(Ridge Heights engraver) Charlie Etche on parking: I try to park perfectly between the lines and as far away from the other cars no matter what the weather. I don't want to bang my door on someone's car, and I definitely don't want them banging their door on my car. I want enough room to get in and out of my car, and I want them to have the same. But sometimes it's just a waste of my time to even think about it. Someone parks next to me making it hard for me to get back in my car even when I've parked alone at the end of the parking lot. Why are you parking near me when there's empty spaces over there? Someone suggested that it's because of a herd mentality. I often wonder how anyone got out of the car, and I start checking my car for dents or scratches. It's really amazing how this happens constantly! Sometimes when I can get the last space in a row I'll park to leave even more space between cars, but when I come back the next person does the same and closes the space, and the next person, and the next person. Unbelievable! Could it really be a herd mentality? Then there are the ones that don't care about the lines and park any way they want. Don't give a f$%^ about it. Probably the same ones who can't stay on their own side of the road, the chief was talking about. I like the parking lots without lines so you can get as much space as you can. But, that's not always true? One day I was the only car in a unlined parking lot when another car pulled in and parked so close to me that the very tall driver struggled to get out of his car. I watched every moment without saying a word, but I definitely wondered—WHAT THE F$%! Let's not forget the ones that park and block someone from moving. "I'll only be a minute," they say. I don't care if it's only a second. Get out of the f$%^ING way! It often happens during bad weather. Don't want to get wet or cold? Then stay home until the weather changes or send someone else, but get out of my f$%^ING way!
