Pet Peeves (or things that make me go "aaargh!”)

Each day, Americans wake up to a slew of media stories about increasing civil unrest, rising inflation, devastating cuts to Medicaid, and deepening economic uncertainty.

And if that isn’t enough, we suffer daily annoyances (i.e., pet peeves) leading to gnashing of teeth and sighs of “aaargh!”

Talking about pet peeves in view of larger societal and political issues might seem frivolous, however, dealing with them often raises my Irritation Meter to the “Frustration” level.

Make no mistake, however, I am not alone. For example, family members, especially my sister, frequently call me to vent about their unhappy interactions with companies that employ AI assistants.

Writing about pet peeves is my form of self-therapy and a chance to push back against business executives who no longer give a damn about customers’ complaints or satisfaction.

Account Signups: Honestly, I understand that companies/organizations want to expand their mailing lists, but why do their websites require signing up for emails or creating an account before one can peruse their website? Unwilling to add to the daily influx of unwanted emails in my inbox, or to increase my list of usernames and passwords, I move on.

Ubiquitous Advertising: Advertising is an integral part of American capitalism. Nonetheless, what makes advertisers think that showing ads with accompanying QR symbol when I pause from streaming (to get a beverage or answer a phone call) motivates me to buy their product. It doesn’t; it just irritates me.

Equally annoying are ads--for dental implants, nursing programs, or leak-proof panties—which interrupt my peaceful flow during a Goodful 10 Minute Daily Meditation. Isn’t there a way to algorithmically determine the best ads for specific content?

Likewise, one of my favorite true crime podcasts usually has up to six ads before and during a 35-minute episode, which interferes with the host’s compelling narrative.

Verification Quandary: Several few months ago, my telephone number was compromised, so I had to update it on several websites. Some verified my identity by sending a code to the number that I no longer had. I had to contact customer service (and provide additional proof that I was who I said I was). It makes more sense to send code to the new number, the new email, or to a second verified account on record.

In addition, on some websites (e.g., login.gov) my old username continues to show up at sign in although I had updated it in “Profile.” No effort on my part could change this.

ADA Puzzle: Why are ADA-accessible stalls (for people with walkers or wheelchairs) located farthest away from a restroom’s entrance, or ADA-accessible hotel rooms miles away from elevators?

Pop-up Ads and Videos: It is a dizzying experience to get through online articles with ads or unrelated videos inserted between every paragraph and ads that relentlessly appear at the bottom of a page.

 Rideshare (Dis) Services: Recently, I had the darndest time reaching a human person at Lyft when faced with a technical glitch. Each time I requested a ride, an unknown home address showed as the starting point. Despite attempts to insert my actual address, nothing worked. Lyft has no customer service telephone number, so I could not get assistance. With persistence, I was able to correct the pickup address. No thanks to Lyft.

In addition, I opted into the Silver Lyft program, which promises “a simpler version of Lyft with phone support … (and) cars that are easy to get in and out of.” Surprise! I cannot locate a number on the Lyft app or the website for “support,” nor have I ever gotten a larger vehicle.

If I choose to communicate via email at Lyft’s website, my only options are “Find a lost item,” or “Dispute charges,” or “Report incident.” Of course, my problem or issue seldom fits into these options.

O my, AI!

The number of companies (e.g., healthcare providers, banks, or share riding services) that discourage human interactions is growing in favor of (unpaid) AI assistants as a cost-saving measure, and, I believe, as a shield from (irate?) consumers/customers.

On countless occasions, the AI assistant fails to understand my phrasing of a question or statement, so I repeat or rephrase it several times before getting transferred to a customer rep. Alas, wouldn’t it be great if we could choose a customer rep or an AI assistant at the beginning of a call?

Online chatbots are equally frustrating. Recently, I visited a major online retailer to ask a question about my credit line. However, none of the topics (e.g., “Help with an existing online purchase” or “Change a repair service order” or “help with a scheduled delivery or installation”) addressed my problem.

Of course, I could have called the company’s phone line to speak with a rep but would have ended up with an AI assistant.

Now what?

The Trump administration’s dismantling of federal agencies threatens to wreak havoc on consumers.

Consumer protection is minimal. Recourse for consumer grievances is limited. Companies rush to implement AI initiatives with little consideration for customer preferences. Companies are less likely to be held accountable for price gouging. deceptive practices, or defective products.

In the current corporate environment, consumers are left wondering, “Does anybody care?”

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