Hint: It's the little things that tend to set people off
Revealed: Americans’ Top 10 Everyday Annoyances—And What It Tells Us About the State of Our Country
Published on Jun. 27, 2025
As a New Yorker of more than three decades, I’m not easily rattled or irked—I’ve truly seen it all. But there’s one thing that kind of gets my goat: slow walkers. Whether they’re native city dwellers or tourists from afar, bodies that clog the sidewalk while ambling at a snail’s pace can send me into a tizzy.
My quick fix is to simply zip past these strollers to get where I’m going, and I strive to breathe deeply (thanks, yoga!) when I see pokey folks in my path. But lately, Americans are more annoyed than ever, particularly by tiny, everyday sounds and actions, according to some newly released data.
Are you one of them? And what does this information actually reveal about us as citizens at this moment in time? Take a look at the things that drive a lot of people bonkers, and decide for yourself.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more news, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How was this list of annoying things determined?
This list of annoying things was determined by the polling pros at Talker Research and completed on behalf of the company CBDfx, a firm based in southern California that makes and sells wellness products that contain CBD. To come up with the top 10 list, Talker Research contacted 2,000 adult Americans who’ve tried CBD or THC. The survey was done online over the course of eight days, from April 30, 2025, to May 8, 2025.
What annoys us the most right now?
Many of these vexing things can be boiled down to one common denominator: other people. Yup, it’s the noises, habits and even the mere presence of our fellow man that riles us up. Here are the top three most grating annoyances, according to the survey:
- When I see someone I don’t want to talk to (46%)
- A knock at the front door when I’m not prepared for guests (44%)
- People talking to me when I want silence (43%)
Devorah Heitner, PhD, a psychologist and the author of Growing Up in Public, attributes our excess stress to the fact that “we’re getting so much stimulation all the time,” and clearly other people play a big role. And given the political fracturing many of us have been feeling recently, sometimes interacting is the last thing we want to do lately. Other similar peeves on the list that come from humans are loud chewing and heavy breathing.
What does this reveal about the state of the country?
As for what these little grievances reveal about the state of the country, Heitner says “sensory overload and political filter bubbles” are most likely behind our stressed-out nation, and this situation may be “a byproduct of our current media environment.” Getting away from the news, much of which seems to be worsening by the minute, is nearly impossible when the cycle is nonstop, 24 hours a day.
What else is on Americans’ list of stressors?
After those oh-so-irritating sounds from people, technology is the next most annoying category and rounds out the list. Yup, our phones, computers, iPads and more are at the heart of some common annoyances. We’re talking delayed or lost Wi-Fi connections, beeping alarms and unexpected calls, plus endless texts and various notifications.
Here’s the rest of the top 10 list:
- When my Wi-Fi is lagging or cuts out (40%)
- Listening to someone chew loudly (40%)
- Phone calls when I’m not expecting one (34%)
- Someone near me heavy breathing (25%)
- My alarm clock/alarm (21%)
- Text message alerts (16%)
- My phone/notifications going off during a meeting (15%)
“We’re accustomed to instant connection or getting a fast response, so it’s difficult to adjust to not getting right through to someone, not hearing back instantly or dealing with lagging Wi-Fi,” says Heitner. And some tech-related pet peeves may be generational, she adds. Younger people text with abandon and are used to constant alerts, whereas if you’re older, you may be less keen to receive “breaking news” all the time.
How can you alleviate some of this daily stress?
We’ve got you covered. There are lots of quick and easy strategies to consider. Here are a few from the polling data as well as other ideas you can try from Heitner.
- Chill out with some CBD. With a study funded by a CBD company that polled folks who already sample it, of course this is a suggestion from them. In fact, per the survey, 20% of respondents do indeed rely on CBD gummies, and 30% use THC products when it comes to dealing with their everyday stressors.
- Play a melody. Music soothes the savage beast, or so the saying goes. It can also do wonders for your stress levels, according to research from Stanford University (58% turn on the tunes, says the study).
- Snuggle with your fur baby. Hugging a beloved cat or dog is a popular way for lots of us to calm down, and the research underscores this habit. “Pet cuddles” came in at 32% in the Talker Research report.
- Stash devices. Heitner highly recommends that phones and other tech be “put away physically, out of sight, not just powered down.” The temptation to grab your phone if you see it nearby is just too great.
- Zone out. The polling found that 38% of us engage in focused breathing and meditation to ease anxiety. You might hit up a yoga class in your area or try a session of guided mindful meditation.
- Get outside. Heitner says spending time in nature is an excellent way to shed stress. Find a much-needed change of scenery in your area, whether it’s a park, the woods or just your own backyard.
RELATED:
- New Research: The Top 10 Most Annoying Things About Flying—Ranked
- New Survey: This Big City Ranks No. 1 in the U.S. Happiness Index—You’ll Never Guess Where It Is
- New Study: These Are the Happiest States in America—See Where Yours Ranks
About the expert
|
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Devorah Heitner, PhD, psychologist and author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World; email interview, June 24, 2025
- Talker Research: “Americans lose it over these tiny everyday annoyances”
- Stanford University: “Releasing stress through the power of music”
