The "not so blessed" in intelligence people.

So, with being that we see people on a daily basis.. all types of people, I figured I would dedicate a blog to those people I just either want to out right slap, or facepalm to what i've seen (or heard).  Please ignore my grammar on this one, as its basically going to be written lines only of what i've seen (or again..heard)


One of our structures (THANK GOD I DIDN'T SEE) there was a man running naked up to find his clothes... not sure WHY he was naked in the first place..but.. yea..

I've heard of people peeing in our structure because they couldn't find a bathroom.. again..not one I've seen.

Dad is in front driving. Mom is in back.. daughter who is about 2 1/2 sitting next to mom in the middle (with no seatbelt on) and the car seat is empty. *shakes head*

Daughter in back in car seat, but barely strapped in.

3 kids in backseat all under the age of 5 (maybe.. i'm kinda pushing it) none in car seats.

People pulling up to our booth with a blank look on their face. They ask.. Am I allowed to park here. Even though the sign CLEARLY states. Public parking. (and fee information).

Oooh.. you only take cash? I thought I could pay with ATM.  What do you expect me to do now. I have no cash?!?!? (yea sir.. i'm really going to let you out for free JUST because you claim to have no cash.  Funny thing.. most of THESE people just magically appear to "find" cash in their wallet/purse/middle console)

I refuse to pay the 2 dollars you are asking me... sure go ahead and give me a citation ($40 bucks!)  I don't know about you.. but I would rather run into the building.. go to the ATM and get the money out (regardless of fees) and pay the 2 bucks...

*Big pet peeve*  People handing me their tickets... after pulling up to the booth with it in their mouth.

People handing me their ticket with the lit cigarette in the same hand.

People hitting the booth/pole.. or curb.

One lady broke our gate arm. She had a place to put her wheel chair on the back of her car. The gate got stuck between the car and the wheel chair. My booth mate asked her to stop.. and well she didn't. Now we have a very small gate arm..

Uh.. my card isn't working.. I'm not sure why.  I take it from them, swipe it.. and it works fine. (Happens almost daily!)

I only have $100... (we only accept 20 or less.. which is posted everywhere too).

Hmm... that's all i can think of for right now.. I know there are a ton more.. but man.. you get the idea!

Additional thoughts..

So i've decided to add a few more stories.  I feel I have to be somewhat careful what I say, as I could potentially get in trouble. HOWEVER, because I have a heart.. i'm sharing these anyway (at least this first story).

I seem to have that personality that people are just drawn to talk to me about their problems.  I have no issues with this, as I'm used to it, and am a good listener.  One day a guy walked up to my booth to ask me where the temp agency was for the county.  He was not even close to where it was, so I explained how to get there.  He continued to talk to me and told me he had .95 cents to his name and that he had been unemployed for 2 years. He shared with me that he was so close to just breaking down and crying.  I tried to encourage him as much as possible, as I have been in that position (thank GOD not for that long, but I get it!).  Anyway, later on that same guy came driving up to my booth, handed me his ticket. The ticket came up to 2.00 (if i remember correctly).  He looked like he almost wanted to cry.  He said he decided to go ahead and go over and talk to HR (which is downtown).  He said.. I have nothing.. what am I supposed to do?  I don't have a bank account, so I can't go to the bank.. you know I only have .95 cents to my name..
Now you have to understand.  Someone in his position, the only alternative is that he gets a citation ($40) and then we can let them out.  I felt compassion for him, and took care of his ticket for him.  Granted, we aren't allowed to do this (i'm sure) but I just couldn't do that too that poor guy when he had been through so much.
You have to understand... we get MANY excuses... i mean so many every day that I can't even count on fingers and toes.. but I knew in my heart of hearts that this guy was genuine.  I felt for him.  I still pray for him hoping to see him come through my line again... BUT this time as an employee!  Everyone needs a break from time to time... that was his. :)

Okay.. now to lighten up the mood and to finish off this blog.  The other day I had a gentleman, who was a county employee, in about his 60's come through my line.  He asked me if we gave senior discounts.  I kinda laughed and told him that we didn't, plus he wouldn't be included in that as he looked to be too young.  I at least got a good laugh out of him and his passenger to which he replied.. I do believe you need to get that prescription in your glasses checked.  :)

One last thought.  I'm thinking about keeping a tally of how many people hit our booth our pole. One gentleman yesterday hit the pole with his truck and drove off with a very nice yellow streak on his nice huge truck.

till next time!

First Post

So, I've decided that since I see so much random, sometimes funny and sometimes very sad, things at work, I would blog about it.  Hope you enjoy my stories.  I will add as I see more :)  I know this first blog is going to be a bit scattered as I have now 2 1/2 months as working as a parking attendant. It's never a job i thought I would have, but I enjoy it immensely!  

My first week working, while still training, somewhat on my own, a guy came through our line, I wasn't working on register at the time, but was watching.  He had been told his total after pulling up to the booth. The guy said that he wasn't going to pay, that it should be validated as he was a witness in a case (which they do get validations, but not from us). Mind you, by this time, he had parked his car at the booth and refused to move it. We explained what his options were, which were either to park his car and go to the courthouse to get the validations, go to the ATM to get cash (as we only take cash) or we could call parking enforcement and he would receive a citation.  He chose to have us call the parking enforcement.    He then looked at his ticket and said. "I didn't refuse to pay" (which is what the ticket was written for, as he was basically refusing to pay).  My co-worker then lifted the gate (as we do after they receive a citation), and once again, he refused to move and that we needed to call the authorities.  Which we did.  One of our parking enforcement guys FINALLY was able to talk some sense into the guy and he left... but man... what a first week that was!

One other thing that happens while working is that we get a lot of stories of why they shouldn't have to pay.  The funniest one I have gotten by far is an older gentleman was coming through my line.  He stated, with a huge grin on his face, that he had stolen the car and asked if he still had to pay the fee. (Granted I could tell he was just joking..). So smiling back at him, I said "Of course"  He gave me his ticket which I ran through our machines.  It came up as $2.00 which I told him, to which he stated "Wow..that's highway robbery!"  

Now just to finish off this first blog.  Many many times... we get... "Really, you only take cash... does that mean you don't take debit cards?"  Seriously people...there are signs EVERYWHERE!  

More stories to come.  I'm sure there are more in my head... I just need to start writing them all down so that when I do update this... the thoughts won't be so scattered!

Thanks for reading!