Unlocking Trust

When you go to the store, to restaurants, even to your own house...what is the first thing you typically do? If you are like me, you turn off your car, take your keys, lock the door, and carry on with your business. Even if you don't lock the door, I'm willing to bet you turn off your car. This is something I've simply never really given much thought to. It's simply what you do. I can't even really blame it on being cynical from having lived in New York City. No. It's simply what you do. Or so I thought.

Snow has come to South Dakota. It began with the brutally cold winds. Temperatures of 6 degrees. A freezing mist descending upon our fair town...causing traffic troubles and even walking issues. I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but freezing mist causes a thin layer of ice that one can not SEE, but trust me...it's there. I diverge. Then the snow came. It continues to fall. This morning, Dan and I decided to go out for coffee and then to a few stores for some things we needed, as well as a Christmas tree and decorations. So, as usual, we pulled into our parking spot...turned off the car...and got out and locked the doors. It was then we realized it. Yet another phenomenon of human behavior I was previously unaware of. EVERY CAR around us was running. The keys were in the ignitions. The cars were unlocked. The drivers were, presumably, shopping. Now I found this intriguing for even a TYPICAL car, but then we noticed the Miller Lite beer van. Running. Unlocked. Full of beer.

Maybe it's just ME, but in the middle of a town KNOWN for practically handing out alcohol and weaponry, an unlocked beer truck just seemed somewhat brazen. The minivan with the soccer mom wearing a track suit was running and unlocked. The Dodge Ram Diesel with custom pipes was unlocked and running as well. I could go on, but you see where I'm headed with this. It appears that the rational is that it's 4 degrees outside and snowing. Why NOT just keep your car warm...wipers on to keep the snow clear...perfectly ready and waiting for you after you've done your shopping?! I myself can think of more than a few reasons, and, no matter how much people seem to feel this is a viable option, the Dodge Charger is going to be turned off and locked.

I give props to those who have unlocked their trust issues...but at the end of the day (or shopping trip), I'd just as soon prefer my car to be there waiting for me. Cold---covered in snow---and all.