The Parking Place

We moved recently and in the weeks leading up to the big day, I made it a habit of driving by our new house.  I was curious about my new neighbors and whether the street was a busy parking street.  Parking is always an issue in Palo Alto.   Little did I know how big an issue it would be for me.

I had noticed a car that was always parked in front of my new house and it never seemed to move.  Always in the same place.  The first day of the move, I put a nice note under the wipers asking if it could be moved  so it would be easier to move in.   The car didn't move.  Upon closer inspection, I noticed it did move occasionally but always returned to the spot in front of my house.  One day, when my son and I came home, my next door neighbor introduced herself and said it was her car.  I said the usual pleasantries (after all, I DID want to start out on the right foot) and asked if she would mind not parking in front of our house as my husband needed the spot when he returned from work late in the day.   She became hostile.  Wow (I thought), the previous occupant must have really ticked her off because she didn't know me long enough to dislike me (yet).   

She proceeded to tell me that she lived with her husband and college-aged daughter.  They had three cars.  Their garage was used for storage (and it was after all, ONLY a 1 1/2 car garage) and she hoped we could share six feet in front of my house.  Technically no one owns the right to park in front of anyone's house - parking is public. But, it is the un-written neighborhood law that you are entitled to use the space in front of your house.  There is a three foot swatch on her side of the fence that is hers.  It is not big enough to park a car so she parks further into our parking.  She said she had hoped we would "share".  I replied that I was happy to share as long as I was not the only one " sharing".    She stomped off while I was talking.   I stared after her not believing her reaction.  Not a good way to start a relationship.

My neighbor is a taker.  When she bought a third car, do you think she thought about where she would park it?  By the way, her driveway is big enough to hold two cars side by side but it would require a little technique getting in and out - obviously too much effort for her.  Also, there is a recently vacant home directly across the street from her that would be a great place to put that third car - but she doesn't use that either.  It probably is too far to walk.  No, she wants convenience and she's taking some of my slice of street.  And, she wants me to "share".  Right.

I feel petty writing this but I thought about it and decided there must be plenty of people who have  a neighbor who takes first and asks later.  As I write this, the car is still parked right where she wants it.   If it was me, I would feel badly.  Not because of the parking but because of the selfishness and general lack of hospitality to a new neighbor.  But, I'm a sap which means I'll probably never get that spot. 

Myrna write about her life with teens at Tangerinetimes.com
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