Being Neighbourly
Last Sunday I drove out to get lunch. I was only out for a couple hours when I came back and noticed my parking lot was taken by someone else. The lot next to mine was empty but by principle I don’t park at other’s parking lot. So I started blasting my horn.
After what seemed like eternity under the noon sun, I gave up and drove out to the apartment security house and complained. The guard came with me and he recognised the car. Telling me to wait, he went to look for the owner. A few minutes later, he came down and said that the car owner’s parking lot is just next to mine. Earlier someone else took his spot so he conveniently parked at mine. Now he’s asking me to park at his lot temporarily.
I don’t know what came over me that day but I was furious. Not because he asked me to park at his spot but because he saw it convenient to just take my spot. I told the poor guard that I wanted my parking lot back. I don’t care if the entire parking lot is empty. I want my car on my own lot which was allocated to my contractually when I bought the apartment. The guard paused for a moment as if contemplating what I just said, then went back up to get the car owner.
The car owner came down. Turns out he’s my neighbour who lives directly opposite my unit. I was still furious. He grudgingly moved his car then waited for me to park my car. Instead of apologising, the first words that came out of his mouth were,
“Is it that difficult for you to park your car here? As neighbours we should give and take.”
Of course he said it in a not-so-polite tone. I looked straight at him and replied, “Is it wrong for me to park at my own parking lot? You parked at my spot. You were wrong first. Don’t justify.” With that I walked off.
I was fuming all the way up to my apartment unit. I just can’t believe the audacity of some people who have the guts to justify their wrong doings right in your face. I was so mad that I posted the incident in a public forum asking for others’ opinion. Guess I needed to be assured if I’d overreacted. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that all, that’s everyone of them, supported me. Mainly, their argument is that if I don’t make my stand with my neighbour, they will go a step further the next time.
I’m glad I did what I did. No regrets there.
July 1st, 2006 at 4:34 pm
You did the right thing. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Your manager should have told the owner to move his car back to his own spot. You shouldn’t have been put in the position of having to ask the owner to move their car. I live in a block of units and know the feelings that other owners have when people don’t respect the guidelines for parking. Our management however will always reenforce the guidelines.
August 3rd, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Hmmm, well…looks like I might be the first to disagree…maybe not totally, but partially at least. You see, I think that your response was over the top…and I can’t help but think that you could have done what you did but in a less aggressive way…and that would have helped foster a ‘neighbourly’ attitude…how about, either (1) parking in your neighbour’s space, then going to see him and asking him not to use your space in the future…or (2) saying no, you would like him to move his car now, but not being so “furious” about it…in the big scheme of things…it’s only a parking space…you can’t take it with you…there’s a good American saying that fits here…”don’t sweat the small things”…
have a great day…cheers
August 4th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Steve: You’re right. You’re the first to disagree. However, I do see your point. I honestly don’t know what came over me that day. Now as I think back I can laugh about it.