The "why do they do it?" thread

[flatbutt]

Puzzling behaviors. My query is due to this recurring event.

I'm trying to back out of a parking spot in the lot of my local business center (Acme, Dunkin Donuts,Deli Pizza,Post office etc). I back out very slowly as the Taco is a bit long-ish and visibility a bit limited. As I get to the point where my front quarter panel is about to start turning I usually stop just to double check for oncoming.

That's when it happens...someone pulls their vehicle up close to me such that I can't fully back out OR a pedestrian starts walking behind me. OK I can wait for the pedestrian but the other vehicle is just making things harder. Then there is the cement head that tries to take their vehicle around me as I try to back out! WTF?

Why do they do it? Or am I just a cranky old man?

[GH85Carrera]

I was at the gas station filling up as usual. A guy pulled up right on my front bumper and was waiting for the one pump I was using. There were other open pumps. Maybe it was his favorite I can't imagine. It was going to require me to back up into the traffic lane of the parking lot while going around a corner. I figured screw it, and I would see how patient he was. I finished getting the gas, then I opened the hood and checked the oil, and transmission oil. Then I dug into my glove compartment and started checking the air pressure. The guy finally gave up and went to another pump.

I was wondering why he did what he did.

[asphaltgambler]

It seems to only happen when I need to be somewhere on time. Guy with the semi stops at stoplight in left lane...............that is going uphill with heavy traffic all around. OR the person in the left lane that decides to be speed (below posted) enforcement for the rest of the world that also has torn their rear view mirror off..........

[T77911S]

or, you are backing out and there is a large van beside you and you cant see, so you back out slowly. then some &^%&^* comes flying thru the parking and blows their horn at you and keeps going. like you can see them coming, thus the reason for backing out slowly.


why do woman sit in their car while pumping gas, men stand outside of it.
just notice.


sitting at the five guys burgers, I see people park in the handicap spots at the far end of the plaza, then walk PAST several empty spots CLOSER to where they are going. WHY??

[legion]

Originally Posted by T77911S

or, you are backing out and there is a large van beside you and you cant see, so you back out slowly. then some &^%&^* comes flying thru the parking and blows their horn at you and keeps going. like you can see them coming, thus the reason for backing out slowly.

Had something like this happen, at work about 15 years ago, except that they were going way too fast, whipped around the corner, and hit my rear end. I was NOT HAPPY to find out that the accident was apparently my fault because I was backing.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Puzzling behaviors. My query is due to this recurring event.

I'm trying to back out of a parking spot in the lot of my local business center (Acme, Dunkin Donuts,Deli Pizza,Post office etc). I back out very slowly as the Taco is a bit long-ish and visibility a bit limited. As I get to the point where my front quarter panel is about to start turning I usually stop just to double check for oncoming.

That's when it happens...someone pulls their vehicle up close to me such that I can't fully back out OR a pedestrian starts walking behind me. OK I can wait for the pedestrian but the other vehicle is just making things harder. Then there is the cement head that tries to take their vehicle around me as I try to back out! WTF?

Why do they do it? Or am I just a cranky old man?

Not cranky at all.

One of my biggest pet peeves.

Happens all the time around here.

I also hate the pedestrians that just walk down the middle of the lane without a care in the world.

GTFOOTW.

[Eric 951]

Happens a lot during my interstate travels, especially when hauling a trailer--stop to get gas, the pumps are full with many of the cars empty because instead of finishing pumping and parking, people leave their car at the pump, walk into convenience store to use facilities, purchase crap, etc. instead of moving the car to the parking spaces which are located right in front of the store.

[Geary]

The "Me First" attitude can get you into "deep kimchee" in Hawaii ..

[oldE]

At intersections, watching the (usually female) driver of the car across from me turn left. They will grip the right side of the wheel in their left hand with an underhand grip. I suppose I could understand this if the vehicle they were operating had no power steering, but almost everything on the road can be directed using fingertips. I can't help but think: If the air bag goes off, their left forearm will be driven into their face.

Best
Les

[RonDent]

Originally Posted by Geary

The "Me First" attitude can get you into "deep kimchee" in Hawaii ..

Yes, it is becoming more common. "Me first". Everyone should get what they need but, "me first". An over active sense of self worth.

Moderator, please move my reply to the top of the list. Can't you see who I am?

[BReif61]

I was almost tagged last night as I pulled out of my gym's parking lot. Traffic clear to my right, auto transporter had just pulled out to my left and was slooooooowly accelerating. I pull out and turn left and almost get clipped by a pickup truck that decided to pass the transporter via the center turn lane.

Some people just can't be bothered to care.

[Joe Bob]

Just now, trying to make a left into a market driveway. Traffic coming and their light is red....asshat blocks the drive and makes me wait for the light to change and traffic to move. Thanks for the f****** courtesy. Oh yeah, he was also texting....

[id10t]

Why do they blow off little simple exercises at the start of the term that take only a few minutes to do but all told make up 5% of the grade... and then they beg for extra credit at the finals?

[Dansvan]

Because everyone is more important than everyone else. And there are those that seek to control others. Goes back to simple things we (used) to be taught as children. Wait your turn. Share. Be patient. No, you cannot have that.

Ironic too that most every single person when asked will tell you that they are a great kind loving patient person.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by T77911S

or, you are backing out and there is a large van beside you and you cant see, so you back out slowly. then some &^%&^* comes flying thru the parking and blows their horn at you and keeps going. like you can see them coming, thus the reason for backing out slowly.

This happened to me yesterday backing out of a parking space in a strip mall, my diminutive Nissan between two SUV's... some guy ripping through the lot in a truck going like 30 MPH almost tears my rear bumper off... didn't slow, didn't honk, pretty sure he didn't even see me.

Same leaving my back alley, neighbor parks his huge motorhome right there where the alley exits to the street... I slowly creep out and occasionally encounter someone barreling down the street and the swerve and give me a dirty look... sorry my X-Ray vision isn't working today

[black73]

Why do people ask for business or personal advice on PPOT?

[rcooled]

Why do people have their car's windshield wipers going at warp speed while driving in a light mist, when one swipe ever 30 seconds or so would be more than enough to keep the windshield clear?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

That's when it happens...someone pulls their vehicle up close to me such that I can't fully back out OR a pedestrian starts walking behind me. OK I can wait for the pedestrian but the other vehicle is just making things harder. Then there is the cement head that tries to take their vehicle around me as I try to back out! WTF?

Why do they do it? Or am I just a cranky old man?

I'm completely cool with pedestrians going. I'm comfortably sitting on my butt in the car, and they are walking, potentially in cold, hot, rainy, windy, whatever weather. Don't dawdle. Don't cross diagonally in front of me which will take 4 times longer than crossing perpendicular to the "lane" that I'm in.

Yes, I don't get people that pull in too close, and then honk when I keep backing out. I've got a backup camera with guides that show me where I am, so I can back out pretty darn close without hitting you, but it'll probably scare you.

What I have happen way more often is the folks that shoot past while I'm backing out. If I've just started, that's not too bad, they may not have seen me coming out, or there may be tons of time and space to get past, but some folks do it when you're nearly out and there's hardly any space. I guess it's fortunate (for me and my mental health) that I'm not in that big a hurry.

Obliviousness, stupidity, self-centeredness... take your pick, and maybe take several.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I was at the gas station filling up as usual. A guy pulled up right on my front bumper and was waiting for the one pump I was using. There were other open pumps. Maybe it was his favorite I can't imagine. It was going to require me to back up into the traffic lane of the parking lot while going around a corner. I figured screw it, and I would see how patient he was. I finished getting the gas, then I opened the hood and checked the oil, and transmission oil. Then I dug into my glove compartment and started checking the air pressure. The guy finally gave up and went to another pump.

I was wondering why he did what he did.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Just now, trying to make a left into a market driveway. Traffic coming and their light is red....asshat blocks the drive and makes me wait for the light to change and traffic to move. Thanks for the f****** courtesy. Oh yeah, he was also texting....

And that's why I want one of these, but I would not be a douche like the guys in the vid.