My parents did not have a car and neither did my husband's. People who could afford a car could easily afford a chauffeur (getting someone to work for you did not cost much). Needless to say, we did not know what a parking meter was. When I left for England in 1971, going to work by underground railroad was actually very relaxing. No traffic back ups, no gasoline expense and no parking meters. Then moving to the US suburbs, driving has been quite smooth. Occasionally I would have to go to Broadway to DMV or other official work and there I either ask my husband to drop me or stay in the car so there is no parking violation. My husband is very helpful when he sees that you are vulnerable and he knows that I panic while pulling out the car from a narrow parking spot onto the busy traffic of the busiest place of businesses. How I wish I was like some of my friends who can zoom in and out of tiny spaces without hesitation. I do put a quarter in the parking meter anyway in spite of my husband yelling at me. I simply say I do not want to be penny wise and pound foolish, you never know if there is a dime-size camera or even what about our inner voice. He keeps grumbling and I am quiet telling myself that I did the right thing.
So, I may be paranoid about breaking rules. Does our government need that quarter? I am not so sure about that. According to a disgruntled driver, he was given so many unfair parking tickets that he could not take it anymore. So what does he do? He goes and shuts the coin slots, dollar slots, and even credit card slots in a lot of parking meters with glue. The police have their way of finding out when vandalism of this kind takes place. They stayed on top of things and now he is arrested.
My question is when people find things to be unfair, have they ever heard about people who did not have a right to vote in some countries?
22 comments:
I don't know but I'd pay the quarter for peace of mind. It is worth it to me. sandie
Follow the rules, it is better. Finding parking in my area sometimes is impossible.
Better to be safe than sorry.
It sounds as though you are doing a fine job driving.
Try not to worry so much.
Be well. Blessings. Barb
I finally turned in my "1 DUCK" licence plate for a much needed handicapped plate. I have been driving for over 60 years. I miss my old plate, but at least I can now park in a metered space without paying!
I'd put a quarter in it, just in case. You never do know.
Too many people think about what is unfair for them and not how things are in relation to everyone and everywhere else.
I'd go with putting the quarter in. That way it wouldn't be on my mind. Better to be safe than sorry.
I'm trying to teach my children that if you think a rule is unfair you can work to change it, but you shouldn't break it until then.
You are doing the right thing. The man who glued the meters lets small things get him upset. That is no way to live, and you are right, we have it so much better than most countries.
Well, that guy sure let his anger get the best of him, and it came back to bite him in the butt. He destroyed public property, so he has to pay the price for breaking the law. It kind of reminds me of the old movie, "Cool Hand Luke." Luke was a war hero. One night he was drunk and he cut off the tops of parking meters (with some tool). He was sent to an awful prison in the middle of swamplands, and I won't tell you the rest, but it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. Paul Newman starred in it.
Oh, I think many people in this country take the right to vote and our freedom for granted.
Hi Munir,
That guy who went berserk with the meters reminds of that Michael Douglas movie where he gets outraged over a number of aggravations including the fast food restaurant that wouldn't serve him breakfast because it had just gone past breakfast time.
Voting is right that must be embraced. I know I'm thankful to live in Britain and realise the reassurance of universal healthcare.
Take very good care.
Gary
exactly! good point Munir!
I laughed about the person glueing the slots of the meter. (no disrespect intended) where did it get him?
oh well :)
have a wonderful weekend!
Revolution is at the core of American philosophy. When one doesn't agree, it is ingrained within us to challenge those. Some people just go about it a lot differently than others.
I'm such a rule follower, I'd never even think about it not being right.
He used so much energy to ruin the meters, wouldn't it just have been easier to put a stupid quarter in instead? Oh well, I'm a rule follower. Life is hard enough without making it worse!
Hi Munir:
Great story. Sorry the guy allowed the cities strick guidelines to push him over the edge; but there was more going on than he allowed others to know. Poor thing.
Yes I am back. At least for a short moment. I wondered how you an Monalisa were doing. I hope you had a great holiday.
I don't get angry about stuff like that any more. When I was a kid, I remember being very upset about the fact that life is not fair. I guess some people don't get over that. I'm glad I decided to become a US citizen so I can vote.
I'm a big follower of rules... getting angry just works me up, not anyone else, so better to take a light hearted approach to some things:)
I always put in too much money...I'd rather be safe than sorry. Last year I got a parking ticket (I deserved it), but then I was late sending it in and had to pay the fine plus double the fee for being late. :( I figure if I put in an extra 50 cents it's well worth not having to worry about it.
I'm not good at small parking spaces either. I'd rather park further away and walk than try and squeeze into a small spot. :)
Have a safe week!
Rules are there for a reason, and really, are they all that hard?
Thanks so much for droppin in on youngish...
Munir,
I too am a rule follower and basically do it because I believe rules are in place for the safety of others. That doesn't mean I agree with ALL rules but we as American citizens have the opportunity to vote for those who make our rules, and that is a priviledge.
great post...
Holy cow! I don't park where there's meter's because I always forget to put the coins in the machine.
I get upset when I have to pay $2.00-$5.00 to visit a sick person in the hospital. My dad has been sick off and on since Thanksgiving and going to visit him requires me to have cash in hand...to pay for Parking! With as broke as I have been, this can be challenging! A quater is cheap - but you could probably find it laying in the street. Certainly NOT worth going to jail over.
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