To Screw Or Be Screwed

I’ve had season parking where I work for a few years now. So it’s season and not reserved parking. What this means is that I have to find my own parking spot. As I go to work fairly early, I usually go to the lowest floor where there are no other cars and I have my choice parking spot. This is a wonderful spot where I am literally 10 steps to the lift. So although it’s not my spot, it’s “my” spot.

Well, a few months back, I came to work as usual and would you believe it, another car has parked in “my” spot. There must have been a hundred other spots but he has to park in “my” space. The first initial reaction was anger. How dare you?!

I then had a conversation with a friend about this. He said the same thing had happened to him at his office. He knew full well the guy did this on purpose (somehow it’s always a guy!). I asked for his reaction and he said this guy was being disrespectful and it was an unwritten “rule” that this was his spot. He did a stare down at the lift and the perpetrator looked at him meekly. The perpetrator did not change the spot though. I asked why he didn’t ask him directly. Malaysians as usual are not very confrontational.

Noticed in both cases we reacted instead of responded. It’s the smallest things that reflect what’s on our minds and hearts. I decided not to be a victim in this case. Now, I don’t know who my perpetrator is or where exactly he works. I did seem him from afar once. Was it worth the fight or the anger? No, I decided I wasn’t going to let this minor situation to affect my joy first thing in the morning. Actually, there are plenty of other spots which were just as close but I had gotten comfortable with “my “space. I decided to use this opportunity to get out of my comfort zone.

My friend has settled into a new spot but the situation still irks him. Is the situation or the person worth the head space? I don’t think so. At the end of the day, it’s only a parking spot. It’s not really going to affect my life in a major way. In fact, if I park further away, I’ll squeeze in more exercise. So you’re not screwed if you don’t think it’s being screwed. Change your world view and you change your world as they say. Incidentally, my perpetrator has disappeared and I’ve gotten my old spot back! 🙂 Aaaahhhh, all’s well that ends well!