Tiny Little Things That Cause You Irrational Rage

[Earl Aelfheah]

Cars which insist on overtaking at speed whilst I'm on my bike, only to slam on the breaks almost immediately in front of me because of a car coming the other way, or a speed bump. Crystal Palace Road is the worst for this. You'll often have the same car over take you 4-5 times at speed and very close only for you to cycle past it again 30 seconds later. Just slow down a little and keep to a more constant speed instead of buckarooing down the length of the street.

[Zebedee Tring]

Announcements on National Rail trains that "The train will be arriving shortly into London Euston". Why "into" when "at" is a perfectly good word?

[Otta]

Because they pull in to the platform?

[Zebedee Tring]

Surely they pull in adjacent to the platform, rather than crashing into it. At least that's what I would expect a safe railway system to achieve.

[Dopamine1979]

That is truly irrational ZT. Which is the point of the thread so well done.

[Earl Aelfheah]

When the train waits outside the station they say that it's "being held". It sounds like they're comforting it because all the platforms have been taken by other trains.

[Dopamine1979]

....or holding it hostage at gunpoint.

[the-e-dealer]

They often hold cars on motorways due to some incident or other. And there's the expression whats the hold up? I cant see the problem.

[Dopamine1979]

That's because you're being rational.

[the-e-dealer]

sorry must be the tablets.

[Zebedee Tring]

"The next station stop will be Milton Keynes".

No, the next STATION will be Milton Keynes. We don't need to know that the next time that the train stops will be at a red signal.

[the-e-dealer]

Surely that's because the next station(s) might be non stopping.

[Zebedee Tring]

Again far too rational. They never used to say "station stop" 30 years ago. Was that because people were more intelligent then and didn't need to have it pointed out to them that the train wouldn't be stopping at the next station? In the same way that they didn't have to be reminded to take their belongings with them and make sure that their flies were zipped up when leaving the train.

[the-e-dealer]

Or its a bit hot so bring some water and its been raining so it might be slippery or there's a cold going round so bring a hanky( I made that last one up)

[El Pibe]

they say "la proxima parada" in spain, I've never managed to get hot under the collar about it, but then the air conditioning is excellent, and you always get a seat.

[Loz]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> Surely that's because the next station(s) might be non stopping.

"This train will be non stopping at Clapham Junction" annoys the hell out of me, though you don't hear it as much any more. What is wrong with "not stopping at"?? AAAARGGHH!

Public transport announcements should use the most simple English possible, especially in a touristy place like London.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I have neighbours who barbecue nearly every day, talking very loudly until after dark and filling my garden with the stench of kerosene, smoke and burnt fat, which means I can't put washing out, sit in my garden or have any windows open that side. I'm sure they're having a lovely time but right now I loathe them passionately and I'm praying for rain.

[Zebedee Tring]

"Please alight at the nex stop for Buckingham Palace". Why not say "get off"? Masses of English speaking people don't know what "alight" means, let alone those who speak other languages. They probably think it means "set fire to".

[KidKruger]

"Cars which insist on overtaking at speed whilst I'm on my bike, only to slam on the breaks almost immediately in front of me because of a car coming the other way, or a speed bump. Crystal Palace Road is the worst for this. You'll often have the same car over take you 4-5 times at speed and very close only for you to cycle past it again 30 seconds later. Just slow down a little and keep to a more constant speed instead of buckarooing down the length of the street"

It's not a road that's so easy to keep a consistent speed on, what with speed bumps, cars crossing at junctions, people crossing, car doors opening, narrowing of road due to irregular parking making passing on coming cars difficult, skips, other cars parking or turning, cyclists.

It's about safety anyway, not trying to maintain a consistent speed.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I agree KidKruger, it is about safety. Accelerating hard to get in front of a bike only to brake directly in front of it and to continue repeating this pattern all the way up the road is dangerous. Just keep behind the bike if you are going at the same / slower speed anyway. Why 'buckaroo' your way down the road out of inpatience and frustration, when it doesn't get you anywhere? I drive and I know that road well. Because of the things you mention, I drive down there slowly and try to be patient. I don't acccelerate as fast as I can at every brief opportunity.

[Earl Aelfheah]

KidKruger Wrote:

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> "Cars which insist on overtaking at speed whilst

> I'm on my bike, only to slam on the breaks almost

> immediately in front of me because of a car coming

> the other way, or a speed bump. Crystal Palace

> Road is the worst for this. You'll often have the

> same car over take you 4-5 times at speed and very

> close only for you to cycle past it again 30

> seconds later. Just slow down a little and keep to

> a more constant speed instead of buckarooing down

> the length of the street"

>

> It's not a road that's so easy to keep a

> consistent speed on, what with speed bumps, cars

> crossing at junctions, people crossing, car doors

> opening, narrowing of road due to irregular

> parking making passing on coming cars difficult,

> skips, other cars parking or turning, cyclists.

> It's about safety anyway, not trying to maintain a

> consistent speed.

I said a 'more consistent speed', as opposed to repeatedly accelerating and braking as hard as possible and overtaking vehicles you clearly aren't going to move away from due to the traffic conditions.

[Earl Aelfheah]

.

[the-e-dealer]

For once maybe it would be better if the cyclists rode on the pavement!

[Earl Aelfheah]

.

[Salsaboy]

Don't get me started on that one.

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> For once maybe it would be better if the cyclists

> rode on the pavement!