First of all, I just made that title up. As far as I know, it is not a real thing. It’s more a personal observation.

I find it rather annoying when someone corrects me. Especially when it is done without solicitation. I suppose I am not humble enough to receive correction. But here’s the kicker, I am also a corrector. I have corrected people and I just want to put it out there that I’m sorry. But let me try and explain the why so maybe you will have some mercy upon us correctors.

I don’t correct you because I am a mean person that enjoys pointing out flaws just to be nasty. At least, I don’t think I’m a mean person. But when I hear something that is incorrect or see something that isn’t right I have to let you know that it is out of order. It’s more of a compulsion. Think of it as a verbal OCD tendency. I need to put the facts in order even if they are spoken.

There have been times when I have literally fretted over what someone said. “Let it go,” I tell myself, “it’s not important.” But the thing is, I can’t just let it go. I have to tell them or let them know. My mind can’t focus on other things and I can’t forget. It’s like fingers on a chalkboard. Although that frame of reference is losing potency. It’s like sitting next to someone playing with bubble wrap.

It takes a high level of maturity and self-awareness to control the corrections. More than I currently possess. The corrections, though I try to keep quiet, still slip out before my filter can block all of them. To be honest, I hate when someone corrects me. That’s how I started to discover that maybe, just maybe, I might be annoying other people.

I’m not sharing this to excuse myself or others. That would be hypocritical to ask you to overlook our flaws while we point yours out. I’m just trying to explain that we are probably not a one-dimensional tv character intent on being annoying. We may require order even in speech. So, try and work with us. And try and love us anyway.

Let me ask you, if you are familiar with Charlie Brown do you find his friend Lucy annoying or do you feel sorry for her for being misunderstood?