People we have met and don't want to
1890's most annoying people
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In 1888, eight years before he founded the Daily Mail, British journalist Alfred Harmsworth launched a weekly periodical named Answers to Correspondents (soon retitled simply as Answers), the main objective of which was to publish answers to its readers most curious questions alongside interesting quotes, facts, and sometimes lists. This one, which graced its pages in 1890, essentially describes the most annoying types of people in the Victorian era. It seems little has changed.
PEOPLE WE HAVE MET AND DON’T WANT TO.
People who make bad puns and jokes, and always expect you to laugh at them.
People who have one stock quotation, which they trot out on all possible occasions, suitable or otherwise.
People (elderly ones) who are always saying, “Ah! things are changed from what they were in my time.”
People who talk at a concert or opera, and won’t let you enjoy the music yourself.
People who come late to theatres, when they have to pass (and tread on the toes of) several people on their way to their seats.
People who want nothing but your candid opinion, and then are offended when it does not coincide with their own.
People who monopolise the talk at a party and spoil any story you may attempt to tell by interrupting or correcting you all the way through, and then observing at the end they've heard something very like that before.
People who address you loudly in public streets, poke you in the ribs, and remark on your increasing stoutness when lady friends are just passing.
People who enter an already crowded railway carriage and deposit their luggage without the slightest regard for the other passengers’ convenience.
People who lounge about, criticise, and distract your attention when you are in the middle of an exciting game.
People who give unnecessary and unasked for advice on subjects of which they know absolutely nothing.
People who always prophecy gloomily about the weather or state of the times, and who have a ghastly memory for accidents, sudden deaths, etc.
People who button-hole you in the middle of the street when you are in a hurry to meet a friend or catch a train.
People who mistake rudeness for sincerity and say, “Where no offence is meant, none should be taken.”
People who have one craze, which they inflict on you at inconvenient seasons.
People who are shamelessly late for everything, and think you ill-tempered for ever venturing to remonstrate.
Lastly, but not least, people who make no attempt. when possible, to increase the popularity and circulation of Answers, and never talk about it.
List taken from Answers magazine (1890), via historian Dr. Bob Nicholson.
People who want nothing but your candid opinion, and then are offended when it does not coincide with their own. Honestly — THE WORST! I’m trying to train myself to say “What do you think ?” before I offer any opinion because this sort of person only wants to share it and has no interest in mine.