Someone once said to me there is a space in front 65 percent of the time. I made the mistake of telling my wife that, now when ever I drive around more than once she reminds me it must be the other 35 percent of the time.
Today as I was searching for a place to park I was honked at three times, given and evil look twice and that was only the first aisle. I guess the road rage extends to the parking lot as well.
I need the exercise so I have been parking future away from the entrance lately, but then when it is cold and raw I still look for the close in spot. They are harder to find now because they seem to be filled by inconsiderate teenagers.
Let me tell you of some of the things I don't like to see in parking lots. Maybe you have seen a few and feel the same way. If you know someone who is doing these things give them a gentle hint to stop.
• My biggest peeve is the person who takes up two spaces to park. They must think that it will save their car finish and no one can park next to them and nick their doors. But in stead someone will pull in and park even closer and they deserve the nicks.
• Parking so close to the driver's side of the car next to you. I'm a big person and I need room to get in and out of my car. So if that is you, and your car is scratched, next time don't park so close.
• Then there is the driver who sees you waiting for a spot and pulls in anyway. I'm reminded of the movie where Kathy Bates smashes her car into a smaller car and then says I may be old but I have better insurance.
• Now the other side of the coin is the guy who parks in the middle waiting for someone to load up and leave, when it is that busy there are many cars trying to find a space and while they block the way other spaces come open and someone else gets them because they won't move.
• Shopper's who are too lazy to return their shopping carts to the designated area and leave then to roll around the parking lot striking cars. I sometimes want to get out and shout at these inconsiderate people. I don't because they don't care and it would be a waste of my anger.
• If you have parked in a crowded parking lot this has probably happened to you: you come back to your car and someone has either run into the bumper or put a nick in the door or some other part of the vehicle is damaged. Who ever did it got away as quick as they could and left you to fit the bill for repairs.
There are other things I'm sure that I could expound on, but you get the picture. People today are inconsiderate of the property of others. Why is that? Because they were brought up that way, what can we do about it?
Well we can start by being aware ourselves. Then teach our children to be respectful of other people's property. It starts in pre-school with the sharing of toys, then throughout all schooling. Children need to be taught that just because someone else does something bad it is not all right to retaliate or follow suite.
We have become a diverse nation in culture and race, but what I see is the new people coming to our country can teach those who live here a lesson. For it is those people who I see that are courteous, considerate and helpful. Maybe it is because they value this life of freedom and don't take it for granted and abuse it.
