I have a list of pet peeves that I ocassionally feel the need to share with you all. I share joy. I share pain. Life, apparently, is for mass consumption and sharing. Today, is a day to share an irritant. It’s nothing large. Just a few thoughts here and there.

I shall start with a fact about myself. I eat slowly. Very slowly. I don’t do it purposely. It’s not as if I eat slowly as part of trying to lose weight or trying to be more deliberate in life. I just eat slowly. It’s not meant to annoy others. And, for the most part my eating companions are gracious about how slowly I eat. I tend to apologize for eating slowly. And others tend to encourage me to not feel badly about eating slowly. Now, if its a coffee or a cocktail I drink those quickly. I’ve got my priorities.

Considering that I eat so slowly, I think I am in my right to have the following pet peeve. I hate when a restaurant clears the table before everyone has finished eating. I understand some may do that in order to be more efficient. Some may do that thinking that the person who has finished would want their space cleaned. However, for those of us who eat slowly, it puts undue pressure on us to eat more quickly. It also means that we have to continue eating with all eyes on us. Furthermore, it makes us realize we need to find more compatible companions. I kid. But it does make glaringly obvious a possible big difference. This really shouldn’t be a problem unless one person eats all their food in five minutes and the other in a more measured manner. Allowing the plates to stay at the table can provide some semblance of civility. Plus, you can still then share some food.

I think I will leave it there as I need not elaborate any further. I may be a slow eater but I need not also be long-winded.