I find myself getting frustrated after circling the full parking lot for the third time.  Finally, I spot a place a few spaces over. 

As I approach, I discover the reason it’s available.  The car in the adjacent space is parked in a haphazard fashion, rendering the neighboring  one unusable.  Cars rounding the corner from the other side carefully maneuver around it in order to avoid clipping the car’s back end. I decide, like others before me, to drive on in search of a more user-friendly space.  A couple of  minutes later, I back into a newly vacated spot directly across from the offending car.

While I sit there a few seconds wondering if I’ll get to see the driver of that car, a fellow patron walks up to it with pen and paper and jots down the license plate.  Irritation is written all over her face.  I exit my car and walk in her direction as I head to the grocery store.

“That person sure was in a hurry when they parked their car huh?!” I say to her.

“This is a hazard!” she exclaims.  “I’m reporting this car so the owner can come move it before it causes an accident!” 

I’m glad someone is doing something about it, I mutter to myself, trying to keep my temper from rising.

It occurs to me that I’ve grown increasingly intolerant when I see ill-parked cars lately.  I know a big part of my frustration stems from my perception that people who don’t park their cars properly are being inconsiderate of those who come after them.  I realize they may be in a hurry but their time is no more valuable than anyone else’s.  Their needs are not more important than others’ needs.  It is thoughtlessness, pure and simple.

At least this is the narrative that runs through my mind each time I come across a poorly-parked-car.  I’m not someone who angers easily, but this pet peeve of mine can cause me to become incensed if I let it.

When I return to my car after getting the items I need from the grocery store, the car-in-violation is still parked askew with the driver nowhere in sight.  

In the past, I’ve just stewed about such situations but this time I feel compelled to do something since I clearly won’t be able to talk to the driver  in person.  I tell myself that getting angry won’t change anything; it will just pollute my day.

I sit there contemplating my choices.  Without the benefit of talking to the person face to face, what can I do?   

I decide to leave the driver a note.  Knowing that a nasty one may offer me the opportunity to unload my feelings but do little else, I decide to leave something that will hold him/her accountable in a positive way… one that at least has the potential to change the person’s future parking behavior.  It has the added benefit of making me feel like I’m doing something to rectify the situation.

I leave a note under the windshield wiper blade that says, “Please be considerate of others when parking.  Have a nice day!”  I even add a smiley face for good measure. 

While the driver might not appreciate being “called out” even politely, I’m guessing it will at least give him/her pause the next time they haphazardly pull into a parking space.  🙂

~Zanne

InSearchOfAuthenticity.com

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