Waiting out the rain.

I learned a new concept today.  On my way to Target today to get cleaning products (yeah, my days off are exciting) it started raining, hard.  Lots of thunder and lightening as well.  I got my cleaning products and a few other goodies and checked out.  As I was leaving, there were about 20 people waiting at the exit door.  Just all hanging out.  A mother with 2 kids was right in front of me and she pulled off to the side and stood by the wall.  Her kids kept going and she yelled at them to stop and come back in, they were going to "wait out the rain".  I figured that's what everyone else was doing too.  So I pulled off to the side as well.  About 2-5 minutes later, there was a "window" where the rain lightened up significantly, almost stopping, and everyone ran for their cars.  By the time I ran out to my car and loaded up, it started with the downpour again.  Evidently, that is a predictable occurrence around here.  That's definitely not a concept that we have in the Pacific Northwest, we run for it even when it's pouring down rain.  There's a huge chance it won't let up for hours or days.  So no one stands around and "waits out the rain" because they'd be standing there for God knows how long.