Welcome to my Freakdom

There are some things that I have no problem admitting. I'm a shameless neat freak. There you have it. I've noticed in approximately 99% of the housing ads on Craigslist people make a point to say that they are relatively neat "but not a freak about it." And then there's the fact that I'm a grammar Natzi. Anyone who knows me well understands this about me. Poor grammar is a major turn off. While smokers or owning a hundred pound pit bull may be deal breakers for some roommate hunters, bad grammar is something I just can't get past. Welcome to my Freakdom.

I'd like to show you what I mean about the grammar thing. Here are two emails I received in response to my roommate wanted ad posted on Craigslist (I've removed names and emails).

EMAIL #1

"I am interested in taking up the room you have available for rent,i am an occupational nurse,Respectful and easy to get along with.28yrs old,I dont have any pet,but i am pet friendly,dont keep late nights and am straight female with no drama,pls do get back to me if you are looking to rent out asap let me know all that i needs to know about the place.

please have the requirements sent in these form.....

*Total rent Required before moving in
* Utility Bills Do get back to me if the room is still available

Thanks and God bless."

Should I make it clear that proper grammar is absolutely vital if you want me to take you seriously and that the very mention of "God" is a definite 'no fucking way'?

You might not have any "pet" and have a "needs" to know more about the apartment, but I'm sorry, randomly Capitalizing words and not leavingaspacebetweenwords is a major turn off. Why the hell did you feel the need to tell me that you're a "straight" female anyway? Don't even get me started on your run on sentences, lack of apostrophes and bizarre wording. It might be a little harsh, but unless English is your second language, this is pathetic.

EMAIL #2

"Hello There ,

My name is --------, I'm a student from Alaska USA, am coming pertaining to my research course on tourism and culturism, i'll like to know if you have the room advertised on the site still available for rent. I'll like to know more about you,the neighborhood,the room size and total move in cost including untilities cost. You can mail me back at --------------, i really need a place asap.Thanks as i await your reply.

Hope to read from you soonest."

Poor grammar, redundant, spelling errors, awkward sentences, no spaces after commas or too many spaces. "i'll like to know" nothing more about you, dear. Then there's this: "Hope to read from you soonest." WTF!?

Maybe my standards are just too high. I'm not asking for perfection, but really folks? I have an eye for grammar and spelling errors and I'm constantly finding these mistakes in all kinds of printed material. Books, posters, memos, ads, magazines, newspapers, etc. I'd make a great editor, but my lack of an English degree makes that difficult. Does an English minor count? I have one of those!

Maybe I've become exasperated about grammar because all too often some ass hole makes me look bad because he didn't edit properly. Take for instance, my debut into the published world in my university's literary magazine. My two poems and short story were so fraught with errors that I practically hyperventilated when it came out. I have two copies of the lit mag: one untouched and the other all marked up with corrections. There are typos, spacing errors, words smashed together, extra quote marks, and this: "hends" instead of "friends." It was in perfect form when I submitted it, but someone felt the need to destroy it in the publishing process. The guy who edited my work must have been drunk or typing with his toes or a fucking idiot. As you can see, I'm still a little bitter about this. Actually, A LOT bitter. Wouldn't you be?