Drivers waiting for a space in shopping centre car parks

[Lydiaatthebarre]

Earlier today there was a queue of traffic backed out onto the main road from my local shopping centre car park - all caused by a driver sitting with his indicator on waiting for someone to unpack loads of shopping into the boot of her car, get two toddlers strapped in and leave the trolley back at a nearby bay.

AIBU to think that, yes, finding parking can be difficult at this time of year, but no, that doesn't mean that common sense and consideration for others (including the very stressed looking mother trying to get packed up and out of the space as quickly as possible because she was probably mortified at the hold up) goes out the window?

[Those of you objecting to someone sitting waiting for your space - do you only object of they are blocking traffic or just object generally? ]

I think the general point of the thread is people not using common sense and differentiating between a car about to leave, and a person who has considerable unpacking and strapping in to do before they'll be in a position to drive out. If you can't wait for the latter without holding up cars behind you, then you should drive on. Not only are you causing a tailback, you're also putting the person trying to get shopping and kids into the car under stress. No one likes to feel that a line of impatient drivers are watching their every move and sighing because they can't get their wriggly toddler strapped in etc.

Just use common sense.

Just use common sense

Unfortunately, a very rare commodity.

Plus I might worry that when I got to my car some other car spots me and starts waiting. What then? 

That isn't your problem. You do not own the space to 'give' to someone, nor should you fret if someone else nabs it. All you can do is inform them that the space you are using will be free in a few minutes. It's a helpful hint.

@deepancrispandeven

We're field reps. His company require him to do admin after leaving the supermarket, and as his car is tracked, they check his sign out times (and in) against his car times.

Biancadelriosback it matters not as I said,it's all hypothetical anyway.

I was thinking about this thread as I picked up ds2 this evening....huge shopping centre that houses the nursery so massively busy for Christmas

Spaces were few and far between and the car park was rammed but no real choice as I had to park to pick up ds2 (can't wait until next year when ds2 goes to the nursery attached to ds1 school)

Ds1 and I spot a woman returning to the car pull to the side and indicate...she uses her hand his at she's leaving but is obviously elderly with what I assume is her grandson (I dropped my window and shouted " No rush at all take your time do you mind if I wait" she smiles and we exchange very short words about the insanity of Christmas) she then puts her grandson in the car

She does granted take a while t i can see she has some mobility issues so we happily wait (ds1 and I had a very productive debate about who would win in a fight godzilla or king Kong....if anyone is interested it's godzilla but only if he is covered in lava ...obvs)

Just as she starts to move to get in the drivers a large sleep saloon goes around me and waits in front (literally blocking her in) and indicates for her space

Well....i was granted about to say something...she glared at him (seriously if looks could kill.... there would be a snappy one line toting detective duo along any moment)

She stood at the back if her car arms folded and glaring at him and point to me at her space and firmly planted her feet at the back of the car

It was bloody glorious

He promptly flipped me the finger yelled something at here (I very very much doubt it was a form of Christmas greeting that didn't involve shoving something somewhere) and roared off

So I sort of retract my comment about the hoiked bosom woman because she was on my side tonight

Gotta love where I live ...it really is a huge shopping centre so to be honest with the volume of people and the fact I go twice a day for ds2 nursery you get to see the most interesting incidents of life

So I retract It because by God she was brilliant

Up the hoiked bosom ...may it live forever

Sorry many typos but in my defence had Ofsted in today I am knackered lol you get the idea

I don’t mind if I’m clearly about to go but not the people who wait before you have even got near your. Car,