Monday, October 24, 2005
Dear Readers: Here's the second installment of readers' Sound Offs, which runs as a special feature of this column once a week. Heloise Central says & quot;thank you & quot; to everyone who took the time to send in a pet peeve. See if you agree with one or all:
UAnn Phelps of Farmington, N.M., says: & quot;Someone saying, 'I don't have time.' We all have the same amount of time -- 24 hours a day. How we choose to use our time is the issue. & quot;
UJane Herron, via e-mail, says: & quot;My pet peeve is with companies that so generously offer a coupon for their product. However, the coupons are buy two or three of the product to save 75 cents. I am a single woman who lives in a small apartment, and I cannot store all these containers. Why not let me save 40 cents on one? & quot;
UShirley Potts of Far Hills, N.J., says: & quot;On our way to and from Atlantic City, I was reminded of one of my pet peeves -- namely, drivers who drive up to an 'exact change' tollbooth and then sit there, hunting for their change and holding up the cars behind them. Really bugs me. & quot;
UMaggie Grosshuesch of Maple Plain, Minn., says: & quot;I am a switchboard operator and receptionist. My pet peeve is when we receive calls like this: 'I missed a call, and your number showed up. Who wants to talk to me?' What I'd like to tell the caller is, 'How should I know?' but can't, as we're answering our phones promptly and professionally. & quot; (I agree. We have seven separate phone lines into the office, and we get several calls a day like this: 'Where am I calling?' Ugh! -- Heloise)
UDoris Hokanson of Kerrville, Texas, says, & quot;When people set up folding chairs for events, they leave no 'elbow room,' putting the chairs as close together as possible. & quot;
UPeggy E. Sandifer of Mineola, Texas, says: & quot;I do not have a computer, and neither do several of my friends. We are constantly told to obtain more information on something by visiting a Web site. Why not give a phone number? & quot;
Dear Heloise: After the family has finished off a jar of salad (banana) peppers, save the juice from the jar. It makes a great seasoning for cooked greens, such as collard greens. Sprinkle a little on the greens after serving, just as you might salt and pepper. It's a delicious little kick to the flavor. Rod Wood, San Francisco
Dear Heloise: Since I find it difficult and time-consuming to search for the various makeup compacts I use each morning, I put a small dot of colored nail polish on the ones I use frequently. Carol Chernish, Falls Church, Va.
Dear Heloise: Instead of buying an expensive toilet-paper holder for my bathroom, I bought an inexpensive stand-up paper-towel holder at a store that sells stuff for a dollar. It fits two rolls of toilet paper on it, and it works just as well. Laura Deitrick, Louisville, Ohio
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
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