Upset by lack of scruples in society
Auntie, this is a rhetorical question – Why would some XXX scrape up the rear end of your truck (in a parking lot) and then just leave the scene with a smile on their face (because they hadn’t been caught?) In my case, I possibly have CCTV footage which will identify that XXX, so be expecting a call from me or the police! This reminds me of when I was learning to drive and I accidentally hit a car mirror – I left a note with my contact details and apology and later paid for the damage. What happened to morals in our society today? Why are people so wicked to do these things and smile as they leave the scene?
Auntie’s answer: I know you said this was a rhetorical question, but this is a topic that I feel very strongly about, so I am going to weigh in.
Like you, I find it appalling that some people seem to believe that if no one sees their indiscretion that gives them the right to simply drive away. I cannot even say how many times I have returned to my parked car to find a new and obvious dent, nick or scratch, where it would defy logic that the offending driver was not aware of what he or she had done. When that happens, I often feel more upset by the complete lack of consideration and ethics clearly displayed by the other driver than by the actual damage to my car.
And before any readers suggest that if I were the person causing the damage I might be tempted to do a runner, I have been in that position twice and both times I left a note and my contact details on the other car’s windscreen. The first time, my son nicked the door of the adjacent parked car when he opened his door. You could barely see the damage and it was one of many on the car, but I insisted we take responsibility, feeling this was an important teaching moment.
In the end we did go to see the owner of the car who, it turned out, just wanted to meet me to thank me for leaving him that note.
In the second instance, I left a paint mark on another car but the owner decided not to bother fixing it or asking me for money and instead she also thanked me.
Both times I felt good about myself and what I showed my children. I also want to emphasise that if the damage had been greater, I would again have left a note. I just feel it is the right thing to do.
It is truly a shame that there are people out there who do not feel the same.
Category: Ask Auntie
Quit your whining! Anyone who has been on island for more than a few days know about the lack of integrity that exist within local society both expat and Caymanian. The idea of pockets of ethical people in the Cayman Islands makes me laugh.
I was surprised only once by an ethical person in Cayman because he left a note when after believing that he scrapped my mirror. I saw no damage but called to thank him for his honesty but I am disappointed to say that I have no expectations to see the same out of anyone else within our community. He was an American with Cayman status and even though it was brief restored my faith in basic human decency.
Alas, it’s not just you. I’ve never had a traffic accident, yet in Cayman I have to send my vehicles out for body shop work and paint every two-three years because of serious parking lot damage (3 or more panels). It seems to be a combo of deliberate malice, intoxicated drivers, and 40 pass tour bus drivers that try to park or turn around as if they were driving smart cars. There’s never a note or phone picts, not even from eyewitnesses that hear and see the sound of metal on metal and watch them drive away. Part of the pervasive no-snitch culture.
Leave a camcorder running when out of your car.
I’m just going through the cctv footage now…
What is a camcorder?
I think people who take trucks into parking lots are a thorough nuisance and I have no sympathy for your tale.
4.55
…you’re an idiot !!
No, I can assure you I am far from an idiot. However, sir, and I use that term loosely, you do confirm the view of many that truck drivers tend to be a very angry lot.
In the same way you make an wild assumption about truck drivers you automatically assume I am a man…. do you think women are incapable of handling a truck?
4.55 pm… I think people who make inane comments like yours, are just a pimple on the a** of society !
This is an all too frequent occurrence and has happened to me several times. I Have returned to my car many times to find paint scraped, light lens broken and bumper damage. I am not making excuses for the offenders but part of the problem is that parking stalls are just not designed for the huge number of large vehicles. Just recently I returned to my car after eating at Canton to find a BUS parked next to me leaving just six inches gap. Perhaps if the designers incorporated wider stalls then the problem would be reduced.
I know the feeling, I was involved in a hit and run by a drunk driver. and now I’m left with the damage I can’t afford to fix, Insurance can’t even help.
The wise old advice still holds true. If you cannot afford fully comprehensive insurance you cannot afford he car.
Most Insurer’s don’t offer Comprehensive Insurance once a car is 7 years or more….
If a vehicle is over 7 years old it is worth so little I do not see why people are getting stressed over a minor scratch or bump.
Doing damage to other people’s property is a malicious injustice – it doesn’t matter how old the car is (you snooty jackass).
Not all insurers will offer comprehensive insurance on older cars
12.14pm.. I guess you must have missed 8.38am’s post ……just saying…..
I suppose you’re saying that maintaining Fully Comprehensive Insurance ( If your car is new enough to be able to get it ) makes it OK for the person who damaged your car ! Not a good excuse for forcing you to pay the extra premium.
Pure bunk My wife was hit infront of many witnesses There was no need to “investigate” driver was clearly seen what happens nothing not even a ticket to the punk in the beat out Honda