Texting Etiquite + Parking Spot Etiquite. Apparently, they don't add up.

I’ll admit to not signing Oprah’s pledge. As much as I agree that texting, et al, is a danger to everyone on the road, I agree with Kristie at Philly Moms Blog that the No Phone Zone won’t work in  my car. I get so few minutes of peace to make a call, that a phone call while driving isn’t all that much to ask. That, and I usually talk on speaker. It’s not like I’m not experienced, I’ve been talking and driving for well over 12 years. I also talk to my kids while I drive. And carry on conversations with the radio, if their story so moves me. My focus is on the road. And should I be too distracted, I recognize that and beg off the phone with a promise to discuss more later.

I used to text, too. Never two-handed and not too often, it didn’t take me long to realize how very distracting that can be. And, so, I no longer text while driving. (Texting while idling… now that’s a different story!)

So, in order to stay in touch and not text and drive, I’ve decided that, when necessary to complete or respond to a message, I’ll do that in a parking spot. Off the roads, keeping everyone safe. I’d appreciate it if others would do the same, and we’ll all live happily ever after.

Or not. Because today, after a visit to the library (the library, people!), I loaded and strapped in all three of my cherubs (and I mean cherubs. They were shockingly good in the quiet place). I carefully placed my bags, books, videos and wii games (had to get enough to weather our next storm) in safe-from-flying spots, gave each of the children a snack (because, really, you shouldn’t eat in the library), and strapped myself into  my seat. I did not, I repeat, I did not put on my reverse lights because, as all good drivers recognize, that would signify that I was leaving.  Instead, I took advantage of my amazingly well-behaved children who were reading/looking at/gnawing on their borrowed books, and decided to text my husband, responding to his question about dinner timing.

Following, I saw an imporant e-mail that needed to be responded to, and typed off a 1-line response. I heard a quick double honk. I glanced up. A man scurried to his handicapped spot. Wow! I thought. Some birdie has the bitchiness on today! How dare she honk at a handicapped man!? As the kids continued with their book thing, my text-ring sounded. The Huz responded.

Within 30- seconds, another double honk made me look up again. The beat, tone and urgency; the same. And the handicapped man was gone. WTF was the blast for? I turned, further this time, to see the old bird looking at me. And old she was! An impatient old woman in a boaty-cadillac (not that there’s anything wrong with this. Clearly, I’m describing one of my Grandmother’s here) staring me straight in the eye, shrugging WTH?

Now, I looked good today. Heels on. Business-bitchy-like. And had I had my lipstick on I just might have been pumped enough to get out of my car and tell the woman that I was saving lives by not texting and she can go find herself another spot. Of course, I’d never do that, that’s my subconcious-imagination speaking. So, instead, I looked right in her eyes and through 2 panes of glass mouthed “really Lady?”

Since my kids were loving their books and the Huz had actually responded to me so very quickly, I turned back to my ipod and responded to him. And then, just to  make Ms. Uptight’s afternoon, I opened my Twitter app and tweeted out my frustration.

 And then, when I was finished tweeting and texting for the time being, I slipped my gear shift to reverse, to signify I was ready to leave, and that my spot was open.

Of course, Ms. Old-Bird-Impatient-and-Uptight-Library-Parking-Lot-Lady was no longer there. A smiling twenty-something slowed down her car, put on her blinker, and moved into  my spot.

© 2010, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.

About Julie Meyers Pron

Julie Meyers Pron has written 894 post in this blog.

mom of 3 and wife, Julie is a former elementary school teacher and a Public Relations manager. She is the owner/editor of Just Precious, founding partner of Just Centsible, and a team member of Splash Creative Media. Julie is a PTOer, volunteer, elementary educator and that's just the beginning of the list!

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