It was a beautiful Saturday morning, a cool breeze off the harbour, and the city was in good spirits as folks made their way to the farmers market. It was 7:30am, still early in market terms, and we were looking for a parking spot. We drove passed the lot and noticed a car had left, and since I saw not only that free space, but another five or six, I stopped and, very politely – I might add, asked if we could park there. YOU so aggressively barked back “NO! We have to make room for more cars, we’re pretty damn full here in case you couldn’t see!”
Sir, was that REALLY necessary? Could you maybe have said “Sorry I have to let a few more out before I can let some more in”, or maybe even made a suggestion as to where I may find a spot. Yelling at folks eager only to scour the market for kale and tofu and enjoy the nice weather… how is that any way to start your day?
You know, I COULD have yelled something snarky right back, I COULD have used my most nagging Bart Simpson retort (“Way to guard the parking lot, Top Gun”), but I did not. Instead we found a place to park elsewhere… and I cried. Yes that’s right, I cried. Does this make me kinda lame? Yes, it does. And I realize that. And I’m not trying to make this a sob story – but the next time you decide to tell someone off for asking if they can park, perhaps consider the fact that that question, is not a personal attack… it’s not an insult… it’s a question… ONLY a question. So maybe, you know…calm down…just a little?
And perhaps consider a little wisdom from good old Plato: “BE KIND, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”. —Joyfulness may only commence once INSIDE
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2010.
You should have thrown hot coffee on him. That’ll learn em.
Who was this idiot? They got a parking person there on Saturdays?
Was this in front of Garrison brewery? Think I encountered the same unpleasant guard a couple weeks ago.
if you’re a chick no; if you’re a dude yes 🙂
I had to think about your comment for a long while martym…it read like you were saying no to a chick and yes to a dude. Then I realized it was in response to the question: was it necessary?
perhaps not nth ; perhaps not
I thought Martym was referring to whether or not it was lame that the OP cried…
There’s nothing at all wrong with men crying; it all depends on context. Spilling a full bottle of beer, listening to a bootleg recording of Springsteen’s “Backstreets” during a thunderstorm, the opening scene of “Free Willy”, the Pickett’s Charge sequence from “Gettysburg” – all these are not just acceptable, but recommended. Crying because a parking lot commissar was mean to you – blame it on the hormones.
That market is overpriced. No wonder the guy barked at you. $5 for a bunch of carrots vs $2.49 at Sobeys. Of course he’d be pissed.
I agree with OP. Very lame. You need to live on a deserted island and make regular calls to a mainland shrink. Being this emotionally weak in mainstream society is weak. There must be other issues in your life besides a grumpy lot attendent. If there isn’t, read my first 2 lines again.
Don’t ask them…just do it.
I had a co worker tell me the other day , he couldn’t get a particular day off.
He asked me how I did it. He said I asked for Tuesday off & was told i couldn’t have it.
That”s when I told him when I was little & lived with my Mommy & daddy, I ASKED FOR THINGS.
When I was in elementary school I asked my teachers for permission.
When I got older I stopped asking people & started TELLING THEM.
Which is what I did to the Coordinator 3 weeks before I wanted the Tuesday off
I AM NOT GOING TO BE HERE ON TUESDAY, the 27th of July -period- There was no discussion.
Simple enough ‘eh.
Learn to take charge of your life…don’t be a doormat.