Is it just me?

I was driving today and noticed that, under my pinkie, the surface of the "aluminum" shifter felt odd.

When I stopped I cranked my head around to the passenger side of the **** and found that the paint was wrinkled and had begun to chip away.

This painted area is the place between the leather on the **** and the metal ring above the boot...

Has anyone else experienced this? I did a search and couldn't find anyone with the same problem.