Parking Spaces: Try to fit in (one)

Why do so many people park at odd angles, perpendicular to the lines, straddling the lines, or anything other than between them? I’ve never met any of the drivers in question to find out. But at the start of December my wife did. She was running errands before taking her dad to knee surgery. She stopped at Goodwill to drop off some items and the place was packed. There was only one spot, next to a car that was over the line. It was on her passenger side, so she was able to park and get out of her car. It was just a quick stop—in and out.

Almost immediately she was paged and informed her car was blocking someone in. She went out intending to apologize, but also point out that if the person had parked properly there wouldn't have been a problem. The other driver was an older woman who immediately starting yelling at my wife—that she should learn to park and stop being so inconsiderate. I’m told there was an examination of the physical evidence and a spirited discussion as to which of them didn’t know how to park. Finally the other woman snapped, “Just move your damn car.”

Having spent too much time with me, my wife folded her arms and suggested the woman try getting in her car from the passenger’s side since "there's lots of room over there". But after enjoying the moment, she moved. It was annoying, but not as bad as the time 2 guys stole a spot she was waiting for (with blinker on)—the car backing out blocked her from pulling in and in the meantime the guys swooped in from the other direction. When she told them she had been waiting for the spot, they just looked at her and then went into the mall. Chivalry isn’t dead, but it sure is in short-supply.

Okay, in a big empty parking lot, who cares how anyone parks? Well, I do, just not as much. But in a crowded parking lot it really annoys me when drivers can’t get it right. It’s a little thing, but it shows a lack of regard for others. Whether it’s by omission (not thinking) or commission (thinking, but not caring) it’s inconsiderate. These people need to be reminded that, as Kym’s recent post title says “Newsflash: You’re Not the Only Person in the World!”

Next up: "Proper Grocery Cart Etiquette", "If You Kick My Theater Seat One More Time!", and "It's 2am, Shut the H*** Up!" The last one was inspired by a drunken teenage party next door that spilled into their front yard--the elderly couple across the street send me a Father's Day cake every year to thank me for sending the kids home.