The thing that the title refers to is Minnesota Nice. People say it to the point that it gets a little annoying but thats not because they are lying. Even with all the recent troubles there is still an overarching theme of courtesy and it's really starting to get to me. Before you jump to any conclusions it has nothing to do with my own general disposition. The nice that is driving me nuts (you will soon see what I did there...) is in parking lots.
It is almost like folks here have nowhere to be and it should be noted that I literally have nowhere to be at any appointed time right now. I made a target run today and became embroiled in a seven minute (I know this because 60 seconds in I angrily looked at my car clock) no, please, after you... I could see six other spots to park in beyond the clog, two people were simultaneously trying to back out from opposite sides of the aisle, and the third actor was attempting to give me the open spot that she had clearly been waiting for.
I also think my out of state plates are somehow ramping up the polite. Maybe because I'm from out of town and unfamiliar with the ways of the North? Whatever it is it has to stop even if it means I'm heading to the DMV to swap plates sooner than expected. At the five minute mark I began to use my horn and aggressive hand signals to direct activity as I could no longer watch the special needs ballet before my eyes.
One side would back out a couple inches then signal that the other should do so, then that one would stop and wave the other arriving customer into the open spot which would trigger her to gesture me into said same. Wash Rinse Repeat Infuriate.
A double tap of my own horn got her attention so I pointed right at her and then made three over exaggerated pointing stabs at the vacant parking space. She began some hand gesture of her own so I went audio visual and tapped the horn in synchrony with my points thrice more. She finally got the hint and pulled in. Next up I got the guy to my right who was already further into the aisle on the honk telegraph and signaled him to go with a right hand traffic director waive holding a stiff talk to the hand pose at the other exiting patron.
After finally coming to rest in my own spot I sat there for a while just in case the polite woman was waiting and wanted to tell me she was soorry for the whole ordeal.