This morning, I was engaged in a little altercation over the last spot in the closer reserved lot. In Orinda, there are several reserved parking areas. One area is immediately in front of the BART station entrance (let's just call this Lot A), whereas the other (we'll call this Lot B), is about 80 footsteps away. Lot B is really not the end of the world, it's really just an extra 90 seconds of walking, but everyone covets the Lot A reserved spaces, including me!
Usually by the time I pull into the lot, there are maybe 1-2 spaces left in Lot A, on Mondays, Lot A is usually full! This morning, I pulled into Lot A because I eyed an open space from afar. I was so happy!! Wow, a closer space on a Monday! I already knew the quickest way to the space from the lot entrance and instantly pulled into the spot without hesitation. As I was about to take out my keys, I saw a SUV behind me. The driver was angry. Gesturing at me! I didn't know why she was upset as I got out of my car.
She remained parked behind me and yelled, "This is my space, I was circling around the lot, making my way over here, and you took it."
First, I had no clue she was in the lot..and why would you circle around the lot for a space when there is one right in front of you. She obviously didn't see it in time!
I responded politely, "Sorry, I didn't see you, I pretty much turned in and drove directly into the space," and gestured the short and straightforward path that I took to let her know that no circling was needed so it's her loss.
While I hoped the conversation would end there, she went on to say, "I'm in a hurry- I do not have time to look for a space. OK? I got into the lot before you did, I just happened to be on the side!"
I almost lost my cool here but said, "I'm in a hurry too and I didn't see you one way or another alright? You'd probably save some time by going directly to that lot over there instead of arguing with me. It's also reserved parking. There are plenty of spaces."
At this point, I was thinking to myself, "Oh, s*it, my car is going to get keyed for sure, what the heck did I do to myself?" but I'm not moving and I was there first.
To my surprise, she said, "Oh? This is a reserved lot? I didn't know that. Ha. Where is general parking?"
Oh my god, did I just waste my time arguing with someone who didn't even know she wasn't supposed to be there?
I pointed her to the general parking lot and she was off on her way. I almost missed the train because I wasted my time debating with someone who wasn't even entitled to park there!
She should thank me because I saved her from a $20 ticket!
3 comments:
you should have keyed her car. b*tch. just b/c you are *in* the lot doesn't mean you get the rights to a space.
One of my biggest pet peeves are people who use the reserved parking lot at Concord station as a kiss & ride / passenger pickup lot. When I get there in the morning, there are always several folks parked up front either dropping people off, or picking them up. Often they park across several spaces as if the lines don't mean anything.
I suppose the massive "RESERVED PARKING" signs don't mean much when you don't care.
She did owe you a big thank you. It woulda been perfect to see a big fat ticket on her windshield... especially had you given up the fight and she had taken the space. Woulda served her right.
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