With Thanksgiving next week, I was jotting down thoughts for a column about things I’m thankful for in Amherst. Perhaps inevitably, that also inspired thoughts of stuff that drives me nuts. So in a few days I’ll be thankful, but today I’ll be peevish. These are not the pressing problems of our time – big issues warrant separate columns. Instead, this is a collection of the petty and merely annoying.

Those who litter. Who are these people who throw a wrapper, can or bag on the ground? I think this calls for vigilante justice.

Businesses that aren’t open when they’re supposed to be. Why post your hours if you aren’t going to conform to them? How many times do you think someone is going to keep trying after a couple of instances of finding you inexplicably closed?

Bicyclists flouting traffic rules. Hey – that red light means stop for you too, pal.

Entering and exiting the Big Y plaza on University Drive. Really, could you make that any worse if you tried?

Groups of two or three people walking side by side who won’t yield any room on the sidewalk to oncoming walkers. Don't worry – I'll just walk in the grass so none of you need to break stride.

Spray paint on the sidewalks from Dig Safe and the utility companies. It never goes away. I understand their need to mark stuff, but isn’t this graffiti?

The Dump. Transfer Station – whatever. It’s hardly ever open and you have to pay for a sticker just to drop off recyclables. Why would Amherst, of all places, make recycling such a pain in the neck?

People who don’t pick up after their dogs – especially on downtown sidewalks. How rude and clueless could you be?

Owners of local businesses who don’t say hello or be friendly when you are in their store. Sure, they’re plenty friendly with the people they know – but what about the rest of us?

Sets of double doors where only one of the doors opens. Even Town Hall is like this. Would it kill you to unlock both doors?

Town Meeting members who rarely or never show up. If you are no longer willing or able to attend, then please – do everyone a favor and resign your seat. Unless you’ve died, in which case you are excused. And sorry about that, by the way.

Roads where the sidewalks just end, like East Pleasant Street, North East Street and Strong Street. Can’t get there from here.

The whole “cars are evil” thing. This is becoming an increasingly fashionable and tiresome topic. Unless you practice what you preach, spare us the platitudes.

The ubiquity of tip jars. Does every merely competent action require a tip? Just how low are our expectations these days anyway?

UMass as scapegoat for everything. Guess what? Without it, Amherst would be East Podunk. Our high property values, good schools and rich and diverse cultural offerings aren’t just happenstance.

Next week I’ll get to the good stuff. In the meantime, what did I miss? Chime in with your own local pet peeves below.

-- Stephanie O’Keeffe