Readers Get Peevish

A while back, I laid out some of my pet peeves about cruising. Being ever so humble, I thought I had covered most of the bases, but I asked for readers' peeves as well, just in case I had missed any. Well, apparently, travel is fraught with peeves. Who knew? My inbox was flooded, but these 16 complaints really caught my attention. I offer hearty thanks to my readers for sounding off.

Why do people need to fill a plate like it is their last meal at an all-you-can-eat buffet? --John, Washington, D.C.

I can't stand it when people feel "special." They know the rules are supposed to apply to everyone, but they feel that they -- of course -- are the exception. You see it everywhere on a cruise. --Annie, Boston, Mass.

My biggest problem on a vacation involves misbehaving kids. Before takeoff, one child was demanding of the flight attendants, loud and aggressive. At times she would turn to me and tell me to get out of "Harry Potter's seat." Her parents did nothing. Daddy put on his noise-canceling headphones and Mommy "fell asleep." --Chad, Billings, Mont.

My biggest pet peeve on a vacation is the cell phone users. Cruises, resorts and restaurants! People, it is vacation, and you are probably not that important! --Mary, Dania, Fla.

Learn how to use the elevator! When the elevator stops for you to board, step back and give those passengers in the elevator room to step off. I don't know how many times I've had to push my way out through the crowd or wait for others to get in the elevator before I could get off. --Catherine, Carroll, Iowa

People who think that society rules/customs in other countries are the same as here, in the United States. Example: One of the things I admire (among a host of others) about the Riviera Maya (Cancun/Playa del Carmen) is that unlike here [in New York], you are allowed to actually smoke in bars and restaurants. What peeves me is when other people start crying about "how rude it is" to smoke in bars and restaurants! Different society = different rules! --David, Westchester, N.Y.

My peeve: the person(s) who seem to feel that if they aren't the first in line on the bus, the dining line, etc., the "ship will sail without them." --Jo, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

I have many times seen Americans at a buffet line in a foreign country and they go through picking pieces of food and smelling them. How rude! --Cynthia Tuten, Hong Kong

Get rid of that obnoxious Nextel beep! And while you are at it, ditch the beeps for the walkie-talkies! --Mark, Vancouver, British Columbia

Stop nickel-and-diming me to death! I've cruised enough to know that the art auction, the photographers, the soda charges and the excursions are just ways to rip more money out of my pocket. --Peter, Denver, Colo.

What is the deal with charging full price for my kids when I am traveling with them? Do they really drink that much booze at the all-inclusive resort? [Note: I agree. Check out Single Parent Travel to see about working around that. J.F.] --Hillary, Groton, Conn.

What's with the smuggling of the booze aboard the cruise ship? You would think Internet cruise boards were invented solely to teach others how to hide their booze. If you are that cheap, stay home. --Jim, Fort Worth, Texas

Senior citizens who, because the good Lord gave them longevity, think they have a right to get on the elevator before anyone is allowed off. --William, Santa Clarita, Calif.

If you must talk with someone who is not sitting with you on an airplane, figure a way to do it without sticking your ass in my face! --Kristine, Duluth, Minn.

People who expect all service-oriented staff members to have an excellent command of the English language and cause a scene or get very rude when they don't. --Sam, Anchorage, Alaska.

People who come to the "free breakfast" in their pajamas. --John, Destin, Fla.

I am sure some of these pet peeves are going to make other readers peevish, too. All I can say is: Don't shoot the messenger!

Got more to add? Drop me an e-mail.