As you all know by now, I’m a pretty open book to those around me.

And maybe strangers, as well, since sometimes my bad poker face gives my emotions away quicker than Usain Bolt runs a quarter-mile, yo.

I’m Italian, my friends, what can I say?

And while I try to be happy and agreeable most of the time — I said TRY, people! — I’d be fibbing if I said I’m immune to the occasional mild irritation. (Read: I’ve got some pet peeves, my peeps.)

According to an article from Psychology Today, the top three pet peeves for American employees in 2020 were: 1) malfunctioning / slow computers and software; 2) when co-workers didn’t wash their hands after using the restroom (not sure who the heck admitted to that?); and 3), when co-workers came into work sick.

But apparently these three things are in some solid and plentiful company, a’ight?

Dictionary.com defines a pet peeve is “something that a particular person finds especially annoying.”

The biggest and most common pet peeves listed by the big brains behind that site, and frankly, by many of my closest pals whose names are being held to protect the annoyed, er, innocent, include:

1) Chewing sounds / noises.

Being frustrated by the sound someone makes when eating a crunchy apple or slurping a bowl of soup is a pretty natural reaction, it seems. But there is actually a bonafide medical condition, called misophonia. This which causes people to have strong reactions to specific sounds. People with misophonia can become frustrated or even enraged by repetitive eating sounds.

Exhibit A: My son, Kyle, may or may not have threatened my well-being if I didn’t stop chewing like a sow lopping up slop.

2) Repetitive tapping.

Whether it’s the tapping of a pencil, pen or foot, nonstop tapping can not only be annoying, but pretty distracting, too. What? Sometimes I like to pretend I’m Ringo Starr; your point is?

3) Interrupting during a conversation.

We all know someone who won’t let us get three words in before they’re already talking about something else over us. And it can be pretty darn maddening, to be sure.

4) Texting during a meal.

If you’ve ever gone out to dinner with a friend or partner or, most often, your child, only to have them stare at their phone the entire meal, you probably already know how annoying this can be.

And no, this generation’s young’uns didn’t get the PLEASE LOOK AT ME WHEN I’M SPEAKING WITH YOU memo. Hmpf.

5) Taking phone calls in public.

It’s one thing to take a phone call on a busy city street or in an empty park. It’s another thing to take one in a peaceful, quiet coffee shop where people are working, or FaceTiming without headphones.

There’s no reason why you should be taking video calls in public without headphones on. Not everyone wants to hear the back-and-forth of your Aunt Gertrude’s colonoscopy, capsice?

6) Throat-clearing / coughing noises.

Similar to chewing and foot tapping, throat clearing and coughing noises can be pretty repetitive for some people without them even realizing it, and therefore, pretty annoying. Ahem.

7) Scraping silverware.

Whether someone is scraping their silverware on their teeth or on their plate when they eat, this repetitive sound can be akin to nails on a chalkboard. It’s also pretty rude, according to traditional etiquette rules.

8) Columnists who ramble on and on.

Hee!

• Kimerer is a columnist who lets you ramble back about your pet peeves. Contact her via pkimerer@zoominternet.net.