I know, you’re wondering what I’m going to do with THAT title! Well, you can usually find a “message” in just about anything. So, let’s start with “sidewalks”.
Every morning I take a two-mile walk, mostly for health reasons – I want to keep “it” (health) strong, and at least some form of exercise helps do that. My area of choice is a nearby sidewalk that is five blocks long – ¾ of a mile – from our “main drag” to the local library. Being in Florida, it is flat and easy to walk.
There are a few other neighbors who take the same walk, but I notice that there are those who will not cross the 18-foot-wide street to get on the sidewalk! They walk on the edge of the road with their backs to the oncoming vehicles. Since this street takes traffic to and from the library it is heavily traveled, and the “street walkers” make walking (and driving) a hazard.
Usually you will see kids (teens), walking three abreast taking up one whole side of the narrow “country” road. With traffic going in both directions, one car will have to stop to allow the other to pass. Blowing the horn usually only results in the “middle finger greeting” by the kids.
But, some time, especially later in the day, one can see whole families, with small toddlers, going in the same direction, toward the library. They just won’t get on the sidewalk that parallels the road but is on the opposite side!
It makes one wonder why they won’t take the few extra steps to walk safely on the sidewalk. The way some people drive, personally I just don’t want to take the chance of being hit!
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Moving to the parking lot of the local shopping center, we experience the saga of the shopping carts. I could spend the whole time talking about the parking lot; like those who park at an angle, taking up two parking spaces, or long pickups that jut out SO FAR that, if you are next to them, you can’t see oncoming traffic without first backing halfway out. Or, those who have to find an empty space next to the store entrance so that they won’t have to walk far, but will go to the gym to get their exercise. But, let’s stick to the carts.
I can’t count the number of times that I have seen people unload their purchases into their car and leave the cart beside their car when backing out, making for tricky maneuvering by the next person. Or, how about those who place empty carts in a vacant space next to their car, preventing anyone from using that space until someone moves it?
Probably the best example of “I just don’t care” is the person who is parked next to the cart collection rack and, after using their cart, leaves it against the adjacent car door instead of placing it in the rack!
In like manner, very few people will take empty carts into the store but will complain when they have to wait a few seconds for carts to be brought in. Wal-Mart previously had an award program as incentive for bringing empty carts in, but they discontinued that campaign from lack of participation.
You’ve heard about “road rage” but can we coin the phrase “parking lot rage”?
I try to (but not always do) take a wayward cart back to the store when I go shopping. And, there’s nothing better than the smile of a little old lady or a mother with her child in the car seat when you clear a cart from the only space available, allowing them to use that space.
It pays to be a good neighbor. Someone may consider YOU sometime when you are in need!
