Today's Rant - Can you move your car?
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
January 24, 2007 12:42pm CST
I went to my son's house today to watch his 2 children. One is 5 months old and the other is 18 months old. I visiting with my grandchildren. They are such a joy. I was feeding my granddaughter her bottle when a knock came at the door. A man asked if the car parked up the street was mine. I told him that it was my car. He then asked me if I could move it because the trucks there were picking up and making deliveries had a problem getting around my car. There I stood holding a baby and the other one was hanging on my leg. I told him it would be a while because I was alone with the 2 babies. He wanted me to drop everything and run to the car. He asked if I could do it within 20 minutes. I looked at him like he had 2 heads and told him I would try my best.
About 15 minutes later, the baby was content with having a full belly, the 18 month old was occupied with his toys. I decided to make a mad dash for the car and move it quick. As I rounded the corner I saw that the trunk was open. My grandson had found my keys earlier and apparently pushed the trunk key. I closed the trunk and muttered to myself about the fact that I had pulled 2 car lengths from the driveway and the drivers should have had no problem getting around my car.
The move took me less than 2 minutes. My priorities were my grandchildren. Too bad that I caused a little inconvenience. Some people would have run out the door and left the children upset and crying. Not me.
25 people like this
52 responses
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
24 Jan 07
You are too nice. Me, I would have said no and left it at that. I have a post about rude people, I don't deal with them too well at all.
You are right those babies come first, not some stranger. Did the guy even thank you?
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
24 Jan 07
No thank you at all. I was worried that they would have done damage to my car.
2 people like this
@angelashupe (343)
• United States
24 Jan 07
Maybe it's just my age... but I would have told him no. I would have told the guy to deal with it. As long as you weren't illegally parked, you were fine. As for that man, how selfish of him - and how rude.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I was worried more for my car. When he said they were having trouble getting around my car, I knew it wouldn't be long before they hit it.
1 person likes this
@nw1911guy (1131)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Yeah I agree. If you were legally parked then the h*** with him.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
24 Jan 07
He stood there in disbelief that I wouldn't run out with babies in my arms to do this task.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
24 Jan 07
Truck drivers are trained to drive skillfully and in various situations. I do not understand how a car at the curb could be too hard to get around. I think you handled this just right, and I am sure that your myLot post persons are going to give you a consistent thumbs up. Living people, especially babies, are more important.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Yea, when the guy said they were having problems getting around my car I was puzzled. My car was far enough away.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Sometimes people do not have the ability to think beyond what is important to them, they do not consider the entire problem.
1 person likes this
@patootie (3592)
•
24 Jan 07
I think I would have told him I'd move it immediately if he would feed the baby, look after the toddler .. and while he was their could he please change the babies nappy hahahah !!!
I bet he would have soon changed his tune and just asked you to move the car when it was possible for you to do so .. heh!!
2 people like this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
24 Jan 07
Great idea! Trouble is, if he accepted it, you'd be faced with another dilemma. Would you leave the children in the hands of a stranger?
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
24 Jan 07
Am glad you took care of the babies first. Hope you have nothing important in your trunk. Why park around the corner. We have arrangements with my parents when we are heading to their house so they can park somewhere so we can park in their driveway! Just a thought. Glad that is all worked out.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
24 Jan 07
They live on a busy street and there is only parking next to the building or up the street a bit further.
1 person likes this
@mom2chriskel (1060)
• United States
24 Jan 07
Some people have no idea. They think you can just leave little kids. My next door neighbor always left her little kids in her house while she was outside or when she took the oldest to the bus stop. The bus stop is not within sight of the house. I go out of my way to get my daughter up in the morning and get her dressed and to the bus stop to get my son on it. I would never leave her by herself. In those 10 minutes something could happen.
2 people like this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
24 Jan 07
As long as you were legally parked, and not obstructing or even nearly obstructing a driveway, I would have told him I was legally parked on a council road and had every right to stay there. I would have added that if the circumstances were different, I would be happy to oblige, but since I was caring for two small children I was unable to cooperate.
In the interests of safety for my car (knowing how some people can react) I would have, as you did, tried to get away long enough to move it. You did the right thing in putting the children first. Children always have the first priority.
2 people like this
@limosonia1 (1559)
• United States
25 Jan 07
If the man would have had any commen sense he would have seen that you had two babies and that they should not be left alone. Apparently they really did not need you to move the car either.
2 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I wouldn't have run out either! Sounds like you parked far enough away and I'm shocked someone asked you to move it. In my neighborhood, we've never heard of people knocking at doors to move cars. I wouldn't do it even if a car was in my spot in front of my house.
My sister has some rude neighbors that often park their big ugly truck in front of her house because they are too lazy to pull into their driveway (which is always empty) My sis has never said anything to them, just tries to steal the spot back whenever she can or otherwise park in front of their house. It just seems like if these RUDE neighbors don't get asked to move cars, than nice ones shouldn't be asked either.
2 people like this
@usmcprincess (299)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I watch children during the day so I know exactly what you mean by people being impatient. It is like they think that you watching children is nothing. I would have said I will get to it when I can. If I walked out there to move my car and found that it was not actually in the way I would not have even bothered wasting my time to move it. I think you are a great grandma for making sure the kids were happy first.
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
25 Jan 07
They asked you to move a legally parked car because it made it more difficult for their drivers to get around. And they had 2 car lengths. What a joke? Were they unloading from the street and you were parked in front of the door.
Personally, they should not be unloading from the street. They should park in a parking lot and unload from there. People pulling around these guys end up in accidents. They do that where I live, there is an accident on the street at least once a week due to that.
You were nice to go out and do that. I would not have left the kids alone.
2 people like this
@ineedaname (957)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I would have said sorry but I can't move it until my son gets home. I am watching his kids and can't just leave them alone in the house to move my car. Besides the trucks were getting through just fine. People are so rude.
@WebGal (48)
• United States
24 Jan 07
If it was my car, as long as I was legally parked, I would have taken my time and given first priority to the children. Now, If I'd somehow overlooked a parking restriction of some sort - loading zone or whatever - and I was not legally parked, then I'd have done my very best to move the car right away.
Was there anything questionable about the place your car was parked? If not, then I think you were right to take your time and take care of the children first!
1 person likes this
@WebGal (48)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I just went back and read your follow-up about being worried about your car getting hit. Well, having your car damaged by reckless truck drivers, especially when you're legally parked...I can see feeling some major anxiety over that. If the person who knocked on your door in the first place was just trying to do you a favor (keep your car from getting damaged) then he could have done a better job, but at least he made you aware that your car was in danger, and it was probably easier (2 minutes, you said?) to avoid the danger than to deal with the damage (insurance claims, repair shop, etc.) afterward. It's not fair to burden you, but you're smart to avoid trouble before it happens.
1 person likes this
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
24 Jan 07
HE problably didn't have children, and didn't understand, but I completely agree with you. He can wait, it's not like you were illegally parked, or that you parked there to intentionally get in thier way. I'm sure they were irritated, but oh well, that's not your fault! (:
1 person likes this
@morocz66 (121)
• Romania
25 Jan 07
well if they had trouble geting around the car .. im wondering how well did she park.. and by the way i disagree.. the children could have waited 3 minutes.. the man asked 4 your help
@ScrappinHappyMom (914)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I agree you are too nice. I would not have moved my car as long as it was legally parked. People need to know that the world does not revolve around them. And shame on that man for not being a gentleman and seeing that you had your hands full.
2 people like this
@llabteksab73 (800)
• United States
25 Jan 07
this is fine seeing, that you cant baby your children or they become spoiled.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
25 Jan 07
What has this to do with the discussion?
1 person likes this
