I parked in a disabled parking lot two days ago, the first time ever that I’ve resorted to doing that. Someone later came up to me and said, ‘I don’t think you should park there,’ and walked away before I even had a chance to look at him, but I’m not offended – I’ve often thought of doing the same to others.
That day, however, I did it because for some reason, half the other levels in the parking lot were blocked off and I couldn’t find a spot anywhere else. Even then, that wasn’t the clincher. I was at Mid Valley to watch a movie, I was driving a Honda CRV by myself and I knew I would be leaving at almost midnight when the rest of the shopping mall would be closed, dark and deserted.
I’ve received enough forwarded emails about snatch thieves and robbers even in shopping centre carparks and I decided that if it came right down to it, I would rather be safe and take the only spot I could find near the entrance than park two or three floors below and wander down there unprotected at midnight.
I hate that I don’t feel safe, that I heard of two people getting their windows smashed and their bags stolen in three days, and that I made the decision to park in a disabled lot. I hope nobody really needed the spot that night.
In the same vein, I feel terrible that I often ignore the nice Malay architects that work in the firm a few doors down because we’ve had numerous snatch thefts on our street and the thieves have taken to prowling the area dressed in work shirts and slacks (they even have lanyards!) so people are less suspicious of them.
I can never recognise the architects and so I never say hello because I’m always too busy wondering if I’m going to get mugged. But the other day, I saw a guy come out just as I was walking past so I said hi. I’m convinced they think I’m an arrogant brat.
Do you think I’m being too paranoid about safety? Would you risk a right decision over a safe decision?
i think it’s ok if you are alone and late. sometimes got to be selfish for our own safety. 1 think i learn thru out my whole life, if u care for ppl, most ppl dont even care about u. actually it’s all depends on situation :) dont feel guilty abt it :)
ya. i actually thought of moving it after i parked, but other equally capable people were waiting to take the spot so i stayed put :)
yeah i woulda parked, then felt bad about it. But really, safety does come first sometimes!! eek… it’s a self-preservation instinct!
haha. well, my self-preservation is going into overdrive. i’m being totally anal about safety these days. too many stories of robberies and bystanders who don’t/can’t help.