AIBU to wonder why people park next to lone cars?

[mrsCtheRed]

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.

You need to go shopping much earlier. Most of these idiots aren't out before 9am.

that was me. I find it easier to line up next to a car (beeps) than a line on the ground. Im crap at parking

hope you have recovered from the ordeal

@DarkForces I'd expect nothing less from you 😂

They can so so IF there is one available.

Not everyone with mobility issues gets one. Plus there are people with temporary issues, those with small children, people who have to put shopping on their back seat because their boot is full.

Those people would choose an empty spot for ease of access. Then some wally comes up and parks right next to them when they could be considerate instead, if only they could drive competently and gave a shit about anyone but themselves.

I have a small child. I also find it easier to get her in and out of the car in a “normal” space if there isn’t a car beside me (when there isn’t a parent and child space available). However, car parks are car parks and are designed for cars to be parked next to each other, so somehow I manage. It certainly wouldn’t occur to me to think that someone had deliberately acted to inconvenience me by parking next to me. Because I don’t go about life thinking the worst of everyone, and I’m not a professional victim or complainer. Each to their own, but that sort of negativity just doesn’t do anything for me.

I was unaware of these car park rules. What other rules are there about parking? I literally don’t have time to think about which space I park in. I see a space and park in it.

I park next to a car on my street as it’s more space efficient - I get annoyed when people leave awkward gaps that results in less spaces available. I’ll do this even if there is only one car on the street because it always gets full after 6pm

I find it annoying when a cyclist locks their bike to the same rack as mine when there are free ones 10 metres away.

And especially annoying if they lock mine to the rack at the same time, as has happened more than once.

You think that thinking of others is negative? .

Well that’s quite the unusual take. It’s the opposite of negativity, because it’s about hoping that people consider others, not just themselves. If we had more of that and less selfishness things would be much better all round.

Maybe you didn’t realise previously that you were inconveniencing people. That I can understand. What I don’t get is how you can learn about how you might be affecting others and yet still double down and think ‘fuck them, it’s slightly easier for me to park squashed up next to them, so I’ll just please myself as I don’t care that I might be causing someone a problem or pain’.

But as you say, each to their own, it’s just that selfish behaviour doesn’t do much for me.

That’s different, it’s the considerate way to do things when cars are lined up along a street. It leaves maximum space for others and there’s not the issue of stopping people easily opening their doors and getting in or out.

I once parked in a nearly empty car park to go and buy a birthday card. I went back to my car to write in it and address the envelope etc., I left the car door open as it was a hot day.
A car decided to park right next to me, although there still were lots of empty spaces. As the car was manoeuvring a "helpful" elderly lady walking past told me that if I closed my door it would make it easier for the other driver 🤦‍♀️

I have quite a wide car, with long doors and so always try and park away from everyone else to ensure it's physically possible to get in and out. (And to avoid dings, which I've now had 2, but thankfully always have cameras and claimed on other people's insurance even after they flat out refused to believe it was then!)
While you're of course allowed to park next to me, if the car park is empty I do judge you if you park next to me and block access to the driver side door.
If you can't park in an empty car park, you shouldn't be driving. If you need beeps to park, learn to drive. Yes, I'm judging you. Parking in an empty car park is so easy just by you looking, I'm worried that if this causes you problem, you probably shouldn't be on the road at all.

My post clearly said that I find assuming that if something inconveniences you, the person has done it for that purpose, is negativity I have no time for. There is no way of interpreting that as “thinking of other people is negative”. I think your attitude is egocentric and negative. Have a lovely day with it.

Yes I agree @InMyOpenOnion This thread has been a revelation. I did not realise some people can’t park unless they have another car to line up with. That’s very scary. What must the rest of their driving be like? I used to joke that if I parked in an empty field someone would park right next to me. Then that actually happened. I was directed to an overflow car park for a NT property. It was a completely empty field. I parked got out of the car and another car rolled up. I could almost see the dust rising from my car paint work as they squeezed up next to my car in a completely empty field.

Life feels much better and more joyful when you let go of judging everyone, and instead work on the basis that most people are good people, and perhaps they have a reason for parking next to your car which is equally valid as your reason for wanting them not to park next to your car.

I hate to disappoint and inspired by this thread I'm going to make up my own rules about car parking. I'd quite like people to organise themselves by colour so my eyes are pleased by a delightful aesthetic experience each time I have to park. Having to coexist with ignorant strangers who refuse to abide by my wishes leaves me helplessly fuming 😤 😡

Who was saying that people were deliberately doing it to inconvenience others? Because it wasn’t my initial point, which was more a sense of people are weird and not getting the etiquette.

The point about it being deliberate was because you were still saying you’re going to carry on doing it anyway, despite now knowing the effect it can have on others. That clearly makes it deliberate.

You misunderstand the meaning of egocentric. As I explained earlier, I’m able bodied, the only effect on me when people do this is it makes me think they’re a wally. The point I made about it being selfish was in relation others who do struggle and could do with people like you exercising some consideration for others.

Life feels much more joyful when we all look out for each other and don’t just look out for number one.

If I went about life thinking about how every normal thing I did MIGHT (but might not) inconvenience someone, I’m afraid I wouldn’t get anything done. I’m a busy single mother with a demanding full time job. I exercise consideration in situations where it is clear that consideration is merited, such as by not parking in parent and child spaces without a child with me, not sitting in the accessible seats in public transport when I can stand. The rest of the time, I’m going about my life with no malice towards anyone. Your militant judgement of that suggests considerable malice and perhaps you should look at yourself before getting so het up about normal people parking in normal spaces

I look out for people every single day. Have a nice time preaching my dear.

It's been that way for ages even when I passed my driving test which was umpteen years ago. I spent so many lessons lining up spaces with my back windows it became second nature (which presumably was the point). Because of that it looks me ages to understand some of the comments.

It probably helps that I don't drive a huge car either.

It’s like when you’re at the gym and you’re on the cross trainer - there’s a row of ten, so the other 9 are all empty. Yet, the person goes on the one next to you! Argh! Whyyyy

Yes I say "now" because it wasn't when I took my test, but come to think of it that was 30 years ago! I agree about being a bit bemused about people saying they need another car in order to be able to park straight, hopefully anyone who's passed their test since car park parking has been in it won't have this difficulty.

Baffles me too- particularly annoying if I have to open doors wide to let kids or dogs out.
I've been known to drive to another space if this happens as I'm parking!

There’s no malice, my lovely, just a suggestion that now you know something you didn’t before, that you might change what you do to help others out. That’s all. If it’s nervousness about parking skills, I’m sure a bit of a practice getting in and out by using the lines would sort it out for you.