The A to Z English Podcast | Am I the jerk for taking a parking space?

Situation:You're running late for an important meeting and are desperately searching for a parking spot. As you turn into a crowded parking lot, you spot an available space. However, another driver is also eyeing the same spot and begins to approach it from a different direction. You speed up and manage to get into the spot just before the other driver can.Now, you're left wondering if you might be perceived as the jerk in this situation. What's your take on it?Transcript:00:00:00JackYou're listening to the A-Z English podcast.00:00:13JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and today I have another episode that I like to call. Am I the jerk?00:00:24JackSo here is the situation.00:00:27JackYou're running late for an important meeting.00:00:30JackAnd are desperately searching for a parking spot.00:00:34JackAs you turn into a crowded parking lot, you spot an available space.00:00:43JackAnother driver is also eyeing the same spot and begins to approach it from a different direction.00:00:51JackYou speed up and manage to get into the spot just before the other driver.00:00:58JackNow you're left wondering if you might be perceived as the jerk in this situation.00:01:05JackWhat's your take on it?00:01:09JackWell, here's my take.00:01:12JackIn my opinion.00:01:16JackA parking lot.00:01:18JackIs a jungle.00:01:24JackThat means it's the rules of the jungle.00:01:28JackWhoever gets there first gets the spot.00:01:33JackThat's how I feel about it.00:01:37JackIn English we say.00:01:39JackBy hook or by crook.00:01:44JackYou get the spot.00:01:45JackOK, now there are a couple of.00:01:48JackWhat we call.00:01:49JackIn English caveats, OK, exceptions to the rules.00:01:55JackOne exception would be did you do something illegal?00:02:00JackIn order to get the spot, for example, did you drive the opposite direction down a one way lane?00:02:10JackOK, so if you if you went in the opposite direction of a one way lane where you broke the law.00:02:19JackIn order to grab that space then I would say yes, you are a jerk. But if you followed the rules and you got there faster.00:02:33JackOK.00:02:35JackThen it's your spot.00:02:38JackIt doesn't matter if someone else eyed it first. If you get there first, it is yours.00:02:47JackThe rules of the jungle apply.00:02:52JackNow here's another exception I would say.00:02:56JackIf the other car.00:02:59JackWas just waiting for a car to pull out.00:03:05JackAnd so that car stopped.00:03:09JackPut put the blinker on.00:03:12JackAnd was just waiting for another car, the car to pull out so that he or she could take that spot. And then you zoomed in and took it away, stole it. Then yes. You are a jerk in that situation because the other car was there first.00:03:34JackI consider whoever is there first.00:03:37JackIt's their spot, OK?00:03:41JackThose are the rules of the parking lot. It's a jungle out there, especially in a in a busy city like where I live.00:03:49JackYou have to. You have to be quick. You have to be smart. You have to be ruthless. OK, ruthless.00:04:00JackWhich means sometimes almost cruel.00:04:03JackIn order to get a spot.00:04:07JackAnother expression we use in English is nice guys finish last.00:04:14JackOK. Nice guys, finish last.00:04:18JackIf you let everybody that's looking for an open spot go first, you will never find a spot. So if you get there 1st and you can fit your car in there.00:04:32JackIt is your spot, even if the other person saw it first. Doesn't matter because your car got there first. OK, if you got there first.00:04:45JackIn my rule book, it is your spot and no matter what the other person says.00:04:52JackIt doesn't matter. You followed the rules, the rules of the jungle and you got there first. You were the Wildcat and the other driver was your prey.00:05:04JackOK, OK. And so you win and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose in a parking lot situation and everybody has to just accept that that's the way it is. Everyone's fighting for a free parking space.00:05:25JackAnd if your car gets there 1st and you didn't break the law, you followed the rules. You know you didn't, you know, run over 5 people in order to get to the spot as long as you followed the rules and you didn't, you know, hurt anybody or put anyone in danger.00:05:44JackYou were driving safely, but you got there more quickly.00:05:49JackThen I believe that is your spot and you are not the jerk.00:05:56JackSo that's my opinion. Let me know what you think. Send us an e-mail at at OC [email protected] or leave a comment on our website A-Z englishpodcast.com.00:06:10JackYou can join our WhatsApp group by clicking the link in the show notes, the show description or you can also join our WeChat Group and with that said.00:06:20JackWe will see you next time drive.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-am-i-the-jerk-for-taking-a-parking-space/Social Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. 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