Few people will read this thread and not recognise and sympathise with one or more of the traits already mentioned. Unfortunetaly it is all a part of lifes rich tapestry to a large extent. What irritates one person, will go completely un-noticed by someone else. To that extent a lot of the problem is also in the perception.
One of the disadvantages of this occupation is that you tend to be locked in a very small room for sometimes very large portions of a day, with someone who (rarely) might otherwise cause you to self harm or consider homicide. I suspect this is why airlines look for people who display all those CRM skills that they now teach and assess on every relevant occaision. On the positive side you aren't likely to have to spend more than a few days in such annoying company.
What you can do about irritations largely depends on your negotiating skills and seniority. Some people are very adept at conveying a message that both gets through and isn't confrontational or provocative. Likewise others rely on their authority to terminate a practice they find irritating. For those on the receiving end, their own day will come if they survive long enough. There are some blurred divisions between keenness and overconfidence, or relaxed and comotose etc. Whatever standardisation you impose, or however many CRM courses you attend, as long as human beings are still involved that will always be the case. The best you can hope for is a better understanding of the human condition, and a better self awareness.
In the meantime, God help that F/O who sniffs every 8 seconds of the day, if I have to fly with them again tommorow!
