One of the down sides of seeing doctors in the biggest & best medical center in the country is that when one sees said doctors one must park in the medical center parking garages, which cost upwards of $12 a day and are quite limited in their spaces. I park remotely when I work and take the train in, but when I’m only going to an appointment for an hour or so it’s about the same price to use the garage, so I do.
It was last December, after I saw my OB/GYN regarding infertility for the first time. A lot of courage was required for me to make that appointment, and I was a nervous wreck. After it was over, I had a lot to think about and I wanted to tell David about it right away. My plans for immediately after my appointment were to visit a friend who’s house I had never been to before, so I intended to sit in my car, talk to my husband about the appointment, and then look up directions on my phone before pulling out of the garage.
I was in the middle of my conversation with David when someone approached my window and knocked, then proceeded to make some angry gestures that I was mildly offended by. I got the gist that someone wanted my parking spot, and they wanted it RIGHT THAT SECOND. Caught unawares and never wishing to upset anyone, I said a flustered goodbye to my husband and began the process of pulling out of the parking space. (This was back when I had my truck with no power steering, and trust me it was a very painful process). What topped it off was that when I finally pulled away, there were tons of open spots right around the corner.
I chalked that incident up to a crazy person; surely people don’t routinely FORCE others out of their parking spots. Oh ho, my friends, they DO!
The same thing happened again yesterday: I went to my acupuncture appointment, parked in one of the medical center garages, and when I was finished began looking up directions to the nearest post office on my phone. When I heard a honk I ignored it. When I heard another, longer this time, I looked in my rearview mirror to see a few cars piled up waiting on me. Well, I was determined to stand my ground this time. I would leave when I was good and ready!
Several minutes went by while I waited for my phone to load the directions. Service isn’t the greatest in the garage, you know. I considered leaving to avoid any possible conflict, but there is no place to pull over in the medical center and since I refuse to use my phone while I drive I would be forced to wander around aimlessly until I found a place to park, most certainly completely out of my way. No, I would make them wait. It was still MY spot anyway, right?
Soon enough, a man from one of the cars couldn’t stand it any longer and marched up to my window and banged. I calmly rolled it down.
“We need your spot! There’re six cars piled up all waiting for you. Are you leaving or are you not?” he all but yelled at me.
Nonplussed, I looked him in the eye and said, “I have to figure out where I’m going first.” He walked away.
Just then, my directions were ready, but I waited a few extra moments before leaving anyway on principle. Victory is sweet.
From Tabaitha:
People seriously can be so rude. I had to smile when you said you waited a few extra moments before leaving due to principle.
From Stephany:
It really annoys me when people hold up traffic just because they want a good parking space. I see this all the time in regular parking lots, which just makes me take my time even more than usual.
I’ve never had someone come up to me, though! That would scare me!
From Emily Jane:
People CAN be so rude!! Good for you for waiting a few extra moments :)
From Carl:
Good for you. I love it.
From Katy:
I think it’s especially stupid of those people to walk up to a perfect stranger and demand the person’s parking spot! How do those people behind you know you don’t have a crazy streak!!???
Just the same, glad you stood your ground. =)
From Nikki:
That is an awesome story! I know I get annoyed when I see someone get in their car and not immediately pull out of their spot – now I realize, like you, they might need to know where they’re going first. A lesson in patience for me!
From Nora:
That’s so frustrating.
Last year around Christmas time, my family and I were going back to our car to put our wreaths in the trunk (we are at the botanical gardens), and we noticed someone waiting for our spot. I shouted to him that we weren’t leaving yet and gestured for him to move on. He didn’t. He waited even longer, so I did it again, closer to his car this time.
After we put the wreaths in the trunk, we walked back towards the botanical gardens to look at the trees and etc, the dude gave us the finger and shouted at us using words that were incredibly rude. I was kind of in shock. It was *Christmas* time!
SO, I know how you feel :) And victory like that is sweet.
From kapachino:
Grr! That story brings back all my feelings of righteous indignation. What is with people and parking spaces??
From Elizabeth:
Way to stick it! I totally would have done the same thing.
From Lauren From Texas:
I seriously can’t take it when people are waiting for a spot that is TWO FEET closer to the door instead of going down a little further. Maybe that’s why everyone is so unhealthy, they’re afraid of walking! I have muttered many times under my breath at those people… usually at Wal-Mart. :) Good for you for standing your ground.
From Sara:
That was a smart decision for you to stay put! He just caused more problems for other people by waiting for you so he is really to blame. Sometimes I will do that to another person at a grocery store especially on the weekend. :X It won’t kill anyone to walk a few more spots away. :)
From dadman:
As a Person I applaud you for standing up for yourself and your principles. It’s what I’d have done and am proud that got passed on to you.
As a Dad I really worry about stuff like this. People are so crazy these days, you never know if they’re carrying weapons or not. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles and which mountaintop to die on.
Keep your door locked and your window up when strangers approach like that. Gosh I sound so much like a Dad.
From kapachino:
It’s okay DAD, you’re allowed to sound like that! Also, that’s exactly what David said to me, so know that I’m in good hands. :)
From steph anne:
Sweet!! I would have done the same thing too. Sometimes I do the same thing and try to look up directions but do not turn my car on or put my foot on the brakes until I’m ready to go. People need to learn to be more patient!