Day 2 -- Parking Pass

The movie theater I frequent allows for 3 hours of free parking. Since most movies are 2 hours, and this particular chain shows 20+ minutes of previews AND commercials; then adding in arrival, parking and walking to theatre and the return trip I need at least another 30 minutes, so I rarely get in "under the wire" for the free parking. (Sure, it's "only" $3 for an additional 3 hours, but I feel like it costs enough to see a movie and buy popcorn that I don't want to pay a penny more to park.)

There's a grocery store in this mall that will give you a pass for an additional hour of free parking if you make a purchase. I always need something at the market, so if I think am going to go over the 3 hour free parking limit, I shop for a few items and get a free additional hour pass. A few times I have received the free pass and wound up not needing it, so I just keep them in my wallet "for the next time".

I went to a matinee today and upon returning to the parking lot I realized I had only 8 minutes to exit. I hurried by the machine customers use to pre-pay parking when they are over the 3 hours and there was an older woman standing there with her parking ticket out, reading the instructions on the machine, looking very bewildered by all. I saw her catch my eye, but inside my brain I was thinking "hurry hurry to your car, you have only 8 minutes to exit! Hurry!" But when she asked if I knew how the machine worked. So I stopped and cheerfully took her parking ticket, put it into the machine and showed her that she was over the free period and would owe $3.00.

She thanked me as she got her wallet out, asking me where the money goes. So I thought this was my moment to be NICE today and I'd give her one of my free passes. I pulled one out of my wallet, slid it into the validation machine, saying "it's on me". (Actually, "it's on the grocery store" but know what I mean.) I don't know if she was rich or poor but she seemed so amazed someone would "treat" her to parking. Her face lit up and she was so happy and thanked me profusely. I said it was "my pleasure", skedaddled off to my car and exited the garage....with 2 minutes to spare.