Why Are Arizona Drivers Suddenly Doing This Annoying Thing?

It seems that we lost some of our manners when the COVID-19 lockdowns hit us a few years ago. The head-scratching thing is, we've never quite recovered.

I can forgive the newly minted adults in Gen-Z. They missed out on social events during their formative years, and they're still learning to be fully formed adults; the rest of us have no excuse.

The Trend of Bad Manners

Have you noticed this annoying trend lately? I'm not talking about someone who can't be bothered to return a shopping cart, even though they're completely unencumbered. What I'm talking about is a close cousin to that behavior.

I'm not even mentioning the shoppers who change their minds about buying an item and then abandon said product on the closest available shelf. Even though this is definitely a relative of that bad habit.

READ: Gas Pump Etiquette Sparks Debate in Arizona

I'm talking about the folks who leave their car, truck, motorcycle, riding lawnmower - their mode of transportation - parked in front of the gas pump, and then go into the store, leaving their vehicle in the way so that no one else can use the pump.

What else stresses me out? Read THIS: Study Says Arizona is Among Most Stressed States

Pumps, Pumps Everywhere and Not a Person in Sight

This really happened last week. It had been a long day. I was tired and knew I had another long day ahead of me, so I stopped to refuel my truck before heading home.

I pulled into the gas station a few blocks from my house and tried to get my truck in front of one of the eight pumps on the property.

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I stopped at the station at a time when they're typically pretty slow, and boy, was I surprised! All the pumps had vehicles parked in front of them, yet there was not a single person in sight. 

Two of the pumps were even connected to cars, even though there was no one there manning them.

Why Do Drivers Leave Cars Parked in Front of Gas Pumps?

I was dumbfounded. Everyone had left their vehicle at the pump even though all but one space in front of the store was taken, and I had to wait for someone to return to their car so I could finally fuel up.

Is this the "new normal" we've heard so much about these days? Bad manners and a total lack of consideration for others, or am I just being a cranky person pining for a more polite time?