One thing that use to drive me crazy was when I started cooking a meal is when my husband decided to empty the garbage in the kitchen. It wasn't just grabbing the bag and getting out of the kitchen, he made and still does make an ordeal of emptying the garbage. Crushing pop bottles, etc. It is wonderful he empties the garbage in the whole house everyday, but stay out of my way when I am cooking. He knows now! I also don't like cooking a big meal with kids in the kitchen. I am afraid one might get hurt.

...when DH uses the spray option of our pull-down faucet and forgets to switch it back to regular, and I get a drenching!

Oly because the men actually do help!

Those kids were outside playing with dogs and donkeys, so I don't think it was a good thing for them to be in the kitchen touching the food and screaming I touched it all it's mine. Nope not my kind of acceptable behavior! But if you want that fine go ahead. Not having it here.

I also prefer not to have a cat walking across the counters whenever food is being prepared and especially not when it’s being served. Keep them in a separate room please.

I loved my cats half to death. They took all my money and then some. I couldn't go to bed unless all of us went together. But I draw the line with cats on the counter and/or table and would not eat at anybody's house that allows their pets on the counter.

The snacking prep is to the left of the sink. Cooking prep to the right. Not a rule, just the way the kitchen is set up and the way everyone tends to use it.

So, when you are done with your snack/breakfast/lunch, why are you putting your dishes to the right of the sink? When the dishwasher is to the LEFT? Where you just were? It's MORE work to put it to the right. Not to mention, if you are going to be making dinner, you now have to put a dozen dishes back to the left into the dishwasher because you hate a dirty kitchen when you cook.

Btw, my kids are out of the house. They never did this. DH did not grow up with a dishwasher, that's his excuse, then he self-reminds that he has now lived longer WITH one than without.

After coming inside from play, kids need to wash their hands. Getting them to do that, to not scream inside, to have appropriate behavior, etc, is like teaching them manners. If little ones are lacking that, blame the parents, not the kids, and ask the parents to control them.

You didn't answer my question, raven, but I'm going to guess your limited toleration of kids may be because you haven't spent a lot of time raising little ones and don't have experience with how to handle such situations. That's okay, having/raising kids isn't for everyone, I understand that well. I thought I was in your group myself, it just turned out I wasn't.

Lots of kids in my life. None of them behaved that way. These were not part of my family. The ones in my family know how to behave, how to cook, how to help and how to clean up. Please don't assume that you know anything about me or my life. That's one area I can assure you that you don't know it all.

I don't make comments about you or your family ever let's keep it that way!

End of this discussion.

I haven't read everything so maybe this has been addressed, but I hate it when someone plops a purse on my table or counter. Don't they know where the bottoms of those purses have been???

My comment wasn't intended as a criticism. It was you who said you disliked kids "wandering around in the kitchen under foot for no good reason". It sounded to me like the attitude of someone who had limited toleration of and limited experience with kids, that was why I asked. Kids visiting or living in a house where there's a get together need to be somewhere, and if others are in a kitchen, if they're not given something engrossing to do elsewhere, you can be sure some of them will be in the kitchen too and that's the good reason.

Kitchens not designed ice - stone - fire [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first-dsvw-vd~2699918[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first-dsvw-vd~2699918)

Lower cabs that are not drawers, esp. those with roll out shelves.

Huge pantry cabs, where you cannot see most of what is in it.

Not using microwave to steam, without overcooking, veggies.

Mine is when people wear their rings when mixing dough or meat by hand. I don't care how many times you wash your hands you are not getting under the ring or the prongs. My Mom had really long nails and even that grossed me out when she made dough and it would get under her nails. The worst is when people get flour and dough on their hands and rub their hands over the bowl to get it off. I have seen a lot of tv cooks do that. haha I just see dry skin rubbing off. I know it is most likely safe because the food is cooked but just for me ew

I love having kids in the kitchen. They just get so excited especially when baking. My nieces loved learning how to cook with me

I like kids but not underfoot when I am cooking. If that makes me a bad person, I can live with that.

I don't like to go to other people's family gatherings. I know people think because I don't have very much family that I shouldn't be alone on holidays. They mean well but I find it excruciatingly boring, so I have learned to have some excuses ready to keep me from having to go.

I am with you marilyn. I would feel awkward as the only non family member present. Also, I will not eat anyone elses home cooking other than a family member. I never attend my employers Thanksgiving party either. Not only do I hardly ever know most of the people who do attend, its a potluck, and they ask that everything be homemade. ICK. For many of the reasons listed above I find it gross. People may have 10 cats crawling all over the counters. Or the let their kids or grandkids "help," boogery fingers and all. EW. You never really know how unhygienic people are. Especially now, the advent of flu season,Ill pass thanks. I do contribute to the potluck(certified booger-free). And my dishes always go. But I ask someone else to take it over for me and please DO NOT bring me anything back. One year, one of the HR women were INSISTENT that i take something home. So i loaded up on the professionally catered ham and turkey, and took it to my doggies. THEY were certainly more grateful than i was. Someone once admitted to me that the dish she brought was something her MIL had made the year before, which she shoved in the freezer so she wouldn't feel guilty about tossing it. Instead, she defrosted it a year later and brought it to the company Thanksgiving potluck. She didn't even care if it was still good. Its not like they label who brought certain things, so no one would know who brought the year old casserole or whatever it was. Nice.

I don't like crumbs in the butter!

Yes, Kathy and people who take/shave butter off the top of the stick (when it's in the butter dish) instead of off the ends!

My peeve is at gatherings where people stand in doorways and aisles blocking the way for others to move. Typically, 2 to 3 persons will pass through an entryway and then stop to have a conversation instead of stepping aside to clear the pathway. To top it off, another party can arrive at the doorway wanting to pass through while the talkers ignore his/her presence. They see the person but continue to do the football block and yak away and then appear miffed if the other party has to verbalize to clear the way. That rudeness burns my tail.

You don't think it happens; The next time you are at a gathering, sit is a corner and observe for awhile. I think that you will discover that certain individuals in the group will engage in this behavior.

Doorway blocking is kind of a power/control type of behavior, isn't it? I have observed this myself. Annoying!

Things I like: Anytime someone else cooks a meal.

Things I don't like: Cooking.

Something that really bugs me: I researched the heck out of buying a new stove. Gas seemed too expensive because it doesn't come down our street and has never been used in our home before so installation would have been $$$. I chose a smooth top stove with one small and one larger oven thinking how useful it would be for company dinners. Trouble is when both ovens are on, using more than two burners blows the circuit. Yes, it is a new and dedicated circuit. Grrr. So wish we had sprung for the gas.

People that want to redesign my kitchen...while I'm cooking in it. Acting like they "know" about kitchen design and if I just did this or that.......uh...huh....YOUR telling me WHAT!? I guess they think I'm interested in what's popular in California because they're 3-5 years ahead of Colorado I'm told.....uh....nooooooo......

I agree with those not wanting "guests" in their kitchen. When I'm cooking the kitchen isn't spotless like you see in a magazine so I keep the doors to the kitchen shut, seems to work well. My pet peeve is eating in the kitchen, I've never had a house without a dining room so why would I want to eat in the kitchen?

I been cutting my pies before bringing them and every host has been happily surprised at that idea.

Elmer, I agree -no plastics touching food. When I put anything in a plastic container I line it with waxpaper.

Olychick only females contributing irks me too. You see all the women bringing all the food and cooking while the other half just shows up to eat and watch tv.

I understand this isn't with everyone but the gatherings I've been to this happens every year.

amylou, I'm with you about cats on counters and I never eat at potlucks. The latter more a concern about food handling and temperatures. But to exclude eating at others' houses is extreme, in my view. You're missing out.

You're at a get-together and you don't know people? Easily solved, introduce yourself and start a conversation. You're certain to meet some interesting people and learn new things, that's fun!

DH ties off the trash bag and leaves it in the can. Can't use the trash can until someone takes it out! That is not helping...

Sometimes my husband corrects my cooking, he's too territorial in the kitchen, a fact that we have heavily debated :-) Sometimes I just go do something else and let him have at it all. He claims to not realize that he is doing it, but I am on to him :-)

I do let my grand kids help me in the kitchen, but I supervise their hand washing and put their stool in a safe place. I turn these sessions into food (and finger) safety lessons. They LOVE to help and most of them are little boys!

I LOVED my grandkids in the kitchen. The older three used to make a mess (help) all the time. Of course I supervised hand washing, but we did cookies, doughnuts, whatever. It was really special, because the oldest grandson is allergic to dairy, fish, and nuts. So when I could adapt a recipe to work for him it was great. They are older now and still love to eat, but mostly do it on their own at home and just chow down here. The younger two are too far away to be here much, so just see them after everything is done.

Why would you TIE the bag and put it back i the trash can? I have seen this done and it baffles me. Remove it after you tie it closed. It is full. Put in a new bag. Not rocket science. Grrr...

Not my idea of fun, Elmer. I have done that....and believe it or not, I have no problem introducing myself and talking to anyone, but I have become very self indulgent the older I get and I have a dozen things I would rather be doing at home, than sitting around making small talk. I am never bored at home....so many things that I am interested in here, but sitting around twiddling my thumbs is not something I want to do.

I think I remember you mentioning that before. There's no value judgement or right and wrong, everyone is different. Some people get energized (and their batteries charged) by interacting with others, other people get de-energized in such situations and later need "alone time" to charge back up and recover. Some people are unaffected one way or the other. I think more people like being out in public settings with others than being alone but again, no right or wrong.

Most people know which kind of person they are and how they react to group situations. There are others who are lacking confidence or are shy, without the energy depletion thing going on, and may need a bit of a push to join in and have fun.

I do hate to say it but there are also many people who settle in to rationalizing the circumstances that result when they make no effort to do things differently and decide that's what they prefer. Which may or may not be, but it's what they have. That's something altogether different as well.

Huh? A no sentence concept without anything of a real idea.

Mine is people who eat the food or lick their fingers while prepping food. It's just nasty and unsanitary. My DH will occasionally do this and MIL will think nothing of grabbing a piece of meat and shoving her fingers into her's or someone else's mouth with it, then go back to carving the bird...

I can see that there is a pattern in what I "liked" on this topic. That is -- those who lick their fingers, or taste the food and put the utensil back in the pot, and even -- relatively common -- use their fork to get meat from the platter on the table -- the fork that they've already eaten with -- and then poke several pieces before they find the one they like!

Taking out the trash and not putting a new bag. grrrr And to make it worse to open the lid on the trash can to see someone forgot to put a bag and also threw trash in the bagless can. :|

Why would you TIE the bag and put it back i the trash can?

Isn't that how they illustrate it on the trash bag boxes? Maybe he's trying to follow the instructions.

My DH is a well educated, scientifically savvy, smart man. So why does he not understand air circulation is needed for things to dry? He will wash a glass, plop it face down on the counter, and expect it to be dry the next day. The outside will be, but the inside? No, closed systems don't dry out.

Elmer, I am not shy. I socialize easily. I just don't want to in the case of the company celebration. In that case, i would be bombarded with the question "why aren't you eating anything?" To which i could:

A.) Lie-Which never works, because whatever genteel excuse one comes up with there WILL be someone arguing against it. Example: I'm on a diet. Answer "Come on, its Thanksgiving!" or "A little bit wont hurt you."

B.) Tell the brutal truth- My usual reaction. Not good for cultivating small talk.

C.) Be rude and tell them to mind their own bidness.

I guess options B and C would be good for giving everyone else something to talk about amongst themselves.....

Much better for me to just go where i want, and avoid where i don't want to go. My shift usually has some small celebration of its own when we have to work that night, which we will this year. I cant physically go because i work alone and cant leave it unattended, but i will bring what they ask and some of them will come hang out with me for awhile.I hope some might help me with the Christmas decor, mainly helping me wrap the ceiling tiles. (I still don't eat anything) I much prefer that to faking pleasantries with strangers.

Cooks who wipe dirty or greasy fingers on the kitchen hand towel and just leave it there to be used again. Towels are for drying clean hands. Clean.

amylou, I don't know you and you are and can be however you want to be. But since you brought it up, people who I know who "socialize easily", myself included, would go to any function to mingle with others and have fun, without being concerned or giving any advance thought to what questions might be asked and how they might be answered. To that concern, I say, who cares? You can ask me anything you want. Your attitude is anything but "socializing easily".

I'm speaking from previous experience,not "advance thought." It's easy to mingle and make small talk,even with strangers. It's easy for me to start or carry on a spirited conversation. It's not always or even usually fun for me. Not even a little bit. It's tiring. So I refrain. If I spent every company holiday party holed up in my little office building with my decorations and the little stray cats that hang out around here,I will be happy.

What you're saying, in your own words, is that you don't enjoy mingling, you're more insincere than genuine when you do, and you'd rather be off on your own. That's not "socializing easily", that's faking it, unless I'm missing something. I suspect people who know you aren't fooled.

Again, I don't care one way or the other, but I think the words you're suggesting don't fit what you're describing.

I get very annoyed at finding dirty dishes in both sides of the sink. We don't have a dishwasher and we both wash dishes but I hate having to unload the sink before I can wash anything.

And people who don't start cooking until the guests have arrived, I find that annoying. I like to have everything ready and all the food cooked and hot (or cold) before the first guest arrives. Rare exceptions are made or the menu adjusted. I like to concentrate on cooking OR visiting, but not both at the same time. Same with clean up, we'll do it later, I don't want any help, thanks.

Oh for God's sake, Elmer! You are an expert on everything....mostly at getting under people's skin.

I have met several people here and I think they would all tell you that I am about as genuine a person as anyone they have ever met, as far as being kind, considerate, engaged in conversation and whatever.

My situation now is that my husband's health had taken a turn for the worst. He is on oxygen most of the time now. I have to take on all ihe inside and outside chores with little to no help. I am tired. I don't have as much time to sit around or do the things I enjoy any more. I would rather spend my "free" time doing a few of the things I enjoy. Sitting around when I have so much work to do, is no longer relaxing for me. I appreciate my friends inviting me to their family functions....I spent Thanksgiving last year doing that, and unlike you, I don't spend my time judging people I have no idea about. I got along fine with them....but I would have rather been home because I had things I would rather do.

Too, my husband was uncomfortable because he coughs a lot now and takes medicine that he has to pee about every 30 min. (Anything else you want to know?)

You need to get off your high horse and mind your own business. If I was the most worthless old hag in the world, it doesn't concern you.

Marilyn, so sorry about your husband's condition. Please take care of yourself too, it's easy for caregivers to lose sight of their own needs in their desire to care for that sick loved-one.

My "conversation" was with amy lou, sorry if you were offended by thinking it was about you.

I'm sorry about your husband's health and wish him and you better days.

Oh gosh, I am reminded of my true pet peeve. I have a friend who will jump up and start clearing the table and just stick things in the sink. I tell her to leave things alone and she will not. When I have other people over I do not want her or anyone else waiting on my guests unless I ask for help. I am the hostess. Don't get up and get a glass and fill it with ice from the fridge. Its my job to do that. I have another good friend who thinks exactly the same about this as Me. Thankfully I have always sat down at her house and waited for her to indicate what she wants me to do before I learned this about her.

My Scottish Grandmother used to tell a story that always made me cringe because there would be no way I would eat it. They emigrated to Canada in 1927. They had a big house close to downtown and the shops. My Grandma worked hard but they could never afford to buy a good cut of meat, they ate mostly organ meat or sausages, Grandpa used to make head cheese (gross) I remember the eyeballs floating in the pot when I was a child when he made it. My Mom had a big German Shepherd she called Lindy Hop after the dance. One day my Grandma looked out the kitchen window and noticed the dog had something in her mouth and was trying to rip paper off of it. My Grandma went to see what the dog had and it turned out to be a big roast beef still wrapped in butcher paper. and string. The dog either stole it or someone dropped it on the way out of the butchers. Grandma grabbed it from the dog, took it in the house, washed it off and they had it for dinner. Meat they hadn't had for a long time. In this day and age no way would I have eaten that meat but during those depression years I guess you would do what you had to do to feed your family. Grandma said the meat was fresh and because it was wrapped it was clean,. Poor Lindy lost her prize but after a boil to make soup she did get the bone. haha I can't tell you how many times I heard that story.

Patriciae, your peeve about guests jumping up to wait on themselves strikes a chord with me, in both directions. When my auntie hosts dinner, or comes here for dinner, she jumps up to start clearing while I'm still enjoying the company. Once she commented to me about how I don't help soon enough, but I told her she doesn't let everyone linger long enough!

Cherryfizz, my inlaws immigrated to Canada in the 50s. DH tells me how his dad, when DMIL was in the hospital with the newest baby, reheated the oatmeal from the day before by frying it. Then, when none of the kids would eat it (and they were hungry boys!) he gave it to the dog. DMIL dreaded when he went to the store, he'd come home with chicken necks and gizzards because they were so cheap. But DMIL knew she couldn't satisfy all those hungry boys with just that and it was a challenge to turn them into a gut-filling meal.

cherryfizz, you've reminded me of something hubby and I saw one day while sitting at an outdoor cafe in Amsterdam. We heard the yelling long before we saw the cause of the yelling. As we sat there wondering what was going on, a black lab ran past our table with a large roast in its mouth. Next thing we saw was a man dressed in full chef's garb, including the tall white hat, chasing the dog while yelling what I can only assume were Dutch swear words. They disappeared around a corner and we went back to our food. Not long after that, the chef reappeared muttering what I assume were Dutch profanities. He went on down the street and into a restaurant. That darn dog must have snuck into the restaurant and stolen the roast; we laughed until we cried!

Putting built in zip locks on some bag food products is a good idea. But having the zip locks actually work would be even a better idea.

A number of you mentioned the same pet peeve as I have.......people in the kitchen when I'm preparing a meal. I don't like anyone in my kitchen.

Even doing dishes afterwards. By the time I tell people where everything goes, (or not being able to find something that was put away) hubby and I could have had them all done up.

Functionthenlook, YES, the built-in zipper closures. They never close properly once opened.