Parking lot etiquette?

[un2xs]

The setup for the last in my trifecta of events today. Was headed to the downtown game store. Municiple parking lot behind the store with angled parking. (Important to the story.) One way lanes, two going east, center one west.

I pulled into the lot from the east and a car is headed towards going east In the west bound lane. I was nice enough to let him clear the lane before continuing. I drive the length of the lane spun around to check the east bound south lane. No spaces. My new friend had meanwhile driven west in the east bound north lane. I got to the end of my lane and headed west again in my original lane. I see the guy at the west end of my west bound angled parking lane. I head west. A lady comes out and gets in her car, obviously leaving. He starts heading forward, barely giving her dinky minie Cooper sized car any room to leave. He points at the space as she is backing out. As soon as she is clear, I pull my GMC C2500 into the space. He is mad and yelling that he called the space. I wasn't trying to be a jerk, I followed the traffic rules.

So I ask you all what does your parking etiquette tell you about this? Was I wrong to take a "called" space from a car going the wrong direction? Or, was I right because I followed the direction signs?

[Cdn_Cuda]

Had someone do this to me recently as well when taking my daughter to skating. They were going the wrong way and had to do a lot of maneuvering to get into the spot. They took it, but I was displeased, but just shook my head at them and found a different spot. Angled parking being the key. If it’s angled your way then it’s should have been your spot.

[JeeperCreeper]

Your car made it in the spot, that's what matters. Parking is open to the public and is first come, first serve. It helps that you were going the right way down the lanes, and the other person was not, but all in all, your car was in the parking spot. There's no "dibs" on public parking spots, except handicap parking of course.

[Shaftski]

had an armed courier tailgating me into a parking lot few weeks back. we pull into lot, there are only spaces on right hand side, all the spaces were empty. i turn right to pull into spot , only to find him passing me on the right, had to quick turn to avoid him trashing the front end of my truck. plus the punk was armed and driving like he was driving through the streets of Kabul. it was completely stupid of them, security cameras everywhere would have caught the whole thing if he hit me.

I try to park and if people wanna be hostile let them, its their problem not mine. I just try to not get hit around here which is actually pretty hard lol.

[Chappy]

Step 1: pay for accident forgiveness on your insurance.
Step 2: by a truck with a big bumper
step 3: hit them

[glaman5266]

This is why I park in or near the back (obviously lot size dependent). No idiots to deal with & I get some exercise. I just make sure I'm in view of a camera.

You're fine. I have little respect for those driving the opposite direction of the space angles.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I try and park as far away as possible. If I get to a place and can’t find parking I leave. I’m not going to fight someone over a parking spot. It’s definitely not worth getting your vehicle keyed. Or having the situation escalate to something worse. I also stay out of populated areas so parking is easy for me. I refuse to go anywhere close to the big city’s I don’t want to put myself in the situation ware I have to defend myself or my family I’m prepared to do so but I prefer just stay away. The mass psychosis is in full effect in them cities and I want nothing to do with it. I avoid conflict whenever possible.

[glaman5266]

AMEN!

[packersrule729]

Couldn’t agree with you more

[Tarsun2]

Same.

[un2xs]

Thank you for your thoughts. Not closing as someone else may want to chime in.

The parking lot thing was the least bad thing yesterday. Was just wondering if I was being a jerk be cause of a bad day... or, well... for some reason I value what you folks say.

Oh, my day? Shredded a front passenger tire at 75 mph on a GMC C2500. And, guess what... that's right no spare. Waited a hour for a friend to bring an extra wheel. Got it back home and the passenger window completely jumped the front track, which took several hours to fix for this BUY THE BOOK mechanic.

Thanks again for the public vent.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Ouch that’s a rough day. Once had my voltage regulator go out and strand me at night, in the middle of a road. An asshole in a Civic even yelled at me to turn my light on —- no voltage regulator = no voltage = no lights. Some kid walking down the street offered to help my push the car out of the way. Got towed home to find neighbour’s kids having house part across the street. Night ended with some boy crying at the side of my house as he got rejected. Was going to hose him but he was pretty sad.

[Twisted G]

I try and park as far away as possible. If I get to a place and can’t find parking I leave. I’m not going to fight someone over a parking spot. It’s definitely not worth getting your vehicle keyed. Or having the situation escalate to something worse. I also stay out of populated areas so parking is easy for me. I refuse to go anywhere close to the big city’s I don’t want to put myself in the situation ware I have to defend myself or my family I’m prepared to do so but I prefer just stay away. The mass psychosis is in full effect in them cities and I want nothing to do with it. I avoid conflict whenever possible.

Yep. I refuse to go to chicago these days. Concerts don't get out till after midnight. Not worth it.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I use to go to NYC all the time. See Broadway shows, hang out, go shopping and such. I can even carry in the city and I still stay the hell out of there. Last time I was there someone unsuccessfully tried to rob me luckily for the dirt bag I was alone. Because if my wife and kids were there I would be on the 5 o’clock news.

[coyote]

Life is a series of choices.

When you choose to follow the rules of the road parking is easier.

When you choose to be an assclown it is harder to park. Un2xs will probably get the space instead of you. I'll be glad for that.

[packersrule729]

Bit off topic but is your C2500 a square body? Would love a pic!

[un2xs]

Look here: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/o...vy-2500-advice

The more "full sized" square body is here: https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/o...age/384582-c60


I currently have an 88 Chevy Scotsdale until I get it sold. I was told those were the first year of that body style. Is Scotsdale the model or the trim package?

[Jonnydread]

If someone violates the unspoken rules of society, the consequences are on them. In your parking case, you were following the 'rules', so the other person can bugger off. That said, I'm also of the park-in-the-back mentality cause people are crazy and steadily getting crazier.

[glaman5266]

Yup.
I wonder- if auto makers intentionally or were forced to make slower/less responsive cars, would people drive in a more sane fashion? Probably not, but I'd like to think so, lol. All these new cars feel like a darn rocket when you even think about tapping the gas. If people are given the ability to drive like a madman, they're going to.

[chrislognshot]

do expect people to be polite and gracious. i had lady pull into walmart extra large handicap spot where she took up two spot by parking with sitting in both spots where car was at 10pm angle to 4 to 5pm angle where car would stick out into other spot where lines are at to make sure people can get in and out of car safely for handicap people. also she just sat in car waiting for other person she was with walked into store