Internet commenters were split after one UPS employee issued a stern message to impatient motorists.
In a viral video posted on October 6, delivery driver and TikTok user Mykol Gummings took to the platform with a plain request for other drivers.
"On behalf of every UPS, FedEx, USPS, any delivery driver," Gummings began. "If you're parked at a business...and we block you to make a delivery...please do not honk at us to get out of the way.
"Nothing you're doing is as important as what we're doing," he added.
@mykol_gummings Y’all need to learn to be patient! #upsdriver #fedexdriver #deliverydriver #worktok #workvibes #foryoupage
♬ original sound - Mykol Gummings
"Just be patient. We're only asking you for two to five minutes," he continued. "Stop honking at us. Let us make our delivery, turn on our truck, and get out of your way. It's that simple."
Captioned, "Y'all need to learn to be patient!" Gummings' video has been viewed nearly 40,000 times.
As retailers continue to bolster their online presence, and the ease of online shopping continues to decimate brick and mortar locations across the U.S. and rest of the world, the demand for quick and reliable deliveries has never been higher.
Over the last seven years, the number of packages shipped around the world has more than tripled, data published by Statista shows.
In 2014, 43 billion parcels were shipped and delivered worldwide. In 2021, that number jumped to 159 billion.
According to projections from shipping company Packola, worldwide parcel volume is expected to balloon to between 220 and 262 billion by 2026.
But while some may view growing parcel volume as a reflection of growing delivery capabilities, others may view such growth differently, especially when observed through a commuter's lens.
More deliveries means more delivery employees. And more delivery employees likely means more delivery trucks—taking up more space on roadways, impeding streets and driveways, double parking.
Although some cities in the U.S., like New York City and San Francisco, have made an effort to crack down on violations by drivers, stipulated fine programs have allowed employers to pay sums of money to essentially ensure their delivery people can continue to operate as normal.
"They just assume that's the cost of doing business," said Gersh Kuntzman, StreetsBlog editor-in-chief and former Newsweek editor.
"Wouldn't it be better if every block in the city had one or two loading zones where a truck driver could pull over, make a couple of deliveries, then go to the next block[?]" Kuntzman told Newsweek. "The problem is...you have to take three or four parking spaces away, and the residents don't want that."
Despite the existing conflict between delivery drivers and other motorists, there is a growing sense that both sides of the fence are thankless.
Those in cars, and those walking or biking, want unimpeded paths to get where they're going. Delivery people and other service employees often need to use the same spaces.
When both parties require the same space at the same time, there is sure to be conflict. Conflict that could be solved by major cities.
"Unfortunately, we haven't created ways for these people to do their jobs safely and efficiently," Kuntzman said. "So they are forced in most of New York City, in most urban areas...to double park.
"He or she is doing what has been called upon him to do. Now, I believe his company has let him down a little bit," Kuntzman added. "And I know his city has let him down because his company should be lobbying New York City or other cities to create space for these people to do their jobs."
Throughout the comment section of the video posted by Gummings, some TikTok users echoed this sentiment, firmly siding with delivery drivers.
"Facts bro #FedExStrong," one user commented. "I like when people honk at me, it just makes [me] stay there longer."
"Not even 2 minutes and I still get honked at," another commenter added.
In spite of Gummings' message, however, many commenters offered the opposite perspective.
"You can't block anyone," one commenter wrote. "You'll never know if someone has an emergency."
"Tell me why one day I waited for a truck to move and watched him sit there on his phone[?]" another user questioned.
"Nah bruh!" another commenter exclaimed. "Why is your time more valuable [than] mine?"
Newsweek reached out to Mykol Gummings for comment.
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