Sweet sweat

There's a new show on the ABC called 'Grumpy Old Men'. I suppose it's a reality show of sorts based on research that men between the ages of about 35 to 55 are a lot more grumpy than anyone else, a panel of men talks about how annoyed they get by certain aspects of modern life. Now I can't go along with the statement that anyone in their thirties or even forties could be termed old, and the show is not that engaging except that, as a grumpy old woman, at the bad end of the fifties, I find I can relate to most of what they are complaining about.

I wonder how many readers, young or old are excessively annoyed by these things too.

Here are some of the things that drive the grumpy old men mad with annoyance, I've rated my annoyance levels with them at 1 to 5 with one being the lowest and 5 the highest. Some of them don't really annoy me, but that doesn't mean I find them attractive. Let me know how you feel.

Body piercings - we're talking the tongue, 6 earrings, belly button, eyebrow sort of thing here. Well they don't really annoy me but I do think they look exceedingly unattractive in excess.

Low hipsters and high shirts on women with beer bellies - as above but girls, please... if it doesn't enhance your appearance, don't slavishly follow fashion. Big bums and big guts on women or men are much more attractive when sedately covered by clothes.

Low hipsters that show thong underwear - puleeze they just look disgusting. The old men reckoned they were the equivalent of those short shorts on builders that show the bum crack when they bend over! They always remind me of the antique variety of womens' feminine hygeine products that used to be attached to a 'belt' so I find their appearance vaguely embarrassing.

Mobile phones - the poor old geezers feel left out by the technological revolution and resent anyone who enjoys mobile phones or computers. I only hate them when they talk loudly in a confined space where I can't avoid them and particularly when they have pointless, boring conversations. Not so bad when there's something juicy to eavesdrop on :). Rate 4 for these ones.

Computerised answering systems of the "press button 1 if you want" variety. Yep I reckon you don't have to be a grumpy old person to really hate those - 5 for me. Where do these businesses get off wasting my time listening to their options upon options, then making me wait 20 minutes while they tell me they value my call and an operator will be with me shortly. This is even worse when they also play terrible loud music or chimes while you wait, or worst of all give you an advertising spiel on their products.

They hate the feminist revolution because they no longer know how to behave. Is it still correct to open a door for a woman or give up their seat or will they be taken the wrong way and vilified? When women wear low cut clothing that shows their breasts, they don't know where to look. Oh grow up guys - get a life!

Ah, it was interesting seeing these men, many of whom I would have thought of as young, having such difficulty enjoying modern life.

Now that I analyse it, I don't really find any of these things overwhelmingly annoying - guess I mustn't be a grumpy old person after all!