It is more of a rhetorical question which, when a particular coworker predictably asks it his usual 5 or 6 times a day, I answer that humanity will never fail to disappoint.

Why'd they leave the breakroom counter a mess?
Why'd they leave the water filter pitcher empty?
Why'd they leave that trash box in the middle of the floor for someone to trip over?
Why didn't they clean the microwave when they spilt yucky, smelly seafood drizzlings on the m/w plate?
And so on...

Nevertheless, I add this one to the long list.

I make it a habit of parking my car by itself, with three or four spaces all around for easy access and to make less likely door dings and paint chips. I don't mind the extra steps--need 'em, actually, since my waggon IS draggin'--and I leave the closer in spaces for those who need them more than I do. You see where this is going, I can tell.

So why is there almost always a car right next to mine when I come back? I caught someone doing this parking thing today as I returned, and I asked her. Her answer was every bit as logical as a Glenn Beck comment. And she had that "deer in the headlights" look. Given my new civility, I restrained myself from yelling, "WTF?!!"

So yes, it is a rhetorical question. My answer is that many (most?) people go through life without thinking about where they are or what they are doing in the moment. A kind of "studied obliviousness" (my expression; please give me credit when you use it, and you WILL).

Other insights or incidents of "studied obliviousness" from other Catters?

Saul