Ever deal with someone who, when they're in a stressful situation, absolutely shuts down?
I mean I'll say, "hey, which are you going to use, paper or plastic? You'll be late for your own birthday party!"
They say.... nothing. They just take on a thousand-yard stare and become unresponsive. The more you try to snap them out, the deeper their mind retreats. Know that one?
There's also perpetual denial, a.k.a., losing focus and fixing the wrong problem peeve:
"Our budget came back 10% over, and we need to either downgrade the railing or the ceiling. Which alternate system would you prefer?"
"....why can't we reduce the lighting?"
"Because any less lighting and people will be walking into walls. So which is it?"
"Can we take out some lights?"
"No."
"We need to rework the lighting. How did the lighting get so elaborate?"
Then there's the obsess over inane details peeve.
"The river is overflowing! Help me sandbag the front door, and then we'll climb up to the roof to safety!"
"I better make sure I have clean towels!"
Finally, there's the always assume the worst peeve:
"Hey, sorry I didn't get your email sooner."
"Were you that guy who murdered the family in their home? Seems like it happened around the same time."
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