Of ALL the spaces, you chose the one next to mine!!!!

[Tothemoonandbackx]

Just got to the local shopping centre and I've parked up in a spot where there are no other cars around me, there are probably over 100 spaces to choose from, and this guy has just parked right next to my car and struggled to open his door to get out????? Why would you not just park in one of the other 100+ spots where you are free to swing your door open as wide as possible and crab walk out of your car....just wwhhhhyyy!!!!!

I get this with huge vans, I could be the only car in the car park and come out. To find a bloody van right beside me. It's like my car attracts them.

I mean this genuinely: I'm really impressed by your parking rationale! I have never given any thought to that sort of stuff but it makes sense. In a normal car park, I just aim for the emptiest part but my work one is a different beast. It's far too small for the number of users so I always get to work really early; turn up on time and it's like Mad Max out there.

For context, the car park isn't a traditional compound-style one, it's basically just a one-way side street with spaces down one side. It has become a rat run off the main street, so random traffic cuts through all day.

I get there when it's pretty much empty so my only consideration is parking next to one of the speed bumps. I used to park elsewhere but I saw a van speed through the empty spaces rather than go over the bumps, and all of the "a car has been pranged outside" staff emails suddenly made sense. By parking at the speed bump, it forces people to go over it instead of around, reducing the risk of them pulling back in too late and clipping my car.

I get pissed when there's loads of free spaces and I've parked far away from the shop in an empty area. I have my door wide open getting the kids in safely, pram is usually next to my car too and I get someone waiting to drive into the space next to me, revving a little bit, edging forward, getting impatient.

Might be petty as fuck but I take an extra long time strapping the kids in, take ages to collapse the pram etc...

I never do it if there's hardly any spaces anywhere, but if half the car park is empty, go fuck off and park somewhere else! And this isn't even child spaces or even anywhere close to the shop. People are weird.

I was on an almost empty train once and a woman asked me to move my bag so she could sit on the seat next to me.
I replied there’s about 100 other empty seats - there was literally 10 people in the carriage - she said ‘but I want to sit here now move you bag now’

I got up and moved and led her get on orb it

There are frequently posters on MN who boast about this tactic so incensed are they by a bag on a seat. It pisses them off no end when you move. There are some incredibly petty people in this world.

On a busy train I get it and I would move my bag without question but there were literally 10 people. The 4 seats across the aisle were empty

Sone people are just beyond ridiculous

But it DOES matter if you are not straight! If I leave my car at even a very slight angle then it makes it difficult for other cars to come in next to me when the car park fills up.

Is this why I often go into car parks and cars are not straight, because they are terrified to line themselves up next to another car, but can't see the lines on the ground properly? Sometimes there aren't lines so you just have to guess. And actually when there are no lines it's better to go next to a car because you can then all park neatly next to each other rather than leaving huge gaps which then means that you don't get as many cars in.

This thread also reminds me of when I go to collect my DH from the station someone will come in next to me really close to the passenger side, so he can't get the door open when he gets off the train. Why do people do that.

Same. I’m really glad I don’t understand what motivates some people.

I swear it's some kind of weird homing instinct! No matter how far away DH parks, someone always feels the urge to show him some love and cosy up their car next to ours. Incredibly annoying, yes.

Interesting how people on this thread are explaining why they do the flocking/close parking thing but not acknowledging that others think it’s really weird or that they might change their behaviour. They are going to continue snuggling up to the only other car in the huge empty car park because 🤷‍♀️.

It's amazing how many people are just admitting that they have no spatial awareness and really should not be driving. Did no one ever learn how to park in an empty supermarket car park? 🤦🏻‍♀️

No, when you do your test, you park between two cars (as far as I know - when I did my test in the Dark Ages (sorry, Early Middle Ages)) you didn't even need to park - only reverse around a corner!

You don't ever, as far as I know, have to park between two badly painted lines on the floor.

Also, my spatial awareness is just fine, thanks. It's still easier to park next to another car.

But my car is only small so I don't get in the way anyway. Your ire would be better directed at the SUV drivers who take up two spaces and more road space.

@enchantedsquirrelwood I passed my test 2 years ago and one of the things I was tested on was bay parking in a car park with painted lines. No other cars next to me.

This amazes me. Same on beaches. Go to a massive, deserted beach in Wales a lot, absolutely huge and difficult to get to. As soon as we put down a picnic rug and some chairs, a solitary other family turn up and plonk theirs right next to you. It stounds me. Give peopel some space!

This has made me completely reconsider this. Thank you x

I think DS only had to do it when he finished the test and had to park in the test centre car park next to other cars. I guess it makes sense that they would usually choose to ask candidates to park between lines not cars because they can't hit anything