Every now and then life’s little irritations can become too much to bear and we feel the need to settle the score.
Suddenly and unpredictably we lash out against innocent bystanders, uncontrollable circumstances or even inanimate objects that bother us.
Psychologists refer to it as Intermittent Explosive Disorder. The rest of us just call it “enough is enough”.
That appears to be what happened in St. Catharines, Ont. last week at a local coffee shop.
Upon discovering that her drink was not to her liking one disgruntled patron stormed back into the store in a caffeine-deprived coffee rage to express her extreme dissatisfaction.
Now that same woman is facing court proceedings after being charged with uttering threats at her neighborhood Tim Hortons.
There was no mention of the exact beverage-related problem - whether it was too sweet or too hot or a double double when she ordered a triple triple – so who knows?
This is just one example of how normally polite Canadians sometimes react to minor inconveniences in daily life. We aren’t as laid back and easy going as we think.
It’s been said that you always hurt the one you love, but it is still surprising to see irate customers lashing out at one of our most beloved purveyors of coffee and crullers.
In spite of those heart-warming TV ads, Timmy’s seems to be a target for outrage in this country. There have been other coffee confrontations.
One man in New Brunswick was forced to make his own coffee at home after being banned for life from his local Tim Hortons.
It seems he complained too often and too aggressively about the burnt coffee and the manager took action. No problem with the coffee now.
In response to long lines and long waits many restaurants have added a drive through lane. Unfortunately, waiting in a car line is as frustrating as waiting in line at the counter.
One enraged Calgary consumer responded by cutting in line and waving a hand gun to keep the other patrons at bay. He decided to have it his way.
Another devoted coffee drinker in Calgary loves the taste of the brew, but takes great exception to those “flimsy, razor-like” take-out lids.
If he gets his coffee opened without spilling he sometimes cuts his tongue and lips on the jagged, plastic edges. He often ends up with a “double double puddle” in his lap.
His scathing letter to customer service is posted on line for the benefit of sarcastic coffee drinkers everywhere.
Canadians spend a lot of time hanging out in donut shops and we take our hot beverages seriously.
Dissatisfied customers will often defend their turf, sometimes with anger-fueled gusto.
Of course not all Canadians are coffee drinkers. Fortunately daily life offers many other challenges and opportunities for unbridled rage.
Most of us have witnessed or been the victim of a packaging phenomenon known as “wrap rage” – the frustration of trying to open one of those molded, plastic clamshells.
Angry consumers resort to knives, razor blades and even hammers trying to free the contents from an impervious, plastic bubble. Injuries and profanity often result.
The same goes for tamper-proof caps and heat-sealed, pull apart, re-sealable packages. And who hasn’t pulled their hair out in response to “some assembly required”.
Modern life is full of little annoyances, irritations and aggravations and sometimes we respond emotionally with rage and aggression.
When it’s over we often feel a sense of relief and even pleasure but when we think about it later there are often regrets and remorse.
It might be better to relax and have a coffee.
