Why are some people more annoying than others?
Why are some people more annoying than others? It’s not just them — it’s also your brain, your boundaries, and the situation teaming up. Big Picture Why this question matters We all know a few people who feel instantly more annoying than others: the coworker who overshares, the neighbor who talks too loudly, the friend who always runs late. “Annoying people” are usually a mix of clashing expectations, habits that add friction, and your own state of mind. This piece explains why certain people trigger you, when annoyance is a real red flag (not just a pet peeve), and how to respond more intentionally instead of just simmering or avoiding them. Annoyance is a feature, not a bug Annoyance is your brain’s low-level alarm system. It pops up when a boundary is brushed, a norm is broken, or your attention is stretched too far. That talkative colleague or interrupting friend isn’t just “annoying”—they’re a signal that something in the interaction doesn’t match what you expected or can ha...