Why misplaced quotation marks are relevant to the pursuit of happiness.

One of my resolutions is “Make a joke of it.” This is an incredibly difficult resolution to keep, but it really works when I can pull it off. (Which is rare, I have to admit, but I’m trying.)

I was reminded of this resolution when I came across the “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks.

From now on, instead of getting annoyed by the rampant maltreatment of quotation marks, the existence of the blog makes them funny. When I spot an ungrammatical example, I can imagine myself posting a picture of it, so zillions of people could enjoy the fun.

But turning an irritation into a joke is hard, because when I’m feeling irritated, the first thing that goes is my sense of humor.

I did manage to do it with one of the Big Man’s annoying habits, and it really did help.

The Big Man has an odd quirk of hiding information. I’ll ask him, “What are you making for dinner?” or “What movie did you rent?” and he won’t tell me. Why not? I have no idea.

I’d been trying unsuccessfully to be patient about this idiosyncrasy, but then I decided to acknowledge my feelings—with humor.

“Are you in the C.I.A?” I asked him, after he refused to tell me what time he’d arranged for us to meet another family for brunch.

“No, why?”

“Because you operate on a need-to-know basis,” I tell him. “N-2-K. You won’t tell me what time we need to leave, you won’t tell me why you’re going to the drugstore.”

He laughs. “That’s right, N2K! Need-to-know only!”

The next time he refused to answer me, I said something about N2K. It didn’t change what he did, but it did a lot to lighten my attitude.

Now, if only someone would start a blog for confused uses of “It’s” and “It is” and “Its.”

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I'm very interested in the blog My Open Wallet. The relationship between money and happiness is very complex, and this blogger writes about her relationship with money in an unusually frank and open way. I was also very intrigued with her "My Rules" column in the upper right-hand corner. They reminded me of my Twelve Commandments. If you're trying to shape your behavior, I really have come to believe in the efficacy of making a list like this.

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Comments

[Mrs. Micah]

I'll have to check it out. The editor in me can get mad when people seem to have no clue about simple grammar--but now I can enjoy the amusing side. :)

[Jackie Danicki]

I hate to start so many sentences this way, but: My shrink says that rules are like a good parent, guiding us toward behavior that is valuable to us and will make us live a happier life. Those whose only experience of rules comes from bad parents who commanded things be done which served the parent's needs, not the child's, usually have a much harder time with ANY rules (even if it's "eat your favorite food at least twice a day") for this reason. I found that interesting, since I have such a hard time with being told what to do - even telling myself what to do.

[Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk]

Great timing! At the moment I'm on hold dealing with an ongoing problem getting reimbursed by my medical insurance. It helps to regard it as a little test to see how well I'm really doing devoting myself to happiness as a spiritual practice. That's the theme of Cheerful Monk. My other blog, Transforming Stress Into Personal Power also requires me to practice what I preach. So it's making that public commitment to handle life well that keeps me on the right track. :)

[Damon]

Read on a license plate frame (emphasis added).
"I'd rather push a Chevy THEN drive a Ford"

[Analisa Roche]

Thank you thank you for both links! I am with you on the it's/its blog - wonder if Google would turn up anything? ;)

[adora]

There really is a blog on apostrophe abuse!
http://u2019.blogspot.com/

My building manager has terrible grammatic skills. Someone went around the building one night with a red pen to correct all her notes in manners of grade school teacher with sarcastic comments. It was pretty funny.

[Helen]

Someone else thinks unnecessary quotation marks are funny? Woohoo, I'm not alone!

[Craig Harper]

Hey Gretchen,
I'm always getting hammered by editors for my misuse of grammar. Recently I wrote:

I love the mentality that says "single at that age, must be something wrong with him!"
Yep, had plenty of that.
"He's how old?.. and no woman, must have a lot of issues."
"Poor thing."
Interesting psychology that. Yet, very common.

I was severely reprimanded! LOL.

[Marie Lopez]

This post is useful for...

[Amanda]

I found just last week that I easily got frustrated with someone who could not understand why "your awesome" was incorrect after repeated tries at explanation. I got frustrated to the point of letting it ruin my whole day. Next time, I'll try to find humor in the situation :) This is a great topic for us grammar nerds!

[Amanda]

I found just last week that I easily got frustrated with someone who could not understand why "your awesome" was incorrect after repeated tries at explanation. I got frustrated to the point of letting it ruin my whole day. Next time, I'll try to find humor in the situation :) This is a great topic for us grammar nerds!

[Dave Bennett]

For some more punctuation fun, look up the book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss. Great fun, and some pertinent comments on the state of punctuation in the present day.

[adora]

Dave's message reminded me Apostrophe Protection Society which was mentioned in "Eats, Shoots and Leaves". Do check out the APS group on Facebook. There are many pictures of the offense.

[adora]

p.s. this is the URL for the APS group on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2207454063

[Jezebeau]

Its hard sometimes for people who didn't grow up in environments wear reading was encouraged to find the proper grammar for what their saying. Its never been one of my younger sisters strong points, and she's still having trouble they're why'll working on an education degree.

[mel]

Holy kermoley! I'm an information hider, too! Not important stuff, but the same kinds of things your husband keeps mysterious... supper plans, etc. Let me know if you ever find out the deep psychology behind it.

[Wesley]

Yes but how to do feel about people who make quotation marks with their fingers while talking? That's a little harder to "ignore."

[Heather at Grace303]

One of my pet peeves is misuse of the word literal. For example, the basketball announcer says "He is literally on fire." Obviously, he means figuratively, since I don't see any flames... In all seriousness, this is a great post, and I think it is worth trying to turn these sorts of annoyances into a joke. I like the way you are handling your secretive husband.

[memcinto9]

Even better is The Gallery Of "Misused" Quotation Marks
http://www.juvalamu.com/qmarks/

... better because of the hilarious comments about each mistake. Example:

The sign by the deposit drawer outside my bank says:
Please "Do Not" deposit cash.
I wonder if this is why my checks always bounce?

Comment: If you deposit cash anyway I'm sure your account will be "credited."