Yep, and they must get so tired of hearing these excuses.
I used a real life example as a teaching opportunity last weekend. My Mom, daughter and I were shopping for some things my Mom needed in Red Deer (I am not familiar with Red Deer, but was using a GPS system to navigate around).
We located the store we wanted, was overjoyed to see a parking space right on the street in front and swooped in to grab the spot.
After being in the store less than 10 minutes (quickly discovering that they didn't have what was needed) I walked out to find a parking control officer writing a ticket for me. This back street has paid parking? What? Oh no...now taking a good look around, I saw the metering system. Groan.
I walked up to the officer, grinned and said, "I'm guessing you are writing a ticket for this red one" pointing to my vehicle.
"Yep," he said, "The meter is flashing; I write a ticket."
"Yeah, OK, I was only in there for 10 minutes or less - I didn't even see the meters when I went in. Sorry."
"I can't tell how long the meters have been flashing for, only that they are flashing." he tells me, still writing away.
I said, "Yeah, who knows how long mine's been flashing because I never put any money in it at all. The space was empty when I drove up and I just pulled into it and went into the store without looking around close enough..... I'm toast." and held out my hand for the ticket he just ripped off his pad.
He laughed at the "toast" part, crumpled up the ticket and said, "Ok, this time it's a warning."
(Pheww!) Thanks!
Then when in the car I asked my teen (who was watching the whole conversation wide eyed - Mom's getting BUSTED!) for her thoughts on why the Parking officer let me off with a warning.
She answered, "Because he was nice?"
I agreed, that was probably a factor, but added that I thought it might also be because I didn't give him any attitude, argument or excuses. I just told him the truth, admitted my responsibility and was prepared to accept my penalty.
Saved me $35.