As Jesuit students, we are expected to adhere to high stand
ards such as the Profile of the Graduate, while aspiring to higher ideals, like being Men for Others. Both on and off campus, the Jesuit student body is known for being a standup group of guys, willing to assist others at all times.
Everywhere you turn on The 28, there are students helping each other grow: study groups in the info commons, upperclassmen teaching freshmen on the field, clubs passionately discussing topics some may see as controversial and others believe to be trivial. There exists one area on our beloved 28 acres, however, that the Jesuit spirit has yet to fully envelope: the parking lot.
Sadly, when Mr. Knize dismisses us for the day, the friendly door-holding and ample patience of students transforms into tense jockeying for position and ignorance of others. With only one exit for hundreds of cars, waiting in line is inevitable. This daily annoyance causes understandable frustration, frustration that is the underlying cause of this un-Jesuit like behavior. Let’s set up a possible scenario:
…After nine long periods of school, you stagger to your car. You have to get home quickly. You have an English essay write and those math problems to finish, after which you can maybe, maybe, relax and get to bed at a decent hour. But, you see a seemingly endless sea of cars ahead of you already. (How are they always there before you?!) A near eternity later, you’re almost at the front. Scoggins will let the line resume moving any second! Out of the corner of your eye, you see another line of cars, waiting to merge into the line for the exit. That’s fine, someone behind you is bound to let them in, I mean what’s one more car anyways?
But this is exactly where problems stem from; too many students focus only on their own escape from the parking lot, disregarding the plight of others. No matter how bad your day or how urgently you feel the need to get home, you should always assume the other person is in the same boat. When driving, you can’t telepathically understand the urgency of other drivers, so why assume that you are more important? We must place ourselves on an even playing field when driving: nobody is more important than anyone when behind the wheel. Thinking otherwise will only cause misunderstandings and, ultimately, accidents. Is a couple seconds saved really worth the risk of a broken fender?
Here is some basic etiquette that, I believe, everyone should follow when trying to break free of our parking lot prison:
When there is a car in one of the rows of spaces attempting to merge into the exiting line, let them in. You should do it for every row. In a perfect world, both the row and the main line would take turns moving, creating a steady flow of traffic. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve counted twenty cars pass by headed for the gate before one lets a person from the row merge in. This creates huge jams, making it impossible for some people to even get out of their parking space.
When a car is trying to get out of a space, give them plenty of room. It is hard enough trying to back out a giant truck with a terrible turning radius without an equally monstrous truck edging closer and closer. With limited visibility, you can never be sure if the person will hit you or not, so err on the side of safety
Accelerate slowly! All too often cars will whip around corners, just as other cars are backing out of their spots, requiring those backing out to brake sharply. Just because the space ahead is empty doesn’t mean it will still be that way in a moment or two.
If no one is letting you in, don’t try to force yourself in aggressively. Nothing good can come from two cars playing chicken…
Pay attention to the traffic. Even though the cars may be moving slowly, they are still moving. Don’t reply to that email, look at that Snapchat, or zone out: the space ahead of you might be interpreted as you letting someone in and, if you quickly notice and try to close the gap without looking, an accident might occur.
Make eye contact with other drivers. Though it may seem awkward, making eye contact is the easiest way to let someone know you are aware of their position and will act accordingly. It helps empathize with your Jesuit brothers, and negates the excuse of “I didn’t see them” if something happens.
Watch out for people that aren’t accustomed to the flow of the Jesuit parking lot. It is still fairly early in the year and that means there are new parents that haven’t had extensive experience with pick-ups and drop-offs. If Coach Squeaky hasn’t already rushed out to try to help the new parent, be patient and let them try to find their way out.
Finally, be kind. You can’t go wrong with putting others before yourself especially in such a trivial matter as the parking lot. Be thankful, and give a wave of gratitude when people do the right thing and let you in.
Following these seemingly trivial tips will hopefully help take the stress out of leaving Jesuit. Hasn’t school already caused enough of it?
