So the other night we went to the Mall of the Emirates to see that movie Reel Bad Arabs. Now, it's dark and it's pouring rain, so everyone is kind of driving like idiots to begin with. It doesn't help that the parking garage at the mall is very poorly laid out, there's no easy way to get up to the top floors without driving through a few rows where people are parking, so everything gets backed up very easily. Generally when we go over there we park on the roof - it's a pain to get to, but at least it's out of the way.
Monday night, though, I didn't really want to park on the roof because of the rain. I went to the third floor, however, and had to drive around and around to find a spot. Finally I see three people walking up to their little hatchback. They wave, I assume at me, so I flip on the blinker and wait.
They're kind of taking their sweet time getting in the car, when all of a sudden this big Land Rover / Land Cruiser-deal comes speeding up behind me. Enough so when I see it in the rear-view I actually braced for impact. But it stops in time, and the door flies open.
A blonde woman runs to my side of our car and raps on the window. Startled, I look to find the button to open the window and she opens my car door.
What the hell?!
"We have an agreement, I'm getting that spot."
"What?"
"I've been following those people around the lot, and we have an agreement that I'm getting their spot."
"Huh?"
I was floored. Was she making this up? Were they waving to her and not me? Wait, did she seriously just open my car door?!?
I didn't know what to do, I was so in shock.
She stalks back to her truck and waits. The car in front of me pulls out and drives off. What do I do?
Do I park here and tell her to scram? I mean, she's white and sounded British, so she's not one of the sheikh's daughters or anything, but on the other hand who might she know who could get me kicked out of Dubai? Who knows?
What do I do?
I drive off.
I'm still in shock. Liz, on the other hand, is furious.
Did she really open my car door?!?
We eventually found a spot and parked. I kind of wanted to go over to the truck and do something, I dunno, write down the license plate number or spit on the windshield or something, but I didn't. I went to the movies and got popcorn instead.
In my life I've learned:
The drivers in Boston can be inconsiderate.
The drivers in New York City can be downright rude.
The drivers in Los Angeles can drive much to quickly for their own or other people's safety.
