To think if you drive a massive wide car you have to accept parking issues in narrow spaces...

[Botanicum]

Often when I arrive at swimming there’s only one or two spaces left in the small car park outside (more spaces in a larger car park the other side of the small carpark and round a building).

I take whatever space is left, and it’s often between two huge tank-like 4x4 cars. I have a small car and I’m small so I can get out without contact. I can see that it’d not be so easy easy with the higher car... but then I don’t feel like Parking further away when there’s a space I can use. Especially if the owner has chosen to risk parking their wide car in a small carpark with narrow spaces. I think it’s inevitable someone will park next to you when it’s busy.

Today a woman was there when I got back and had a right rant she couldn’t get it from how I’d parked (a straight park equal distance from cars either side in the only available space). She reckons I should park in the next car park if I can see I would make it difficult for car next to me entirely filling their spaces. My view is if you chose such a big car, and you aren’t one to squeeze, you should go in the emptier carpark further away. I ignored her pretty much, got in easily and quickly and drove off.

What would you do? Park in the available space? Or park in the next carpark over?

Years ago I drove a shed, a small one at that.
One afternoon I pulled on to the Doctors car park to see one solitary space. Next to it was some guy who had decided he needed two spaces and parked over the line, clearly thinking nobody would park next to him. So I did.

I was a bit early so was in the car reading when he returned. He ranted and raved whilst I smiled sweetly at him and explained it was a small car park and taking 2 spaces wasn't really on. I offered to pull forwards so he could get in without having to climb over the passenger seat. He carried on ranting so I put my window up, returned to my book and let him crack on.

*@Frouby

"not all drivers own 4 x 4s because they are status symbols and some actually need that type of car for whatever reason. And if you can make someone elses life a bit less difficult by not proving a point you should.

Don't go out of your way to be a dick."

Hang on a bloody minute.

So the OP perfectly parks (between the lines, equidistant) in a spot that was available to her.

She wasn't doing it to prove a point. She was doing it because it was convenient to her, which is surely the whole reason why we choose a parking space location.

She could exit and enter the car without issue.

What on earth is "being a dick" about that? So you honestly think she and other should have parked way further up the car park, just to show respect to these behemoths in case someone struggles getting into it if there's another car park?

May I respectfully say to those people who buy huge cars, then panic and get angry with people who park correctly next to them...

...why on earth did you buy this car if you can't get into it without issue?

Your problems are NOT everyone else's problems. Get a car which suits you and the reality of UK roads, or find a way to get into your car which allows you to if someone has the temerity next to park to your vehicle.

@GhostsInSnow

Love this!!! Nicely done.

You've done absolutely nothing wrong, OP. When it comes to parking, some people can become very selfish.

I have a blue badge and quite often find great big cars, not displaying a badge, parked in disabled bays. They probably don't want their doors getting dented.

Wouldn’t that mean fewer spaces all round though? How would that be fair on people who drive normal sized cars
You missed the memo where anyone parking properly in a space next to a large car has obviously been a dick and should have parked somewhere else so not to inconvenience the people with cars too big for spaces.

@LolaSmiles

So true.

It's bizarre hearing that people actually get angry with someone for having the temerity to just park correctly next to them in a space that's advantageous for most users.

If you parked correctly, then what on earth have you done wrong? I used to drive a huge great 4x4 which was a necessity for towing a huge horse trailer.

As far as I am aware all huge 4x4s can be accessed through the back door if any poor 4x4 driver has a problem getting back in when they've chosen to park somewhere with tight parking spaces.

You were inside the lines and in the middle of the bay.

YANBU.

Also everything that @DippyAvocado said.

I ignored her pretty much, got in easily and quickly and drove off.

See that's the only aspect about this in which YABU. You should have stayed long enough to point out what a tit she was being and that you were parked perfectly within your space. If she can't manage in a smaller space then she should be the one to park further away.

Ha ! Cheeky Fucker. I drive a 4 x 4, some spaces are too small to exit comfortably (I can park well and always centrally with equal distance between both side of the white lines), I have simply mastered the art of shimmying out of the driver’s side, its a sight to behold

boss

I'm guessing you don't take it upon yourself to police anyone parking correctly either side of you though or suggest they park miles away so it's convenient for you.

I have a big car and 4 children. Luckily we're all pretty slight so can squeeze out of the doors if I park in the middle of the lines.

I drive a big 4x4. My own fault entirely if I park in a spot I then can't get out of.

Other driver is a twat

Yanbu im 100% with you. Car shopping atm can I can’t believe the size of the care in the forecourt. I’m looking for a small car but even compared to my current car they are noticeably bigger.

@5foot5
I thought I did point out what a tit she was by quickly entering my car... as it was exactly what she was claiming was impossible to do.

@Frouby if I was trying to be a dick I wouldn’t have parked centrally, I would have parked very close to her car.

YANBU. But car parks should be adapted to fit the size of modern cars. The spaces are generally too narrow these days.

Wouldn’t that mean fewer spaces all round though? How would that be fair on people who drive normal sized cars

I see your point, but I think these days all ‘normal sized cars’ are really too big for the spaces. I drive a smallish car and it’s still a squeeze to get in and out of the doors in car parks (and no, I’m not overweight!). It’s only really the teeny cats like Fiat 500s that are really comparable to car sizes back in ye olde days.

Possibly we may need fewer spaces in future, if environmental measures to reduce car use ever get off the ground.