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Some seemingly innocent things can be surprisingly bothersome, as anyone who’s ever seen a KitKat bar being bitten into or a pizza being sliced in a weird way can attest. These are just a couple of examples of what can cause the vein on people’s foreheads to pop or at least make them want to fix whatever it is that’s bothering them.

An abundance of such ‘Mildly Annoying’ things can be found on the subreddit titled exactly that. With nearly three thousand members, it is home to a vast collection of images covering all sorts of irritating things and situations. Scroll down to find them, but view them at your own risk, as they might make you quite annoyed just by looking at them.

To learn more about what annoys us and why, Bored Panda turned to a neuroscientist and senior lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Alicia A. Walf, Ph.D., who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions. You will find our interview in the text below.

In over a decade of its existence—since 2012, to be exact—the ‘Mildly Annoying’ community has covered nearly every and any annoying situation there is. They might seem like minor inconveniences to some, but they can get on people’s nerves nevertheless. Moreover, what doesn't seem the slightest bit frustrating to some might make others’ blood boil.

“There are many individual differences in what presses our buttons enough to annoy us,” a neuroscientist and senior lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Alicia Walf, told Bored Panda in a recent interview. “In general, annoyances are unpleasant stimuli that are unpredictable and uncontrollable and persist for some time. There is context-dependency on what annoys us as well, making annoyance a volatile and hard to anticipate emotion.

“Unlike anger, in which the same things or situations are likely to produce it time and again, the same thing can be simply unpleasant one day, but then be extremely annoying the next.”

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    #2

    Mistaking A Hearing Aid For Fake AirPods

    Mistaking A Hearing Aid For Fake AirPods

    jakednake , bit.ly Report

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    Lunaofthenest (She/they)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And why is anyone investigating the branding of someone's chosen ear bud? How little do you have going on that this is a concern to you?

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    #3

    Either Let It Finish, Or Hit "Clear," You Mouthbreathers

    Either Let It Finish, Or Hit "Clear," You Mouthbreathers

    OldManBrodie Report

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    DEW
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son leaves the light blinking all the time. It drives me very nuts. I have to press clear or go insane.

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    “It is perplexing when seemingly insignificant things produce annoyance in us,” Dr. Walf pointed out. “As a general rule, we focus on the bad. Given the limited attention we have to process everything going on inside us and in our complex and dynamic environments, our brain’s default is to focus on what might be harmful or even out of place, a mistake that we frustratingly cannot fix.

    “When we are stressed, our attention is quickly refocused on what is causing the stress because it may be something that can seriously harm us. It might be a similar process for annoyance. We can’t help but notice that thing that is unpleasant so we focus our attention on it. Annoyance can come from this because we cannot change the situation and we do not see an end in sight.”

    #4

    Nooooooo

    Nooooooo

    JosZo Report

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    Roger9er
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know, that statue down there on the right? He used to look up, but now he looks in his book so he doesn't have to see those stupid cables.

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    #5

    Can't Remove This Label

    Can't Remove This Label

    wayl Report

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    JB
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    imagine the amount of stick required for a sticker to stick to a non-stick pan. stupifying

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    Prof. Walf emphasized that it’s difficult to predict what annoys most people and why, but there are ideas of potential reasons for these individual differences. “Some of it may be due to personality—some people are more prone to react with negative emotions like anger and annoyance. Some of it may be due to present emotional states; for example, individuals feeling irritable (maybe because of lack of sleep) are more prone to annoyance.”

    #7

    My The Time I Got This Packaging Open I Also Needed A Xanax. One Little Pill!!!

    My The Time I Got This Packaging Open I Also Needed A Xanax. One Little Pill!!!

    Caesar100 Report

    #8

    Postman Gives A Zero F**ks

    Postman Gives A Zero F**ks

    jakednake Report

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    Karl
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    US post boxes are clearly not designed for formal certificate storage

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    “Another major contributor is stress,” the neuroscientist continued. “Stress refocuses our attention on our environment, which may include something annoying. With stress, the modulation of the limbic and threat regions by the frontal cortex breaks down and our reactions are more driven by the threat and limbic systems than by the higher-level cognitive processing of the frontal cortex.

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    “Given that there is a relationship between stress and annoyance, feeling annoyed at even minor things might be due to greater activation in these threat and limbic regions without this oversight from the frontal cortex that is typical. Just as much as stress can amplify annoyances, studies have shown that exposure to annoyances also causes stress.”

    #11

    That Is My Package. That Is Not My House

    That Is My Package. That Is Not My House

    lungbuttersucker Report

    It’s arguably safe to say that we all have pet peeves, and they seemingly get even more bothersome when we’re already stressed. Survey Monkey revealed what are some of the most common pet peeves when it comes to sharing a home and working in the office. The most annoying thing in the former environment is leaving common spaces messy, with as much as 63% believing so. Others include not taking out the trash, talking loudly on the phone, or taking food without permission with 45%, 30%, and 24% respectively admitting to being aggravated by such situations.

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    When it comes to work, people are seemingly most annoyed about colleagues complaining about their work or fellow co-workers (53%). It is followed closely by managers who don’t give credit where credit is due (50%), colleagues who are late to meetings (33%) or who fail to recognize your contributions (31%).

    Loud chewers and sources of similar sounds are also among popular pet peeves that could drive a person completely nuts. Someone enjoying their sandwich with intense lip smacking or repetitive clacking of the tongue is as close to torture as one gets to certain people. Especially those with misophonia—a disorder which entails having a decreased tolerance to certain sounds and sensations related to them.

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    According to researchers from King’s College London and University of Oxford, nearly one-fifth—18.4% to be exact—of people in the UK find everyday sounds, such as chewing or loud sniffing, difficult to bear.

    #17

    The Worst Cork Material... Ever!

    The Worst Cork Material... Ever!

    DefiantCondor Report

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    DonnerDinnerParty
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had this happen more than once and it is infuriating! I ended up screwing in a screw then used pliers to pull up the screw and eventually the cork 😅

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    NPR correspondent Joe Palca pointed out that in order for things to be annoying they have to tick three boxes: they have to be unpleasant without being physically harming, unpredictable and intermittent, and persist for an uncertain period of time. All of these combined ought to make whatever ticks the boxes quite aggravating for sure. (It’s pretty safe to say that a loud chewer sitting at a nearby table would checkmark them all.)

    #20

    So I've Been Ordering Pizza At This Small Local Place For Years, They Got A New Guy Last Week

    So I've Been Ordering Pizza At This Small Local Place For Years, They Got A New Guy Last Week

    Bulky-Computer-6299 Report

    Joe Palca also emphasized that there is no universal theory when it comes to annoyance, as the things that irritate people vary from person to person; they are also so oddly specific, there can be a million different ones.

    Some of the correspondent’s personal favorite ones, which he revealed to the American Psychological Association, included people getting annoyed by someone picking lint off their clothes and people not counting the change into a person’s palm.

    #21

    The Tube Cap Lacks The Puncture Spike For This Glue

    The Tube Cap Lacks The Puncture Spike For This Glue

    garaboly Report

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    Will Cable
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For me it is when you take the top off the glue and it starts oozing out and you haven't even applied pressure to the tube, so then you get blobs of glue, you wipe the extra off and then get the string effect .

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    #22

    The Way These Windows Were Installed

    The Way These Windows Were Installed

    ZL42 Report

    #23

    Bought A New Pen, Only Had A Couple Pages Worth Of Ink In It

    Bought A New Pen, Only Had A Couple Pages Worth Of Ink In It

    Wandering-Vagrant Report

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    David
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably not deceitful. More likely a mistake at the factory when some ink inserting machine needed to be refilled or a misfire as the plastic tubes zipped through. The cost of the ink is miniscule compared to lost business from a brand name being trashed. I've seen super cheap pens that still gave more ink than that but they had a really short ink tube.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Works on the assumption that most pens get lost or mislaid within a few weeks anyway, then when you chance upon it two years later you'll forget that it was brand new and shouldn't have run out of ink yet.

    Mariele Scherzinger
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I recently invested in a fountain pen. Lovely. My handwriting has improved, too. And I love doing the refills. Also, all these colour choices you have when choosing an inkpot.

    Ace
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was forced to use fountain pens for five years at school. Did absolutely nothing for my handwriting, which if anything was even worse than with a ballpoint or the roller-balls that became popular at that time. And ink-fights were everyday occurrences...

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    Roger9er
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You should write a letter to the company it came from :D

    Kay Kelly
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Last time I did that the company sent me 5 lbs of a variety of their pens. Gave them away by the handful!

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe you picked up the test pen that everyone had already doodled with?

    GB
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a Zebra pen? I think that's the same kind that I buy by the dozen. I used to love them, but now they're breaking really easily. Must have cheapened the materials ☹️

    Brittany Howard
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought it looked like a Zebra, too. I used to love those, very reliable and a good size. I'm sad to hear about the quality now.

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    Pamela Christie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, well, ink is really expensive. The company probably saves a nickel on every 5,000 orders this way.

    Catherine Maven
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Typical of dollar-store pens and markers. LOOK like a fantastic deal - but they're DESIGNED to hold about 1/3 of the ink of the regular-priced ones.

    John Baker
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a couple of old Zebra pens just like this one. Can't even find refills for the damn things anymore.

    Marleina Hershberg
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone used and then returned it, then you bought it, thinking it was unused.

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    Whether it’s someone’s loud breathing or a picture of tiles so uneven, they must be destroyed, pet peeves and similar annoyances can have a negative effect on a person. They typically cause negative emotions or even stress, which is known to have an adverse effect on one’s physical and mental health.

    Healthline pointed out that stress can activate the “fight or flight” response in one’s body and cause numerous problems, such as headaches, heartburn, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, insomnia, and others.

    #24

    The Varying Lengths Of These Lines

    The Varying Lengths Of These Lines

    Duckie1713 Report

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    S. E. in Indiana
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is because whoever was painting was too lazy to stretch a string across the ends so they would all be the same. I used to stripe parking lots for the city. This is just somebody not caring about their work.

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    #26

    It's Supposed To Be The Same Item But The Photos Have Different Numbers Of Shelves

    It's Supposed To Be The Same Item But The Photos Have Different Numbers Of Shelves

    _who_farted_ Report

    Dr. Walf suggested that one of the most helpful ways to deal with such annoyances is stopping the stress-annoyance cycle. “Repeated stress and unchecked and persistent negative emotions that come with it like irritation and annoyances can minimize well-being. It may be very useful to reach out to mental health professionals if stress or these annoyances over minor and major situations are negatively impacting you regularly.”

    “Additional approaches to take are to reduce stress using whatever you have in your well-being toolbox: deep and focused breathing, mindful techniques to refocus attention away from what is causing stress or annoyance, reaching out to someone else. Distractions and reappraisal of how intense or negative the situation may be can help temper those feelings of annoyance. Reminding yourself that, as annoying as the situation may be, ‘this too shall pass’,” she added.

    #27

    This Temperature Control On My Slow Cooker

    This Temperature Control On My Slow Cooker

    sluggerb Report

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    #28

    The Toilet In The Local Brewery

    The Toilet In The Local Brewery

    MossytheMagnificent Report

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    Bobby
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somebody replaced the broken toilet seat with the cheapest one they could find at the hardware store

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    #29

    This Shelf Gives Me Anxiety

    This Shelf Gives Me Anxiety

    CheesyRadish Report

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    Roger9er
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't that very easy to solve by making an extra knot in the front two strings?

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    If going through similar torturous lists is something you enjoy, we have some more ready for you here at Bored Panda. Click here for a collection of mildly infuriating images or check out some mildly uncomfortable pictures right here. Don’t miss the chance to also view what annoyances drive these internet users crazy.

    #30

    My Box Of Tissues Hasn't Been Cut Properly, Meaning That I Either Carefully Pull Apart Each Tissue (Using Both Hands), Or End Up With A Handful Of Confetti

    My Box Of Tissues Hasn't Been Cut Properly, Meaning That I Either Carefully Pull Apart Each Tissue (Using Both Hands), Or End Up With A Handful Of Confetti

    Plumb789 Report

    #31

    Can I Be Bothered Bending Down To Swap Them? Had To In The End. Couldn’t Stand It

    Can I Be Bothered Bending Down To Swap Them? Had To In The End. Couldn’t Stand It

    whooyeah Report

    #33

    The 6's Are Not The Same

    The 6's Are Not The Same

    lainwla16 Report

    #34

    Opened Up A Pack Of Skittles And Saw This

    Opened Up A Pack Of Skittles And Saw This

    theTRUEChEeSeMaN Report

    #35

    The Way The Levels Of Spicy Heat Are Arranged

    The Way The Levels Of Spicy Heat Are Arranged

    h2opolopunk Report

    #36

    Opened My Cabinet To Find My Favorite Bowl Randomly Split In Half

    Opened My Cabinet To Find My Favorite Bowl Randomly Split In Half

    FknRepunsel Report

    #37

    The Silver Foil Didn't Come Off The Milk Thing

    The Silver Foil Didn't Come Off The Milk Thing

    TheGamerWithMore Report

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    Stefan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you look closely, the label looks like it says, “why?”

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    #38

    Someone Scratched Of The WiFi Sticker In The Cafe To The Point Where U Can Barely Read It

    Someone Scratched Of The WiFi Sticker In The Cafe To The Point Where U Can Barely Read It

    ThouNickle Report

    #39

    Bird Poop On The Garden Hose Nozzle

    Bird Poop On The Garden Hose Nozzle

    Ignatz_42 Report

    #40

    Who Are These People Targeting? Who The Hell Has $500 In Subscriptions They Just Aren't Using?

    Who Are These People Targeting? Who The Hell Has $500 In Subscriptions They Just Aren't Using?

    reddit.com Report

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    DEW
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I would go grocery shopping an employee was walking around with a clipboard getting folks to sign up for a Visa card for the store. He is always so nice and we would talk whenever we saw him. So one day he comes up to us and asks again. I asked Do you have one?? He got sheepish and said No. I said when you get yours then I will get one. LOL!!

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    #41

    Cannot Unsee In The Bathroom At Work. Spot The Tile!

    Cannot Unsee In The Bathroom At Work. Spot The Tile!

    Doctors_Companion01 Report

    #43

    It's Not A Square

    It's Not A Square

    zenith66 Report

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    DEW
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The name talks about the chocolate and not the package. Are there 2 squares in there or one rectangle? If you go by the package then the package isn't dark chocolate at all.

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    #44

    The Larger The Pack, The More Expensive It Gets

    The Larger The Pack, The More Expensive It Gets

    thenewyorkgod Report

    #45

    Lifesaver Without The One Thing It’s Supposed To Have

    Lifesaver Without The One Thing It’s Supposed To Have

    undead-doorsman Report

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    #47

    I Was In The Process Of Renting A Movie When I Noticed This. There Is No Other Quality Options Available

    I Was In The Process Of Renting A Movie When I Noticed This. There Is No Other Quality Options Available

    cat-man- Report

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    #48

    Kinda Hard To Drink Out Of A Sealed Straw

    Kinda Hard To Drink Out Of A Sealed Straw

    naysay3rr Report

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    DEW
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No it's just the new diet plan. Just say no to sugary soda's.

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    #49

    Politicians In Indiana Can’t Even Get On The Same Page When It Comes To Time Zones

    Politicians In Indiana Can’t Even Get On The Same Page When It Comes To Time Zones

    thenewyorkgod Report

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    StumblingThroughLife
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That must be a vast state. UK to Spain is approx 1,423.2 miles (via A28) - one-hour time difference.

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    #50

    This Post Was Agonisingly Close To The Centre Of The Tree!

    This Post Was Agonisingly Close To The Centre Of The Tree!

    Rudle455 Report

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    Gøøse
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You probably wouldn't want it to be in the middle, as a pith might weaken the post.

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    #51

    My TV Remote Has An Ad Moulded Into The Plastic

    My TV Remote Has An Ad Moulded Into The Plastic

    FilthFlarnFilth Report

    #52

    This Restaurant’s Takeout “Chips” Are Literally Half Tacos. Not Even Broken Up Like Proper Chips. I Can’t Fit This Is My Big Mouth

    This Restaurant’s Takeout “Chips” Are Literally Half Tacos. Not Even Broken Up Like Proper Chips. I Can’t Fit This Is My Big Mouth

    Scarlet109 Report