More things that are irritating me immensely

I did think the list in my recent “list of irritating things” post was oddly short. Forgive me while I expand:

1. The fact that no restaurant in Joburg – no matter how pricey – knows the meaning of ‘seared tuna’. Sitting in an upmarket restaurant for lunch the other day, I saw that the fish of the day was tuna. Now I’ve had experiences in Jozi restaurants in the past that warned me not to tempt fate, but hell, I’m stubborn and hopeful, so went ahead. “Do you do the tuna seared?” The waitress had to go ask the chef (huge warning sign, duh!) then came back, adamant that it could indeed be done. “As in, the equivalent of a blue fillet? Just sealed for a few seconds on either side?” She nodded – a bit too violently, in retrospect – so I ordered it. To my detriment, of course. In the rather unlikely event that any Joburg chef (or chef’s friend, spouse, relative, neighbour) happens to read this, please be informed that tuna is more like meat than fish! Yes, we enjoy rare meat, and may want our tuna in that state too (sushi, after all, is popular cuisine, is it not?)

2. When men shake your hand like it’s made of candyfloss. I’m a female, not a delicate piece of china. My bones won’t break, promise. A firm handshake for all work or social introductions, please!

3. The fact that, despite rising petrol prices and its ever-diminishing supply, manufacturers are making bigger cars that glug more petrol than older ones did. Why? Traffic is becoming heavier and smaller cars are more convenient for city driving and parking, anyway, so what gives?

Okay, that’s enough ranting, just had to get it off my chest. Thank you, I feel ever so slightly better.

Ps: while watching Fifth Gear last night, that lesser cousin of Top Gear, I heard a line that would be a great excuse to use for a car accident insurance claim: the steering wheel stopped communicating with the wheels! (more likely, your mouth stopped communicating with your brain, but hey, it’s worth a shot!)