To Honk or Not to Honk?

Sometimes I forget that not everyone will behave the way I expect them to. Or at least the way I expect them to because of what I would do in their situation. Obviously this is partially on me for assuming. I was leaving Target the other morning and as I put my car in reverse I saw a worker with a train of carts parked directly behind my car, meaning he had just moved it there right after I got in my car. I figured that’s fine I’ll just sit with my back-up lights on until he notices so he can move the carts.

Except that’s not what happened because he was not looking anywhere near my car. He was talking to someone I couldn’t see behind another car but he was still sort of facing me so I should have been in his peripheral vision. I want to honk to get his attention but I can’t help but think of how rude that will come off. He wasn’t in a car he was standing not far from me and it would’ve been very loud.

I decide maybe if I just inch back a little at a time he’ll eventually see me and move the carts. This goes on for a while, even though I don’t exactly have all day. Eventually he moves the carts and I can leave. I have no idea if my plan worked or if he was just ready to move them. This guy, for all I know, has no clue I exist and simply went on about his job after his conversation. Meanwhile I spent way too long in my car talking to myself about the best way to handle the situation.

It’s moments like these that make me laugh at myself and help me to realize that the other person involved in the situation probably didn’t think twice about it, or even at all, so in reality I likely made a bigger deal out of it than I needed to. I’ll probably still do this but I think a kind reminder to myself and others that you’re not alone in this kind of situation can help ease some anxiety.