Car parking etiquette

[Mcpheenanny]

I've come to a large Tesco to do a large shop. My toddler has fallen asleep, so I parked at the very back of the car park, in a shady spot to let her have 20 mins.

I'm the only car in this section until a car pulled up right next door to me containing 2 men, who look about 30 years old.

This is odd, right? It's made me feel really uncomfortable, they keep looking over. I would move but then it's really obvious. They have eaten food and had a cigarette and show no moves to leave. Surely they know I would feel uncomfortable?

Why should they move ? you're the one who doesnt like the situation, you move

I think I'd move. Just drive round the car park and park in another section. It's probably totally innocent, but I'd still move

Maybe they're on a late lunch break and are wondering why a lady keeps looking over at them?

I would move but then it's really obvious if you're uncomfortable, I think it's up to you to move. Doesn't sound like they are doing anything wrong.

”I would move but then it's really obvious.”

What is?

Presumably to see them looking over you have to be looking at them. Perhaps they are wondering what you're doing too.

That said, if you are uncomfortable, just move. It isn't their problem.

Its a car park. People can park there, sounds like two men having lunch. I do home visits and often pull into a supermarket car park to have lunch and park at back too. Yabu.

I hate it when people do this! I often park away from the shop in a big empty area so I can breastfeed and then someone will come and park right next to me! I think it's just herd mentality though rather than anything sinister.

I would move but then it's really obvious.

Suddenly rummage for your phone, take a pretend phone call and then drive off.

Move yourself 🤨

I've had my head down on my phone but can see them looking over from my peripheral vision, I haven't been looking at them. It's very odd. Car park is huge, but they chose to park right next to me.

Presumably they have parked in a shaded spot away from the store to have their dinner then.

I'm guessing they went for the shady spot like you since they were planning on eating in the car.

Meh I can't get worked up about this. They're say eating lunch so its not like they deliberately parked there to intimidate you. If you don't like it, drive away, it might be "obvious" but they're total strangers so who cares what they think?

Car park is huge, but they chose to park right next to me.

How much is in shade, though? If they knew they were stopping to eat, they probably don't want to be in full sun, just as you didn't.

Perhaps they think you're odd.

I’d move. I couldn’t care less if that makes it obvious I’m uncomfortable.

What do you think they are going to do? Men park in car park and eat lunch. How is that odd? It is probably their usual spot.

Maybe they also wanted a shady spot?

So, two men in car have parked in the same shady part of the parking lot as you, eaten lunch, smoked a cigarette and then - well, nothing. What exactly about this is bothering you, OP?

See, if they were going to attack you/steal your car/abduct your baby seems to me they'd just get on with it rather than stopping to have a lunch and a cig first risking their prey just driving off at any second. Which you still could because though it might 'look obvious' to you to them it probably just looks like the person parked next to them is now driving off.

I would move but then it's really obvious

I don't care if it's obvious. I was once in a car park with about 40 spaces, and it was early Sunday morning, so about 4 taken. Someone came along and drove right in next to me. I gave them a look and moved the car. I don't care what they think of me. Why would you do that?

I prefer parking next to someone because it's easier to line yourself up if you are reversing in but I only do it if the car park is reasonably full and when I am reversing. In my case the person drove in (it was a few men in my case too).

People do it on trains, too. Empty carriage and they sit next to you. Make sense if it's a commuter train and it will fill up anyway but otherwise rather strange.

I suppose if it's a hot day and there are only a few shady spots that might make sense - in my case it was the middle of winter, though.

Erm, the back row of our Sainsbury's car park is where the kids park up to get their drugs. Just saying. Not normally in the middle of the day though!

What is it you think will “look obvious” and why is that bothering you?

If you’re not happy, move!

I honestly wonder how some people live. I find it amusing that you've spent 20mins waiting for your toddler to nap and now feel affronted by other drivers using the carpark for its intended purpose - to park.

It's a line of trees, 20 spaces at least, all in they shade. Another car has parked 4 down from me now. It's the parking right next to me that's weird. I will have to move to get toddler out as my door won't open if I don't. They really are that close.