Flag Guy

There is an interesting phenomena that is probably exclusive to New York City, but might be found in other big downtown urban areas where parking is at a premium. It is the Flag Guy. This is usually an older gentleman that stands outside of parking garages and waves a flag to attract the attention of motorists who might be looking to park, but could miss the entrance to the lot. I assume the reason for the Flag Guy is that it is helpful on crowded streets where trucks or double parked cars and cabs can obstruct the sight lines of drivers, to have someone draw attention to the entrance. The large overhead  signs, as well as sidewalk signs, can be missed by a harried driver, unfamiliar with an area, who didn't budget enough time to account for circling looking for a spot or garage, on top of midtown NYC traffic.

So it seems that some of the more enterprising garages have gone out and hired an old guy to stand in front of the garage all day, like the greeters in Walmart, and waves a big orange construction type flag at the passing motorists to bring their attention to the availability of parking in the area.

However, yesterday I saw either a new breed of Flag Guy, or a Flag Guy gone nuts.

I was driving on the east side of Manhattan in the Eighties. As I came down the block, I spotted a Flag Guy up ahead. As I got closer, he GLARED at me, and then VIOLENTLY swiped his flag at me, ORDERING me to pull in OR ELSE!!

I thought perhaps that I had misinterpreted the move and the sneer, but as traffic was barely moving at that point, I had the opportunity to have the performance performed for me a second time. More glares and flag snapping ensued.

So as I passed him I thought perhaps the man had a bad experience once with a blue Honda, but to be sure, I kept an eye on him in the rear view mirror.

I saw that the next car also received the same treatment, glares, sneers and vicious flag snapping ensured.

So i realized that the flag guy either (1) hated his job, (2) hated all cars on general principles or based on  an experience with a car, or (3) hates people in general.

Not really the best basis for that kind of job.