Random Peeve 2

Companies have been relentless on forcing marketing down the throats of a captive audience. Most people are familiar with the new campaign of commercials at movie theaters, a tactic that Hitler's propaganda dogs would have drooled over. Although, this is near intolerable, it is not on the same tier as the peeve I wish to discuss.

Simply put, the music is being interrupted. It is not the music company overloads, but every company that has customer support. Waiting on hold, while on the phone, is not that bad, especially if you have a speaker phone. However, interrupting the soothing hold music with advertisements has to be the most painful captive audience torture I've endured. Let me recap my worst experience.

By far the worst hold experience was with Direct TV. Not only was I in a bad mood since my dish was not working properly, but the soothing classical music was interrupted with a man shouting over the phone about the exciting WCW coverage on Direct TV. Just imagine the commercials you see about the ridiculous wrestling soap opera and the vein popping shouting matches and then picture having to hear this ON THE PHONE!!! Pause... Southing music... BLAM! Come on an underwater journey with the crew from the Discovery Channel.

What makes this worse than the movie theater, is the fact that you have to pay attention to the phone or you might miss the customer service representative that is suppose to help you and you do not want to have to call again and relive this unbearable American torture. I could go on and on about the music interruptions from different companies, but it would be pointless. What must be done is simple. Everybody, that feels the same way as I do and still has a functioning ear drum, needs to express their concern to the company that held them captive. There is a reason why people think imprisonment is synonymous with torture.

Random Peeve 1

The incorrect use of the word peruse. I am all for the evolution of words. English majors need jobs too. However, it is unacceptable to have the word evolve into its opposite meaning. Have you ever been told to go peruse a document. This is now a lose-lose situation. If the person uses the word correctly, I should examine the document thoroughly. If the person misused the word and just wanted me to 'skim' the document I will waste my time. Language is to get rid of the ambiguity that grunts and hand waving created.