we're all a little annoying.

No one likes feeling annoying. No one likes feeling annoyed. And often, both happen.

I have found this fear come up too often in my journalism career. Except it's usually one-sided; I feel annoying. First of all, I psyche myself out and feel annoying before I even call someone for an interview. There's no denying that some people really don't have the time of day for you or your questions. However, the majority of people do want to share their voice and will kindly talk to you if you give them the opportunity to. So instead of hearing, "Hey, it's me again and I'm here to annoy you some more with my questions," like I say in my head, people are actually hearing, "Hey, I'm calling again to do an accuracy check to make sure all of my quotes and facts are correct." And people appreciate that.

I had this thought the other day that people often get annoyed with others when they are simply doing their job. Think about it. When a police officer writes you a speeding ticket you're annoyed. The waitress that checks on people too frequently is annoying, the teacher that assigns homework: annoyance. Lawyers that are protecting their clients and won't disclose information. American Red Cross callers. Car salesmen. And so on. All of these people, despite their position or title, have one thing in common: they are all doing their job.

So yes, there will be those people that give you heavy sighs, seem annoyed or uninterested in you, or frustrated when you call them at their job. Don't let it get to you; you're just trying to do yours.