Friday, February 13, 2009

Parking Problem

Someone finally noticed. Just. The picture that accompanies the article doesn't do the parking problem justice. "It is common to see cars parked in the middle of the road blocking traffic here. But try this anywhere else in the world, and your car will be towed away in seconds." So why is it that cars don't get towed, here? Why is it that one car is allowed to block an entire street? One word. Entitlement.

8 comments:

  1. I find it strange that Saudi is far larger than Bahrain (waaaay waaaaaaay bigger) and yet they both have exactly the same serious problem with parking. Makes one wonder what the heck the Powers That Be that develop infrastructure over here in the middle east do while designing new areas...build the buildings and worry about the roads and parking later? Im seriously thinking thats it.

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  2. Even with plenty of parking in some places [Extra, comes to mind] people can't be bothered to walk from a clearly marked space and instead pull up on the sidewalk in front of the door. Amazing. "... build the buildings and worry about the roads and parking later?" Don't think they worry about it at all, quite frankly, Coolred. And that NO ONE ever gets towed while blocking an entire street just blows my mind.

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  3. There is no way in the world I could survive living there. People would be die (most likely myself).

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  4. Believe it or not, The Queen, there are some aspects of living over here that make it quite survivable. When I start feeling like I want to "hurt" people - time to take a trip to normalcy and I head to the states. I can usually last about four or five months in between trips...

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  5. Re: "...and instead pull up on the sidewalk in front of the door."

    A spot-on observation about the, "It's All About Me" culture in the KSA. And, to continue the scenario: after walking through the store-front door, Mr. "Local" (who always seems to think he is entitled to royal treatment)ignores every civilized customer, that is patiently waiting in line for their orders to be filled, and steps right up to the counter to bark out his order!

    This is a sad culture. How much longer do you have to suffer here?

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  6. You're continued scenario is, as well, spot on. [It has happened to me more than once - the first time I accepted it. I no longer do. I have no qualms about sending someone to the back of the line where they belong, man or woman.]

    We'll be here at least a few more years, StDiesel. DH turns 46 tomorrow. He'd like to stay until he is 50.

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  7. O.K. then; 'only' four more years. That's good for us on this side -- we have four more years to enjoy your vividly insightful (and comical) observations.

    Going back to an earlier comment that you made to The Queen: I agree with you - and although it takes some cultural adjustments - there are some aspects about living there that are quite nice. The remarkable blue-green water colors along the coast at Aziziyah Beach, the availability of Cuban cigars, beautiful early morning skies, desert nights, and the British ex-pats; particularly the ones with a great sense of humor.

    And happy birthday to DH. A tip of the Siddiqui glass to him.

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  8. Whoops, DH's B'Day is tomorrow! [My goodness - how could I possibly...] I'll give him your well wishes. And, there will, no doubt be a tip of the glass - count on it.

    Funny you should mention "British ex-pats." We met a couple the other night and they had an incredible sense of humor. We've got their number - will do dinner with them, again, in the short term.

    There are, definitely, aspects that I will miss when we leave. Yes. At least four more years. Promise to keep providing "vividly insightful observations." Count on it.

    Thanks, StDiesel!

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