And what would you like us to do?

"My car drove over a nail, and I got a flat tire," comments customer.

"Well, we're sorry for the incident, but it's something out of our control."

Makes several aggressive comments.

While we understand the reason for the unpleasant mood and attitude, we feel you're directing it at the wrong person.

Twelve Checks for One Citation

Ah, the famous two dollar ticket for reversing into a parking spot. That famous ticket which is waived for the first offense.

And this is how one customer paid for it:

Twelve Checks for 1 cent,  2 cent, 3 cents and so on...

On the memo line of the checks: "Thanks for keeping the streets safe," "Looks like I got a parking ticket," "Share the Laugh," "Ha ha ha" etc.

The ticket was voided and the checks were all sent back.

The Case against Plain Rudeness

Being rude or blatantly aggressive is a big no-no. You make us want to get to get rid of you as soon as possible. On the other hand, a nice personality, a strong (yet polite) case against a parking ticket is impressive, and we would be more willing to help you out.


Comment heard from a disgruntled customer: "I think it's ridiculous that students get more parking places compared to employees." Completely untrue, by the way.

Comment made by an employee once customer is out of earshot. "It's because of the students you have a job here."

We would love to make some clever and bitingly witty remark too. But why bother? The less conversation, the sooner you leave.


In conclusion, here's Meter Maid's take on personalities. Give them a parking ticket and see how they react.

Patience is Always Appreciated

Repeatedly banging on the counter top, ringing the bell, and calling out is just plain rude.

Tsk, tsk...Forged permit

Student approaches the counter. She is holding a five day permit card, and, gesturing to the second line, she says. "I forgot today was the 21st of September, I thought it was the 20th, so I corrected it out."

"Well, you're not really supposed to correct a line on it if you make a mistake. You need to cross it off. If not, the officers will think you're reusing that line."

(The matter is explained in an in depth manner)

"Well, I think (amount) is a little ridiculous for a student."

Officer and Manager are walking by the counter and hear the sentence.

"We think it's a pretty reasonable amount for stealing."

Student's mouth drops open.

"You were reusing the permit. When I gave the ticket, only the first line was filled out, and it had been reused three time. We have a photo of it. Do you want to see the photo?" questions Officer.

"No," student quickly walks off.

The photo is uploaded. The second line is blank, and the first line is rewritten in pencil, pink, and finally black.

Favorites Sentences from Today

"Well, I think it's unfair commuters have to pay for parking. Residents live on campus and can just walk to their classes."

"I paid (amount) for this permit, and I could not find any parking. This was the only parking spot that I found, and I'm not paying this ticket!"

"So this is a list of all the tickets I owe? Can't you give me a better notice? I mean how do I know if these tickets are mine or not? You could be giving a list of any old ticket with an outstanding payment."

If I just ignore them, then maybe my tickets will go away.

What a neat idea! Maybe that's what the guy - the guy who hasn't paid for a permit and has five outstanding tickets - is thinking.


A call received from a student who was issued a ticket for parking in a closed, commuter lot after midnight.

"I had some stuff to drop off at my room. I didn't want to move my car because it was late, and I felt unsafe. But I didn't want to use the campus safe walk program either."

And, therefore, you got a ticket.