Human Behavior

Posted: 31st December 2008 by ê¿ê in Friends & Family
Tags: human behavior, odd behavior, power naps
Lexus GS300 - Parking Deck
Image by brendanlim via Flickr

I am constantly amazed by humans! Some have the most bizzare (to me) behavior patterns imaginable!

I was pulling into my parking garage the other day behind a gentleman in a nice, expensive Lexus. He punched the button for a parking token, then pulled in and I followed behind with my parking pass.

Most of the people I pull into the garage behind drive on up a few levels to park, however, this gentleman pulled around to the end of the first level where the elevators are, didn’t park in a slot, but rather pulled as close as he could to the edge. He hopped out of his car, opened the trunk and pulled out a sack of garbage which he deposited into the trash container located there. I got a quick glimpse of his trunk and there were a number of bags of garbage in it, so I can only assume he drove from level to level leaving his trash in each of the containers located at either end of the 10 levels.

Now, I’m guessing that since he’s driving an expensive car and wearing nice clothing that he could probably afford garbage pickup — unless he was a murderer disposing of a body he had cut up :roll: — garbage pickup costs maybe $30 per month if you’re not in the city where it’s part of what your property taxes pay for. Of course, that’s $29 more than the $1 for an hour of parking, so perhaps he’s just economizing.

I just found it odd and slightly repulsive.

Then there is another gentleman who arrives promptly at 7:00 AM every morning, then reclines the seat of his car back and power naps for 45 minutes (I know this because I arrive anywhere from 7:00 AM until 8:00 AM and have observed his routine).  He dons his Wayfarer sunglasses I guess to keep out any stray rays of the morning sun and ensure a better sleep. He does this no matter what the temperature is outside — I guess the car doesn’t heat up or cool down enough to be uncomfortable before his allotted 45 minutes are up.

When I first noticed him sleeping in his car, I notified the guard on duty as I was concerned that he might be ill or overcome by heat (it was a VERY hot day already!). When I saw him in the same position the next day, I assumed everything was OK.

What baffles me is why he just doesn’t sleep longer at home. I first thought that maybe he has to drop kids off at school or something, except I see him snoozing even on days when school is out. I’m sure there is some explanation as to why he doesn’t just stay home in his own bed for that 45 minutes, but I don’t know him well enough to ask what it is. :P

I won’t even get into the behaviors I see that are just downright rude — most of them perpetuated by men as it were, but that’s not to say we ladies don’t have our moments. I’m often having the elevator door close just as I get to it because the persons already on it don’t hold the door for me. I also have experienced the doors being shut in my face as I try to enter or exit the building with arms full of packages or bags. Just inconsideration on the part of those who are in front and I try to take those in stride and remind myself to be more aware of what’s going on around me even as I am consumed by some piece of code or composing a blog post in my head. Oh and lets NOT talk about the scum who pulls into the parking spot you’ve been patiently waiting for someone to pull out of

So, with it being the New Year and all, are any of you thinking of ways you can change your human behaviors to be a more insightful or thoughtful person or are you just sticking to the usual diet, exercise, organize, don’t procrastinate?

ê¿ê

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  1. Apparently, I have done a miserable job teaching my kids this, so we’ve focused on it a little more intentionally at Casa She Lives of late; always looking around your self to see what you can do to be of help to someone else.

    Slowly (painfully, tediously, laboriously), it has begun to pay off. I get a few more “Can I help you with thats?” from time to time now. And I see them taking to time to exercise a bit of out-of-the-way courtesy towards strangers…on a rare occasion.

    Behavior changes are best accomplished purposefully, is my thought.

    Carol @ She Lives´s last blog post..I See What You’re Saying (take one)

  2. Lyndi says:

    ‘Strange’ is about the only word one can use to categorize most human behavior. Enjoy 2009 and hopefully it will be a good year for you and yours.

    Lyndi´s last blog post..The Year Ends on a High Note

  3. Damn! I’m going to obsess a little over this guy and his 45 min power nap now. If not the school run, why?

    My best theory is that he is getting into position, close to his work, before the traffic starts to get heavy. But there is a perverse part of me that hopes you will shoot down this idea. Please do if you can.

    You see, I have this familiar ‘tingling’ that tells me there’s a potential story in this…

    Ken Armstrong´s last blog post..Old Long Since

  4. kriz cpec says:

    hi…happy 2009!

    kriz cpec´s last blog post..Sky Watch Friday 090102

  5. ê¿ê says:

    @Carol — good luck with those kids! I despaired of mine at certain ages, but they turned out pretty good.

    @Lyndi — yes, we are a strange lot for sure! I’m positive some of the things I do seem really weird to others who don’t know me.

    @Ken — You may be right! I’ll see if I can overcome my shyness and ask him about it.

    @Kriz– Happy New Year to you too! I look forward to your many beautiful photos in the coming year.

  6. 1. This man disposing garbage either lives with senile relatives like I do, or is going through a divorce or legal proceedings. Garbage pickers will search his trash for evidence or personal details to steal his identity. In the case of senile relatives, they will go through the garbage and insist that the old toothbrushes they found in the trash were perfectly good and shouldn’t have been thrown out.
    2. The sleeping man can be explained by several theories. He may have two jobs, and sleeps during the break. He may have an a-hole for a boss and lives a long way away. By leaving home early he beats the traffic and is never late. Finally, he may simply have a wife who gets up at a certain time, so they eat together and then leave together.

    Turnip | Social Networking´s last blog post..Traffic Exchange Effect On Alexa Rank

  7. Wendy says:

    Fun post :) My husband parks at his work and takes a power nap in the parking lot. I’ve often wondered how many people see him with his mouth hanging open, drooling…

    He works two jobs and has an hour break between them. I’m sure this guy has some good explanation as well. Afterall, no one wants to give up a warm bed for the car, right?

    Thanks for the free graphics, I decorated my blog for Christmas with one of your banners. Fun stuff!

    Wendy´s last blog post..Bethany Date

  8. This inspired me to speculate more on the subject over my way. Thanks. :)

    Ken Armstrong´s last blog post..Ah Sweet Mysteries of Life…

  9. ê¿ê says:

    Turnip — I think it’s easier to use a shredder for documents than to go to all this trouble to dispose of trash so the PI can’t go through it :P And unfortunately in America, a person with the money this man apparently has is more likely to have his senile relatives in an old folks home than living with him :(

    Wendy – it never occurred to me that he might be napping between jobs and I was trying to be considerate when I didn’t mention the drool — but he does as a matter of fact. Glad you enjoyed the graphics and you’re welcome! Check out the page again — there are new ones up.

    Ken — what a funny story! You have such a cute mug, I’m sure you’re mistaken for someone else all the time.