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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wonder why people park next to lone cars?

161 replies

mrsCtheRed · 02/04/2026 20:40

So I've just got back from shopping, and once again, some absolute dickhead has parked right next to me, when there are about 168 free spaces, and only about 20 cars actually parked.
Surely it makes sense, when there's a block of empty spaces, to park in alternating bays, for the convenience of everyone?

I notice this ALL THE TIME, and I so want to come back to my car whilst somebody is actually mid park, and ask them Why? Why?
For the love of god, why?!?!!!!!!!!

I just can't get my head around why people choose to park next to an already parked car, when there's acres of spaces free 🤯

And the most annoying part is, I always park right at the far end of any car park, in the hope that its less likely to happen, and it still happens!

Can anyone give me an insight into why people do it? As I've now just come to the conclusion that they're all either selfish bastards, or thick as shit.

OP posts:
InMyOpenOnion · 03/04/2026 10:13

If I am parking in a pretty much empty car park, I always try and park where the space immediately to my right is undesirable in some way, eg, it's next to a pillar or a wall. It goes some way to deterring the irritating parking herders!

FabuIous · 03/04/2026 10:15

It it’s so empty, then if you have issues getting on and out, could you park at the end of a row? I used to like doing that when pregnant.

ilovepixie · 03/04/2026 10:31

I work in a shop and it’s either really busy or completely dead! It’s like people gather outside and wait till there’s a crowd of them before coming in 😂😂

LlynTegid · 03/04/2026 10:34

If you have a normal size car and they have a normal one too, I can understand why you would want to park there, given car parking spaces are not designed for SUVs and you would not want someone to damage your car. Either by being clumsy when opening car doors, or because they cannot drive the car properly.

Many people struggle with reversing, for example.

SockPlant · 03/04/2026 10:34

it is only an issue if you can't get into your car.

I asked someone once because we arrived back at our cars at the same time. He said that he has difficulty parking between the lines at that car part (it doesn't have a continuous line down each side, just a t-bar at the end of the parking space) and once he took up too much space by being over the line and got a ticket) So if he can park next to a (well parked) car, he does, because that way he can see where he is without getting out, checking it and having to potentially do that a few times.

Made sense to me.

GrillaMilla · 03/04/2026 18:16

SockPlant · 03/04/2026 10:34

it is only an issue if you can't get into your car.

I asked someone once because we arrived back at our cars at the same time. He said that he has difficulty parking between the lines at that car part (it doesn't have a continuous line down each side, just a t-bar at the end of the parking space) and once he took up too much space by being over the line and got a ticket) So if he can park next to a (well parked) car, he does, because that way he can see where he is without getting out, checking it and having to potentially do that a few times.

Made sense to me.

Well maybe he needs to learn to park his car independently, that's ridiculous!

Elektra1 · 03/04/2026 18:18

I find it easier to park beside a car than going into an empty space beside empty spaces. Hope that helps.

TheHateIsNotGood · 03/04/2026 18:21

I like a tidy looking car park not one with cars parked randomly around the place.

Crofthead · 03/04/2026 18:22

Same reason diners go to messy tables instead of cleared ones. Seeing someone else there makes it more appealing.

GivesYourHosieryaFright · 03/04/2026 18:48

If a lot of people do it, there must be a good reason why.

For some it might be - as others have said - because it's easier to park next to another car.

Another possible reason is that every lone-worker training course I've ever attended, the advice for parking in a quiet car park has been to park next to other car(s) and reverse into the parking space.

This means, if you think you might be followed on your way back to your car, your pursuer is likely to be put off if they think there might be people in the other cars and you can drive away quickly without having to reverse.

angelofmydreams1981 · 03/04/2026 18:49

Lemmings but who cares

mommydragonn · 03/04/2026 18:50

same as when there are empty seats on public transport away from you… but they choose to sit next to you.

KnittedEspalier · 03/04/2026 18:51

GivesYourHosieryaFright · 03/04/2026 18:48

If a lot of people do it, there must be a good reason why.

For some it might be - as others have said - because it's easier to park next to another car.

Another possible reason is that every lone-worker training course I've ever attended, the advice for parking in a quiet car park has been to park next to other car(s) and reverse into the parking space.

This means, if you think you might be followed on your way back to your car, your pursuer is likely to be put off if they think there might be people in the other cars and you can drive away quickly without having to reverse.

If it’s about safety, you can park near someone without parking immediately next to them. Could leave a bay in between.

This is about people who cannot park a car in an empty car park

GrillaMilla · 03/04/2026 21:07

I honestly don't see how it's difficult to drive into an empty parking space?! Bizarre

JuniorMint14 · 03/04/2026 21:21

Completely agree OP. I have car seats and small children so often seek out empty rows at the back when the parent and child bays are all full. Hate when someone comes up next to me because if I've removed the infant seat, sometimes I can't physically get it back in. Also, I think I must be the opposite to most people here in that I find it easier to park in a row of empty bays than inbetween cars. I prefer to reverse in as I hate reversing out and doing so between two cars is infinitely more stressful as there's the risk of a bump, especially when other cars are waiting. I should say I've never actually bumped into someone's car (touch wood!) but there's always the fear of doing so!

mindutopia · 03/04/2026 21:28

This is literally Dh. If presented with a mostly empty car park, he panics and will drive around like 3 times unable to decide which of the 50 spaces to park in and then he gets flustered and either parks next to the one car that’s there or he parks in like the furthest possible spot in the back. It’s become a joke now. It’s really annoying. It’s just because he’s offered too many choices and it like fries his brain. 😩

tinyladybird · 03/04/2026 21:55

I can't even read your full post as I was annoyed for you from just reading the title. People will defend it saying it helps their parking etc...it's weird, end of. Same as those who would try and sit beside you on an empty bus or the next table in a cafe when all the others are free. Ain't nothing as strange as folk.

MaryBeardsShoes · 03/04/2026 21:58

If someone has parked neatly I often park next to them as it’s a known quantity. So many people park like arseholes so you can barely open the car door when you return to the car. I also like to park in the same places otherwise I forget where the car is.

StillSpartacus · 03/04/2026 22:05

Are people really admitting they can only park if they have another car to guide them? People with driving licenses and everything?

namechangetheworld · 03/04/2026 22:12

I find it easier to park next to another car, instead of in a vast empty row.

It would also make me nervous walking back to a car parked alone in the middle of nowhere. Safety in numbers mentality I guess.

I find it odd that people are so bothered by it.

OneTimeThingToday · 03/04/2026 22:15

namechangetheworld · 03/04/2026 22:12

I find it easier to park next to another car, instead of in a vast empty row.

It would also make me nervous walking back to a car parked alone in the middle of nowhere. Safety in numbers mentality I guess.

I find it odd that people are so bothered by it.

Yoi find it odd that people are bothered by not bring able to.open the doors properly for young children, elderly relatives, disabled passengers etc?

icouldholditwithacobweb · 03/04/2026 22:18

YANBU, it's twatty incompetence tbh.

StillSpartacus · 03/04/2026 22:21

namechangetheworld · 03/04/2026 22:12

I find it easier to park next to another car, instead of in a vast empty row.

It would also make me nervous walking back to a car parked alone in the middle of nowhere. Safety in numbers mentality I guess.

I find it odd that people are so bothered by it.

Do you ever consider why people have taken the trouble to park at the back of an empty car park?

It’s often because they need more space to get their doors open. Why would you inconvenience them when you have other choices?

caringcarer · 03/04/2026 22:21

I find it really annoying. I park in a virtually empty car park and come back and hour later with a car parked so close I can barely open my driver door.

Plasticdreams · 03/04/2026 22:21

its the same people who like to sit next to you on an empty bus