Parking, boomboxes and dogs
There are some days I am happy and excited about life and some days I feel disillusioned and frustrated about what is going on.
I am writing this e-mail on the ferry to Pax’s favourite place, Tofino, a national park on the West Coast of Canada. We eagerly got up at 5 am to get on the earliest ferry, but ended up waiting for two hours and we still didn't get on.
When we finally got on board after two more hours of waiting, the driver of the truck behind us parked a full car length away from our car. In other words, he seemed to be completely oblivious that the space he left in front of him could have accommodated another car. The photo here clearly shows what I mean.
When I approached the man and inquired if he realized this, he replied: “I didn’t get on the previous ferry.”
I don't think he was being spiteful, just oblivious when parking. It clearly didn’t dawn on him how his inconsiderate behavior affected others. He was unable to cross the barrier of his own wants and needs.
Maybe I sound like an old person, complaining how much better the world was then and how bad it is now, but is it possible that our society is truly becoming more self-centered, lacking empathy and consideration for others?
One more example
Until a couple of years ago, no one walked around with a boombox in a backpack, blasting their music without any regard of others. Most people come to the forest to experience peace and quiet, not to listen to someone’s techno!💥💥♬💣
Lately, I have seen such “unaware folks” pretty much on every hike now, which provides opportunities to strike up a conversation on the topic. Most people are completely oblivious that their boombox could disturb others. Is empathy going extinct?🦖
Are dogs self-centered?
The jury is still out whether dogs would be similar because they can’t drive and park, nor can they carry a boombox. 📻🐶 However, they show clear evidence of empathy by being concerned about the wellbeing of their people and other fellow pack members.💕🐾
Perhaps we all need to be more mindful and ask how our actions affect others. Put ourselves in the other person’s shoes before we act and consider others when looking for a solution. Parking more mindfully or using a headset instead of a boombox says we care. Empathy works like magic and makes the world a better place.
One more thing! Caring about the well being of others does not mean we let them push us around and restrict our own freedom, but that is another story.
© Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM
