It's interesting how we, as humans, tend to make life more difficult for ourselves on a daily basis through silly actions, words and circumstances. Sometimes, all you have to do is step back and observe the world around you to realize things could be so much simpler and happier for us all if we just took a moment to observe and consider the world around us.
But that would just take way too much time in our busy, packed and hectic schedules.
Let's take parking for example. As you all know already, my esteemed colleague, Mr. Mathieu St-Pierre, is the King of All Parking lots. Respecting parking space lines is much too far beneath him. And in his case, I'll let it slide.
For the rest of you: What's the deal?
Once again, I feel like this is an elementary lesson we shouldn't need to revisit. I can't tell you how many times I've had to circle a parking lot (unnecessarily) looking for a decent spot to park my average-sized vehicle. From severe angles to hogging two, three, sometimes even four spots, it's as if drivers nowadays are in such a rush they just feel they need to enter the parking lot area, stop the car, turn it off and get out. There, job done. Lines? What lines?
Besides being highly inconsiderate to your fellow drivers (kind of like walking around with your middle finger up all the time), parking like a ('scuse my French) pr*ck is one of those highly unnecessary complications I was talking about in the beginning. Your lack of observation for lines or proximity to the car beside you causes a ripple effect.
I know because I've been a part of that ripple effect. From parking like a douche because I had no choice but to follow the severe angle of the car beside me to using the bumper of the car behind me to squeeze out of a parallel parking spot because they decided to park on top of me and left me no choice; parking wars are not a pretty sight. Sure, it can be amusing (a la St-Pierre), but in general it's just not nice for anyone.
There's a reason we go through driving school and learn to park correctly. It's not just to torture you as a newbie driver, despite how it feels. You learn to protect yourself and your car.
How many times have you felt enraged by the idiot who parked so close to your driver's side door that it took you a good 5 minutes to squeeze and wriggle yourself into your own vehicle? You're a reasonable, rational human being so you didn't retaliate, but think of all the people out there who aren't as reasonable or rational. Cue your car getting keyed... or worse.
Today's world is a fast-paced, non-stop whirlwind of social network updates, coffee dates, lunch meetings, emails, phone calls, and general non-stoppery; but that doesn't mean you can't take an extra 10 seconds to park your vehicle correctly in a parking lot or on a street. Consider the cars around you, imagine how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of your bad park job. I know, it's hard to do sometimes, but just give it a shot.
And if you really want to give someone a wake-up call, I recommend printing out and using these as often as possible.
But that would just take way too much time in our busy, packed and hectic schedules.
Let's take parking for example. As you all know already, my esteemed colleague, Mr. Mathieu St-Pierre, is the King of All Parking lots. Respecting parking space lines is much too far beneath him. And in his case, I'll let it slide.
For the rest of you: What's the deal?
Once again, I feel like this is an elementary lesson we shouldn't need to revisit. I can't tell you how many times I've had to circle a parking lot (unnecessarily) looking for a decent spot to park my average-sized vehicle. From severe angles to hogging two, three, sometimes even four spots, it's as if drivers nowadays are in such a rush they just feel they need to enter the parking lot area, stop the car, turn it off and get out. There, job done. Lines? What lines?
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| Photo: Auto123.com |
Besides being highly inconsiderate to your fellow drivers (kind of like walking around with your middle finger up all the time), parking like a ('scuse my French) pr*ck is one of those highly unnecessary complications I was talking about in the beginning. Your lack of observation for lines or proximity to the car beside you causes a ripple effect.
I know because I've been a part of that ripple effect. From parking like a douche because I had no choice but to follow the severe angle of the car beside me to using the bumper of the car behind me to squeeze out of a parallel parking spot because they decided to park on top of me and left me no choice; parking wars are not a pretty sight. Sure, it can be amusing (a la St-Pierre), but in general it's just not nice for anyone.
There's a reason we go through driving school and learn to park correctly. It's not just to torture you as a newbie driver, despite how it feels. You learn to protect yourself and your car.
How many times have you felt enraged by the idiot who parked so close to your driver's side door that it took you a good 5 minutes to squeeze and wriggle yourself into your own vehicle? You're a reasonable, rational human being so you didn't retaliate, but think of all the people out there who aren't as reasonable or rational. Cue your car getting keyed... or worse.
Today's world is a fast-paced, non-stop whirlwind of social network updates, coffee dates, lunch meetings, emails, phone calls, and general non-stoppery; but that doesn't mean you can't take an extra 10 seconds to park your vehicle correctly in a parking lot or on a street. Consider the cars around you, imagine how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of your bad park job. I know, it's hard to do sometimes, but just give it a shot.
And if you really want to give someone a wake-up call, I recommend printing out and using these as often as possible.
 |
| Photo: Auto123.com |