Why are we all so angry all the time?

[Pinch]

Why are people so unkind?

Not to channel Kamahl anything, but yesterday I, along with just about every other boatie in or around the Shire descended on the few boats ramps.

I got there early, and having a yacht, did a simple launch then took her up river, away from the ramp and wharf to put the mast and other rigging up – out of everyone’s way.

My wife, who some of the regular players here might know, almost died in August and is recovering from a series of operations. Miraculously she will be fine, and she was up to getting out of the house and out on the boat for a bit of R & R. She managed to drive down to the ramp herself later in the morning when I had it all ready. I was anchored away from the beach (leaving it and the wharf to all the other people trying to get their boats in). She stopped at the very back of an empty 4 rig long boat wash bay (the last of which has an inoperative tap anyway). She had to stop here as the two disabled spots were taken by cars with no MPS passes (she has a temporary one for obvious reasons). She was well out of the way of anyone, and just stepped out of the car to let me know to come to the wharf and pick her up. I was then going quickly to take her car back up a very steep hill as there was no parking left anywhere close by, and race back down. About 5 mins in total and a fraction of what others were doing holding up car bays, wharves and beaches for. But I digress.

Some guy then proceeded to absolutely tear shreds off her, calling her names, and demanding she move her car now. Tough guy, picking on a small, young woman. Real hero. When she politely explained that she was waiting for me to get her on the boat and then move her car straight away, he demanded to know ‘what was wrong with her that she couldn’t park it herself’. So she replied that it was none of his business, but she was just out of major surgery and couldn't walk 300m down a steep hill. He then carried on some more to himself.

Now I am the first to acknowledge that parking illegally and just not giving a toss about other is a big problem. Hence my going out of the way to be out of everyone else’s that morning as we are considerate. To be so aggro in the morning, in front of your kids, over the an issue of 2 mins (the other 3 was me running the car up the hill) when not in anyone’s way, or in a No Stopping area, is completely over the top. She was in tears for the next half hour and it ruined the best part of the morning.

It was the same when I was really sick in 2004. I had 10 operations (yes, we have been a bit unlucky) and required an MPS pass for me on my then new XR6 (which I bought to cheer me up a bit, and I needed an auto). I was under 30, driving the XR6 and needed to use disabled spots, sometimes with a chair, and sometimes I could just manage about 50m without. I was hassled EVERYwhere. People yelled at me, called me the most worst profanities, spat on me, called the Police on me, someone keyed the car, abusive notes were left. Sometimes right next to the clearly valid MPS pass. I took to turning it over and displaying my photo (which is supposed to face dash down for personal security - and only shown to authorised inspectors on request). I forwent this security and left the photo up to show it was for me, yet all that achieved was a move to berate me for ‘bludging’ the system. It was so much for me that it really worsened my severe depression over everything else, and led me to being a recluse. I even missed medical appointments (which I was only really going out for). I just couldn’t be independent and live a normal life, as anyone who has been long term ill will sympathise with.

Go Australia. Kicking people when they are down is awesome, get on the train!!! Look, I believe everyone should be considerate of others and not park where they are not supposed to. But to attack people over such non or legitimate issues just shows who were the schoolyard bullies earlier in life, who have not outgrown it, and who have a void of meaning elsewhere in their lives.

What is the harm in politely pointing out not to park there, to move if you are in someone’s way, or asking if someone is alright?

Someone in a car came and parked next to me in a boat and trailer only spot as I was leaving later that day. I politely told them that the rangers were around booking cars without trailers so parked (which they were). She thanked me as hadn’t seen the sign and was happy to have avoided the potential for a fine and moved the car. Job done, and she wasn’t in tears for the next half hour. Gave me another wave as I left too.

Why are we all so angry all of a sudden, all the time?