables at restaurants
80. People who slam car doors
81. Itchy tags on shirts
82. Printers that are impossible to connect to
83. Websites asking to accept cookies every visit
84. Fitted sheets that refuse to stay on
85. Needing to pee as soon as you lay in bed
86. People who clap off beat at concerts
87. Public bathroom stalls with big gaps
88. People who honk as soon as the light turns green
89. People on the shoulders of others at concerts
90. Emails marked “URGENT” that absolutely are not
91. People who finish your sentence incorrectly
92. Slow people at the self checkout line
93. Nose picking
94. Sneezing into your hand instead of elbow
95. Clapping when an airplane lands
96. Clapping at the end of a movie
97. People who text at the movie theater
98. Not picking up your dog’s poop
99. People overextending their space in an airplane seat
100. People who ask for your snacks