There used to be a time when if businesses had their lights on at night, it meant that they were open. This provides a convenient and universal way for a business to signal to the consumer that "We're open for your business!" It also provides an easy way to determine who is open and who is not.

Now businesses seem to think their signs are 24-hour advertisements meant to permanently etch their product into our brains. While some businesses are still in the "lights out, we're closed" school, most are not. Although this is a tremendous waste of energy, that aspect doesn't bother me.

What bothers me is the damned inconvenience of having to drive into a parking lot, pull up to the door and find the business hours. The effect is direct and personal. And it pisses me off!