I think I'm a fairly forward person -- who typically speaks my mind & stands up for myself. But today, in the parking lot of Flynn's pre school, I didn't quite know what to do.
Because we don't use Flynn's school as a day care, as some of the families must do, I get her there much later than everyone else. Actually, as late as possible, because I hate getting my kids up at the crack of dawn. Our commute is a pretty lengthy one (compared to the others) & I'd rather not leave the house before 7:30 am with them.
So, when I pull into the parking lot, we're usually the only ones in the lot. With millions of spaces to choose from.
So, I was a little surprised, when after dropping Flynn off, Gabe & I return to the lot to see a car parked RIGHT NEXT to ours. Oh well. No big deal. Except, their door was completely resting ON my car. It was open as far as it could be, completely making contact with mine. And the mom looked like she was fixing the little girl's hair, belt, backpack, etc. She was straight getting the girl ready IN THE PARKING LOT. Her business, but I always find it rude for someone to allow the end of the door to be making contact with yours (& no doubt scratching it, etc.).
BUT, she was so into her morning preparations (hurriedly & impatiently with the little girl, or so I could overhear), she had NO CLUE that I had gotten to my car & was actually in the process of buckling Gabe in (which was on the side opposite of her; the side closest to the school).
I thought, well, no biggie I guess. I will just make plenty of noise over here so she hears us & maybe will move her door.
Lots of noise.
No movement of the door.
matter of fact, I'm still pretty sure she had no clue we were there. Because at one point, the little girl lost her footing & fell into her OPEN DOOR (resting into my car side),
CREEEEAK. Went the door. It even moved my vehicle. I could tell it was just lodging more into my car. And so, the mom quickly grabbed her daughter, slammed their door shut & WITHOUT EVEN SO MUCH AS LOOKING AT MY CAR, ran inside.
I was dumb-founded.
WHAT DO I DO??? I had no idea if I should call after her for us to look at my car together (which I have done to people before). I don't know the family personally, but know each family by family name & by their child. It's a very small school & very family-oriented.
As I rounded the corner, a quarter-sized pink mark remained on the side of my car. (their car is red) I licked my finger (eeww, germs) & started to swipe at the mark. After lots of elbow grease, I managed to get most of it off, but there's a mark there, probably a scuff, that I was unable to get off.
I was just so shocked. Not only that an adult would do something to someone else's property, but in front of their child, be so careless. Swinging a door accidentally open into another person's car is one thing -- that happens a lot I know. But to know your child/you did something that had to have damaged something of someone else's & show no remorse or responsibility.
I feel like I gave her lots of chances for ownership. I even sat in my car with my window down as she returned. She just seemed to be in a hurry to get to work.
It really bothered me. Probably more than anything, that I wasn't able to be honest & call her on it. But in that moment, I just didn't feel right about it. It would've been ackward every morning, three times a week.
What would you have done?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
That's crazy... I freak out if Alex accidently gets the door near someone else's car but to let it sit there and then let it bump in more that's NUTS! Just think that woman, 'by the way you described her,' must have had something else going on within her life or in her mind or would have had more patience with her daughter and would have noticed you over there. I would have done the same, waited to see if she said anything when she returned, and then driven away dumbfounded. It's not like it's the Target parking lot it's somewhere you have to go for the rest of the year etc... I just wish your favorite color was red. :)
I would have probably done the same exact thing you did. Be irritated at it, give her plenty of chances to say something, and possible even wait for her like you did. In the end I probably wouldn't have said anything just because like you said it would be awkward in the future.
I still don't understand why she felt the need to park right next to you when there was a lot full of empty spaces???? Some people are just strange.
I probably would have done the same thing you did. Try putting some wax on the spot and buff it out. You probably won't even be able to see it!
OMG - I know the feeling. Especially when there are a million other spaces to park. I totally freak out when our door gets anywhere near someone else's.
BTW - Madelyn told me this afternoon that she "REALLY misses FLYNN"! Maybe someday next week we can get together!
People stink.
Isn't it too bad that people are annoying? I'm just kidding but seriously. Didn't her mother teach her manners and she's obviously not teaching her children any either. How annoying.
That's just horrible of her. I'm big on being careful with doors, etc. I won't leave a shopping car in the parking lot either b/c of the damage they can cause. I probably would have done the same as you. I can stand up for myself but it's hard when you know you can't avoid them forever and when the kids are together. I'd hope I'd say something, but it's so much easier to say you will rather than do it when you're there. Especially when your kid is with you - you never know how someone will react.
Sorry about your car!
Post a Comment