It’s late on campus, and you’re sitting in your car, waiting for a friend to meet you. Traffic is at a standstill, the nearby parking lot is empty, and you’ve put on the hazard lights of your car, while waiting.
Suddenly, a campus police car pulls up behind you, with flashing lights. An officer approaches you, taps on the window and says, angrily, “you need to move your car. There are enough parking spaces, so get in one. You are blocking traffic.” The officer rolls his eyes, gets into the vehicle, flashes his lights, honks his horn and waits until you move your vehicle.
OK, it’s wrong to double-park, even if it was just for a moment and for convenience. But consider another scenario: The office approaches the car and states, calmly, “Good evening, I need for you to move your vehicle because your vehicle seems to be blocking traffic. Can you please do so in a timely manner?” Is this too hard to do?
Attitude is everything, and one’s true character is revealed by his or her attitude. Some students play a part in upsetting officers on campus. Other times, it’s officers provoking students with their bad attitudes. There’s blame enough for both sides.
Students as well as officers should practice “The Golden Rule,” which is treat people the way that you want to be treated. If “The Golden Rule” becomes a part of everyday attitudes, then a lot of tensions on campus would dissipate. Students should not break rules and, if they do, accept the consequences. Officers should realize that some students don’t know the rules or need a reminder of rules.
Whatever the situation, just remember that attitude is everything, and it’s often the window to one’s soul.