jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I get myself into awkward situations. Yesterday, there were seven of us playing our ukuleles at a friend's house. It ended at 3:00, and there was a bit of talking before people started getting their coats. I got my stuff, said goodbye, and headed for my car. Unfortunately, there was a car behind mine in the driveway. I figured people were in the process of leaving, so I waited. I didn't want to go back and ask the woman to move her car because people were getting ready to leave, anyway. Five minutes. Ten minutes. I could hear them talking and laughing and see them standing by the door. More time went by, and I realized it would not be good for me to go back inside. They would realize that I was sitting in my car for half an hour.

After about forty minutes, the gabbing stopped, and people headed to their cars. "You're still here? You should have come in and asked me to move my car." Yes, I could have done that, but at what point? As it was, I got a lot of junk cleared off my cell phone.

I tend to get myself into awkward situations. My painting group is meeting at a woman's house tomorrow for - whatever - since the American Legion Hall is being used for voting. I wonder what odd situation I'll get into if I go.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Go late. That way you can leave early if you want to.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right!

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I always try to park where I can get out no matter what time I want to leave. This means on the street with plenty of room behind me in case the person that parks in front doesn't leave me enough room. I will also park with a neighboring driveway in front or behind so that (theoretically) will not be blocked and I have room to maneuver.

Dodie

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

How about a pic of a painting? (yours, of course)

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

No way in hell I'd wait any more than 5 or 10 minutes before going back in and asking, "Who's white Honda (or whatever it was) is behind me?" I think it's a gender thing but when my wife and her friends are putting on their coats on to leave, I can count on another 15 to 20 minutes of their chatting at the door before they actually walk through it. If someone parked behind you, they run the risk of being pulled out of a conversation and coming out to let you leave. I try not to, but when I have to park behind someone I fully expect to have to move my car if they're leaving before me. It's just common courtesy.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, but that wasn't an option this time.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Funny you should say that, but it was a white Honda.

Yes, ordinarily women are the talkers, but this time, it was a man telling about his experiences at the 9/11 recovery site, and the driver of the car didn't think it would be appropriate to walk out in the middle of it. A woman there had a friend on one of the planes, not sure which one.

I figured that with the lack of socializing going on the past year, I'd let them yak for a while.

As for having to move my car to let someone out, I'm usually the first one out.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

You need a '70s Cadillac with big fenders.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My dream car!

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

Jerry that is not really a awkward situation except in your eyes. I give people more credit than that to worry about something like that. Most people would be gracious enough to come and move the car.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

WALK

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

No doubt about it, but then she would have headed home and missed the socializing.

fantom Loc: Colorado

It is always good to think ahead and plan for the various possibilities. You may park farther away but you are not blocked in and the walk never hurts either. I would always park somewhere that won't result in me being marooned there. Imagine how you would feel if you got blocked in and found that the Swedish Bikini Team had come to your house asking that you take some shots of them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unfortunately, the house is on a narrow, twisty road, so parking on the road is out of the question. Life goes on! As for the Swedish Bikini Team, I have autographed photos of all of them! (In my imagination)