It happened again today. I was strolling down the sidewalk in the South Park Blocks when I spotted a couple of women standing in front of one of those green SmartMeter parking machines. These ladies had The Look.
The Look has certain tell-tale characteristics:
Confused face and assertive posture
Repeated button pushing
Constant checking and re-checking of receipt dispenser
Tapping of digital display screen
Muttering
Sometimes, when two people are at the machine, one will read the instructions while the other one tries to insert their credit card. Usually the person inserting the card looks like they are about ready to strangle the person reading the instructions. Nobody wants to admit they’ve been outsmarted by a parking meter. (Maybe that’s why they call them SmartMeters)
The Look is my cue to step in and ask if I can be of any assistance. Vary rarely does someone refuse my services. I coach the parking patron through the all the steps, reassuring them that 1.) yes, it does seem to take forever and 2.) no, you are not the only person who can’t figure it out. When the little ticket finally prints out of the dispenser, people are surprisingly grateful and thank me profusely. The ladies I helped today assured me that I had plenty of good karma coming my way and that I deserved every bit of it.
Over the past year or so, I’ve probably helped at least 50 people use the SmartMeter machine. How much good Karma is that, exactly? And, more importantly, can I use that good Karma to pay any future parking tickets?
{ 4 comments }
I really needed you the Friday before last.
Is it wrong that I still mutter, even though I know how to used the StupidMeters? (Way better name than SmartMeter…)
What is sad about these meters is that initailly they were really great and card friendly. For the first year or so they were quick as can be, then something happened and they are so slow now, about a minute total, which is a drag. Especailly in the rain. I no longer use a card at them, I keep a roll of quaters in the car.
I too feel like a “Parking Ambassador” just about every time I’m walking around downtown. Its especially fun when there’s a language barrier. Lots of interesting gestures, like the “insert card and pull out quickly” gesture, the “impatiently crossed arms and tapping foot” gesture to indicate that yes, it really does take that long, and then I usually just end up sticking the thing to their rental car window for them, because they never get it the right direction the first time.
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