Parking Pay it Forward
I hate, I mean hate parking in Toronto. It is expensive and there is little choice other than play by the Toronto Parking Authority rules.
Right now, most parking lots have little machines, where you buy a ticket and put it on your dashboard. Immediately, once it goes overtime, a parking attendant springs out of nowhere and gives you a yellow ticket. I have gone running towards my car at least half-a-dozen times after the parking attendant after they started writing the ticket and only once have they ever let it go (this was in the suburb of Oakville, where the parking people are a bit more laid back.)
Tonight I cheated the system in the only way that I know how… I was getting into my car after having a great dinner with my friend on Bloor Street, when I saw a bunch of stylish looking 20-year-olds in the parking lot, getting ready for a night on the town. The driver was just putting his credit-card into the machine when I interrupted him to give him the ticket that I bought but didn’t need anymore, since it went until 7:00 am anyway. He smiled and said thanks, then wished me a great night. But I didn’t need thanks… I felt happy that the annoying City of Toronto Parking Authority would not get any more fees or fines from either of us.
OK, wait … where were you when I needed you last year?!?!? (smile)
Your story reminded me of the time I noticed a young girl and an infant in the car behind me at a drive-thru burger joint several years ago. She looked a bit frazzled, so I told the window guy I was paying for the food in the car behind me as well and to tell her when she drove up I did it ‘Just because.’ I enjoyed watching her confused but thankful expression in the rearview mirror as I drove off.
Nice post.
What a great story! I wish there was more of that (without the expectation of something in return of course – which is how it usually goes
)