Rant about people who block parking lot aisles

[snailboy]

Here's to you, fuckers. If you see someone putting stuff in their car, you will wait 5 minutes blocking the aisle until they finally get into their car and drive off. Meanwhile, other people are stuck behind your lazy ass waiting for you to do something. Here's a suggestion jackass: if you don't see reverse lights, keep driving. You may have to park in a slot further back. Deal with it. You're probably a fat ass that could use the exercise anyway. If you really needed a spot up front, you'd have a blue card hanging from your mirror. That is all, for now.

[Duck Duck Goose]

Nope, sorry, I'm not a particularly lazy person, nor am I a fatass who needs exercise, nor do I need a blue card hanging from my mirror, but if there's a spot close to the entrance, and they're obviously unloading their shopping cart and are gonna drive away in a minute or two, and especially if it's raining or snowing, I'm gonna sit there and wait a couple minutes for that spot. If that irks you, sitting there behind me, take a chill pill and a deep breath and reflect that in the larger scale of things, in which galaxies and universes are constantly being born and dying, this too shall pass. ;) You must learn patience, Grasshopper. Or as the man said, "Eh, where's the fire?"

And can you swear on this here Bible here that you yourself have never, ever parked your little booty right there in the aisle while Grandma unloaded her four cans of cranberry sauce, because that spot is right there by the entrance, dammit, and all you want is to run in for a gallon of milk, and why should you have to hike in from the boonies just for a gallon of milk, thus necessitating the guy in the car behind you having to take a chill pill, deep breath, reflect, etc.?

Uh huh. I thought so. ;)

[snailboy]

I have no god, but I can swear on that. If their reverse lights are on or they've at least started the vehicle, I may wait. I've never seen someone putting their stuff in the vehicle and wait. It would take less time to walk from the back of the parking lot than to wait on them. And usually when I go to Walmart (or any store for that matter), I'm only going for one or two things. Last time I went, which is what inspired this thread, I went for a pair of bootlaces. I parked in the first aisle I drove down in the last empty space I could see. As I walked to the store, I saw another empty space or two that were closer, but I wasn't lazy enough to care. I mean I'm a pretty damn lazy person, but come on... If I'm only going for one thing, I'm not going to take all day/night to look for a parking space.

Of course right now I'm driving an unusually large truck, so sometimes I intentionally park towards the back so I can take two parking spaces instead of having my truck stick out in the isle. I've gone even more extreme on my bike, parking in the very back and walking 5 minutes so my bike is in plain view of passerbyers hopefully decreasing the chances of it getting stolen. Even in my car, I never go down more than two or three aisles before choosing a spot, and I only waste that much time if it's packed. I don't expect other people to park in the back without looking for a spot, but waiting several minutes with people behind you is rude and disrespectful.

[divemaster]

Plenty of times I'll pass by one of these waiting cars, park in a spot a little further down the row, and end up walking past the still waiting car on my way into the store. If they'd have just done what I did, they'd already be in the store.

But no, they are still there waiting, waiting, gumming up the travel lane, waiting, waiting.

Hell, for all I know, they're still there, waiting.

It's amazing the lengths some people will go to to avoid walking an extra 30 yards or so.

[Lissa]

But no, they are still there waiting, waiting, gumming up the travel lane, waiting, waiting.

Especially since people will intentionally move more slowly when they know someone is waiting for the space. I actually once saw a woman just sit motionless in her car for a while rather than surrender the space to the car waiting in the aisle.

Last Christmas, I had the somewhat amusing experience of being trapped because two cars were competing for the space I was going to vacate. Neither would budge and give up their claim to it. One of them finally did, or I'd probably still be sitting there.

[Qadgop the Mercotan]

Yup, I can't stand that behavior either. I've seen (and been in) 10+ car backups because some narcissist both:
A) sits there for at 5 minutes waiting for the car to pull out.
B) fails to leave room in the lane for anyone to get around them.

If you do the former, you must also avoid doing the latter. Either that, or give up your wait when you see traffic piling up behind you.

[Mama Tiger]

I confess to having been guilty of doing this a few times recently. Why? Because I have one of those trusty blue cards (which I do not leave hanging all the time, since it blocks my vision; I only put it up when I've actually pulled into the parking space), I'and sometimes there are no handicapped spots available but I'm having a bad day and can only walk a very limited distance, so the only way to be able to survive my shopping trip is to park as close as I can. So yes, I will wait, and no, you won't see my blue card. Guess what? You can't always tell who really needs that spot and who's just being an asshole.

[PunditLisa]

I will wait only when the parking lot is completely full and following someone to his/her car is the only chance of snagging a parking space. And, yes, there have been times when there are NO parking spaces available.

Of course, with the advent of the internet, I rarely have to venture forth into the world of brick-and-mortar retail. For this I am eternally grateful.

[snailboy]

I confess to having been guilty of doing this a few times recently. Why? Because I have one of those trusty blue cards (which I do not leave hanging all the time, since it blocks my vision; I only put it up when I've actually pulled into the parking space), I'and sometimes there are no handicapped spots available but I'm having a bad day and can only walk a very limited distance, so the only way to be able to survive my shopping trip is to park as close as I can. So yes, I will wait, and no, you won't see my blue card. Guess what? You can't always tell who really needs that spot and who's just being an asshole.

You're right, but I'm pretty sure you're in the minority. Most people are just assholes.

Yup, I can't stand that behavior either. I've seen (and been in) 10+ car backups because some narcissist both:
A) sits there for at 5 minutes waiting for the car to pull out.
B) fails to leave room in the lane for anyone to get around them.

If you do the former, you must also avoid doing the latter. Either that, or give up your wait when you see traffic piling up behind you.

I agree completely. I drove by one last night where there was barely enough room. Actually, I guess there wasn't enough room because my mirror brushed against his. I admit I shouldn't have tried it knowing there wasn't much room, but he shouldn't have been sitting there so long either. I parked in a spot just in front of the one he was waiting for. He stopped in the aisle behind me asking for my insurance and saying he was going to let the cops sort it out. As irritated as I was that his rudeness caused the situation in the first place, I stayed cool since it was legally my fault. I looked at his mirror and there wasn't a bit of damage to it. I was walking back to my truck to get my insurance when he changed his mind and decided to let it go. The thing that really upset me was that he seemed angry simply because I tried to pass him. Yeah I tried to pass you, jackass. I'll be a little more careful next time and you should be a little more considerate and we'll both come out better.

[Gangster Octopus]

I'd say 90% of the time this is very annoying. However, during the holiday season you have to do this anywhere somebody is leaving just to get any parking spot at some of these places. It's just insane during the holidays

[Subway Prophet]

I just don't get why people have a compelling need to park crammed up so close to the door. Obviously, there are exceptions, such as the afore-mentioned blue card. However, the majority of car-parkers seem to have a weird compulsion to park as close to the door as possible, to the point that they'll drive 5 or 10 minutes until the perfect spot presents itself.

This is especially confusing to me in large parking lots where there's a fire lane between the door and the first parking stalls. It's going to take you 10-20 seconds to walk across that gap, why not find a more sane parking spot, one which you don't need to wait for and which may give you more room to wiggle in? It'll only cost you an extra 10-20 seconds worth of walking time.

Note that I'm not ranting about said people, just confused by their decision-making logic. :) ...Though when I'm a passenger with a driver who insists on hunting for their perfect spot, I feel like smashing puppies with a cinder block. Just park and get out, dammit!

When I'm driving, I look for the aisle nearest the door, and park in the 2nd or 3rd empty spot in that aisle, which is usually in the last half of the aisle. It makes maneuvering the shopping cart soooo much easier, especially with the kids and the baby seat. And if someone beats me to it, I'll take the next empty one. I normally don't need to spend 5-10 minutes cruising the parking lot looking for the perfect spot; at most two passes down an aisle gets me there. 99% of the time I don't even need to hunt; the spot is plainly visible from anywhere in the parking lot.

I contend that, by not hunting for the perfect spot and taking the first available spot, I'm actively trying to be a more responsible shopper. Less time cruising the parking lot means less time in which I can accidentally crush grandma under my front wheel.

Is it a simple matter of choosing the lesser of the two evils? I hate shopping. I hate cruising through parking lots even more.

[Hippy Hollow]

snailboy, your location is the great flatlands of East Texas, where y'all have big assed parking lots for miles. (I'm from Austin and even there we have quite a bit of space.) Here in the Northeast, though, lots are small and you pretty much have no choice. You park where there's space, whether it be next to the entrance or a mile back.

The real assholes are the shit-for-brained fuckstains who take all fucking day to back the fuck out of the spot. Here's how it works: Load your shit in the car. Buckle li'l Johnny into the carseat. Sit your ass down in the driver's seat. Now back the fuck out and fiddle with your McRib, or iPod, or radio, or cell phone when you're in the traffic jam on the way out. Trust me, you'll have time. Better yet, have your shit preset and ready to go when you get in car, or don't fucking worry about it.

My biggest pet peeve about living in New England, no doubt about it. Some fuckers get some perverse pleasure out of making others wait on their dumb asses. We're all in a fucking hurry, don'cha know!

[Hippy Hollow]

I do sympathize and have patience for people with kids who need to be put in carseats and old people. I'm talking about the jackass in a fur coat who decides it's time to inspect the car from all angles at 4 pm at a meter in Harvard Square.

[RaftPeople]

Nope, sorry, I'm not a particularly lazy person, nor am I a fatass who needs exercise, nor do I need a blue card hanging from my mirror, but if there's a spot close to the entrance, and they're obviously unloading their shopping cart and are gonna drive away in a minute or two, and especially if it's raining or snowing, I'm gonna sit there and wait a couple minutes for that spot. If that irks you, sitting there behind me, take a chill pill and a deep breath and reflect that in the larger scale of things, in which galaxies and universes are constantly being born and dying, this too shall pass. ;) You must learn patience, Grasshopper. Or as the man said, "Eh, where's the fire?"

And can you swear on this here Bible here that you yourself have never, ever parked your little booty right there in the aisle while Grandma unloaded her four cans of cranberry sauce, because that spot is right there by the entrance, dammit, and all you want is to run in for a gallon of milk, and why should you have to hike in from the boonies just for a gallon of milk, thus necessitating the guy in the car behind you having to take a chill pill, deep breath, reflect, etc.?

Uh huh. I thought so. ;)

If, as you say, you're not lazy, and you're not in a hurry, then what has it gained you?

[fessie]

There was a 15-cart pileup INSIDE Target yesterday - a woman using one of the store's scooters couldn't figure out how to make it go and got herself turned all cattywumpus in the middle of the aisle in the toy dept (where shoppers are generally NOT at their best to begin with). She blocked everyone from all four directions.
It got a little ugly.

I pity people who wait for MY space - I've got two little 'uns, who might, on any given day and completely without warning, decide to pitch an absolute fit when it's time to buckle up. Wrestling them to the chair sometimes takes a couple of minutes.

[Loach]

In every day life this isn't necessary, just park a little ways down the row. I have to confess I have done this during Xmas season though. Sometimes there is no parking until someone comes out. I will wait a little for someone to get their stuff in the car and leave. If someone is waiting for me I will try to move as quick as I can. What I will not do is hang behind someone who is walking out to their car and follow them like a vulture circling a corpse. I purposely walk down a parallel row and then cut across to my car when I get to it so I don't reward this kind of behavior.

[snailboy]

snailboy, your location is the great flatlands of East Texas, where y'all have big assed parking lots for miles. (I'm from Austin and even there we have quite a bit of space.) Here in the Northeast, though, lots are small and you pretty much have no choice. You park where there's space, whether it be next to the entrance or a mile back.

Having been to the great plains and the desert, I wouldn't call this the great flatlands. You must be right about the parking lots though. Except for really small ones, I've never seen parking lots completely filled. I don't know if it's the terrain, the fact that I live in a small city, or simply that I go shopping at the right times. At the busiest times, the Walmart parking lot might be half-filled. Nobody around here can make the excuse that there are no parking spaces available.

[Alma]

I just don't get why people have a compelling need to park crammed up so close to the door. Obviously, there are exceptions, such as the afore-mentioned blue card. However, the majority of car-parkers seem to have a weird compulsion to park as close to the door as possible, to the point that they'll drive 5 or 10 minutes until the perfect spot presents itself.
I have an aunt who, no kidding, will pray for a better parking space. I never did find out who is the patron saint of parking places.

[Lissa]

Nobody around here can make the excuse that there are no parking spaces available.

One of my favorite nearby malls has a a couple tiny little parking lots in front of the "anchor stores" and a five-story parking garage. It's actually kind of amusing to watch the cars endlessly circling those lots, since the garage is probably less than 100 feet from where they circle and has never been completely full, even during the busiest seasons.

[GuanoLad]

That's God's primary purpose for existence - supplying parking spaces. Not a lot of people know that.

[Caridwen]

I can see doing it when it's crowded, but not when it's not. The exception might be if I go to the mall at night alone. I do try to park as close to the store as possible.

The one and only time I worked in retail, I used to sit in my car and read during my break.
I'd always look up and have someone waiting for the space even when I wasn't sitting in the drivers seat. When I tried to wave that I wasn't leaving they'd give me a dirty look, and this was in a parking lot that was half full.

I don't get it unless it's really cold out. My husband is the other extreme. I need my hiking boots when I shop with him.

[Jackmannii]

What I will not do is hang behind someone who is walking out to their car and follow them like a vulture circling a corpse. I purposely walk down a parallel row and then cut across to my car when I get to it so I don't reward this kind of behavior.I do the same thing when followed by vehicular stalkers.

When I'm getting into my car with packages and someone stops to wait for the space, I won't dawdle (the way some folks procrastinate you wonder if they just can't bear to give up a good spot). On the other hand I won't just toss stuff into the back and peel out without getting my seat belt on and drink stowed, just so Mr. Impatient doesn't have to wait an extra 30 seconds.

[asterion]

I have an aunt who, no kidding, will pray for a better parking space. I never did find out who is the patron saint of parking places.Does the Vatican have an email address for these sorts of theological questions?

[ParentalAdvisory]

You must learn patience, Grasshopper. Or as the man said, "Eh, where's the fire?"

Well, the fire certainly isn't a row over and maybe back a little. Maybe you should get an umbrella. The amount of extra walking (THE HORROR!) is likely to be maybe 10% more of your journey. Patience indeed.

[jayjay]

I have an aunt who, no kidding, will pray for a better parking space. I never did find out who is the patron saint of parking places.

No saint, but there is a Goddess of Parking Spaces (http://www.templeofsquat.zoomshare.com/2.html)...

[JThunder]

I once told the story about being stuck for ten minutes in a Sam's Club parking aisle because some bozo decided to wait while another car was getting a jump start.

And yes, there were plenty of other parking spaces around.

[Alessan]

I've found that leaning on the horn for 90 seconds or so does the job.

[DrDeth]

Waiting is OK, but ONLY if traffic can get past you. If you are blocking traffic, then no waiting. If you're not blocking traffic, you can wait there for hours as far as I care.

[Klaatu]

Nope, sorry, I'm not a particularly lazy person, nor am I a fatass who needs exercise, nor do I need a blue card hanging from my mirror, but if there's a spot close to the entrance, and they're obviously unloading their shopping cart and are gonna drive away in a minute or two, and especially if it's raining or snowing, I'm gonna sit there and wait a couple minutes for that spot. If that irks you, sitting there behind me, take a chill pill and a deep breath and reflect that in the larger scale of things, in which galaxies and universes are constantly being born and dying, this too shall pass. ;) You must learn patience, Grasshopper. Or as the man said, "Eh, where's the fire?"

And can you swear on this here Bible here that you yourself have never, ever parked your little booty right there in the aisle while Grandma unloaded her four cans of cranberry sauce, because that spot is right there by the entrance, dammit, and all you want is to run in for a gallon of milk, and why should you have to hike in from the boonies just for a gallon of milk, thus necessitating the guy in the car behind you having to take a chill pill, deep breath, reflect, etc.?

Uh huh. I thought so. ;)

Yep, and you are one of those parking lot sense of entitlement morons that fucks up the program and irritates the shit out of people. But of course you don't care.

Move your ass and park five more spaces down, dipshit.

[mhendo]

Waiting is OK, but ONLY if traffic can get past you. If you are blocking traffic, then no waiting. If you're not blocking traffic, you can wait there for hours as far as I care.Exactly.

[TheLoadedDog]

Yep. Why do people have this terrible phobia of walking? I'm an inherently lazy person, yet I still enjoy walking. But being lazy isn't the opposite of being impatient. I am both. I don't like being held up by useless dipshits, and I enjoy overtaking the queue of dickheads queuing for "prestige" parking spaces on the first basement level near the shopping centre entrance, just spinnig the car down to Basement Level %, them walking back up the stairs (or catching the lift) and seeing the same people queued up, no closer to getting a spot.

Little things like a walk across a parking lot from a far-flung parking spot don't bother me at all. In fact it's a welcome chance to catch my breath between the humdrum of driving in traffic and the humdrum of dealing with the same arseholes in the mall.

[Klaatu]

Plus, when you do park a bit away from the front, you can get in your car and easily leave the lot, not having to run the gauntlet of blocking aisle dickheads.

[Cubsfan]

Nope, sorry, I'm not a particularly lazy person, nor am I a fatass who needs exercise, nor do I need a blue card hanging from my mirror, but if there's a spot close to the entrance, and they're obviously unloading their shopping cart and are gonna drive away in a minute or two, and especially if it's raining or snowing, I'm gonna sit there and wait a couple minutes for that spot. If that irks you, sitting there behind me, take a chill pill and a deep breath and reflect that in the larger scale of things, in which galaxies and universes are constantly being born and dying, this too shall pass. ;) You must learn patience, Grasshopper. Or as the man said, "Eh, where's the fire?"

And can you swear on this here Bible here that you yourself have never, ever parked your little booty right there in the aisle while Grandma unloaded her four cans of cranberry sauce, because that spot is right there by the entrance, dammit, and all you want is to run in for a gallon of milk, and why should you have to hike in from the boonies just for a gallon of milk, thus necessitating the guy in the car behind you having to take a chill pill, deep breath, reflect, etc.?

Uh huh. I thought so. ;)

Then you're a fucking inconsiderate dickhead.

[Mama Tiger]

I have an aunt who, no kidding, will pray for a better parking space. I never did find out who is the patron saint of parking places.

I have a retired nun friend who prays to St. Joseph for parking spaces. Of course, she's a Sister of St. Joseph, so he provides her with all kinds of stuff. I tried it myself once: Heading off to a Mother's Day Brunch and not fnding any spaces open anywhere for blocks around, I was teasing my son by suggesting that I should pray to St. Joseph, so I uttered one request to his scoffing, we turned the corner, and voilà! There was a parking space right outside the door of the restaurant we were going to.

So apparently he's my patron saint of parking spaces, too.

[scr4]

And can you swear on this here Bible here that you yourself have never, ever parked your little booty right there in the aisle while Grandma unloaded her four cans of cranberry sauce, because that spot is right there by the entrance, dammit, and all you want is to run in for a gallon of milk, and why should you have to hike in from the boonies just for a gallon of milk, thus necessitating the guy in the car behind you having to take a chill pill, deep breath, reflect, etc.?
Yes, I can. That's just rude.

[Alma]

I have a retired nun friend who prays to St. Joseph for parking spaces. Of course, she's a Sister of St. Joseph, so he provides her with all kinds of stuff.
That could very well be it. I wondered if it was St. Anthony (he helps with lost things, right?) but I do have another aunt who is an SSJ, so that makes sense. Sort of.

[Typo Negative]

I have never understood the need of some p....people to park so close. I have seen humans circle the lot for 20 minutes in order to park close. It shames me to say that one of these humans is genetically close to me.

I got two good legs. I don't really have to carry anything from the store, as they will lend the use of a cart. Walking an extra hundred feet, or evan a hundred yards isn't a hardship of any kind. Why all the fuss??

[Lissa]

I don't really have to carry anything from the store, as they will lend the use of a cart. Walking an extra hundred feet, or evan a hundred yards isn't a hardship of any kind. Why all the fuss??

Don't even get me started on the dipshits who can't walk an extra twenty feet to put said carts in the corral. Instead, they leave them crammed between the spaces, or just abandon them wherever, allowing a good gust of wind to roll them into other people's cars.

[Achren]

In every day life this isn't necessary, just park a little ways down the row. I have to confess I have done this during Xmas season though. Sometimes there is no parking until someone comes out. I will wait a little for someone to get their stuff in the car and leave. If someone is waiting for me I will try to move as quick as I can. What I will not do is hang behind someone who is walking out to their car and follow them like a vulture circling a corpse. I purposely walk down a parallel row and then cut across to my car when I get to it so I don't reward this kind of behavior.

About vehicular stalking - mostly I agree, except for my college, where often there is no parking available and the only way to get a spot is to catch someone leaving. But since everyone suffers equally, this has also turned into a good way to get a ride to your car in exchange for your spot. Comes in handy when you're parked 20 walking minutes from the school.

[Jaade]

About vehicular stalking - mostly I agree, except for my college, where often there is no parking available and the only way to get a spot is to catch someone leaving. But since everyone suffers equally, this has also turned into a good way to get a ride to your car in exchange for your spot. Comes in handy when you're parked 20 walking minutes from the school.

Georgia Southern had that same problem when I attended school there. We used to arrive 20 minutes before our classes started so we could follow other students to their cars to get any kind of parking place. We all had lots of parking tickets, too, from parking in dormitory parking or in spaces we "made" because of lack of parking.

The college had little to no parking for off-campus students and there was nowhere to park off-campus close enough to walk to school.

[Askia]

snailboy, your location is the great flatlands of East Texas, where y'all have big assed parking lots for miles. (I'm from Austin and even there we have quite a bit of space.) Here in the Northeast, though, lots are small and you pretty much have no choice. You park where there's space, whether it be next to the entrance or a mile back.

The real assholes are the shit-for-brained fuckstains who take all fucking day to back the fuck out of the spot. Here's how it works: Load your shit in the car. Buckle li'l Johnny into the carseat. Sit your ass down in the driver's seat. Now back the fuck out and fiddle with your McRib, or iPod, or radio, or cell phone when you're in the traffic jam on the way out. Trust me, you'll have time. Better yet, have your shit preset and ready to go when you get in car, or don't fucking worry about it.

My biggest pet peeve about living in New England, no doubt about it. Some fuckers get some perverse pleasure out of making others wait on their dumb asses. We're all in a fucking hurry, don'cha know! I am in awe of all the cussin', cousin. Dayum.

[tdn]

I can see doing it when it's crowded, but not when it's not. The exception might be if I go to the mall at night alone. I do try to park as close to the store as possible.
'The fuck? Are you serious? Are you suggesting that people be smart and considerate?

Blocking the aisle when there are spots available the next aisle over? That's both rude and lazy (unless you have special needs -- and not feeling like walking is not a special need). But in some lots (and even certain towns) blocking for a spot is the only option. If you don't do it, the person behind you will, and he's the one that will end up parking. I cite the small town of Edgartown, MA, in the height of summer. If you have to walk less than half a mile to your destination, the parking gods have smiled upon you.

[Mtgman]

I have an aunt who, no kidding, will pray for a better parking space. I never did find out who is the patron saint of parking places.
Me. No kidding. I have FANTASTIC luck with parking spaces. I rarely, VERY rarely, have to park more than 3-5 spaces back from the front of the row. I can't remember the last time I've had anything other than front row parking at our local grocery store. My wife hates it and cusses me up and down when I pull in and get front space parking but she, when she's alone with the kids, has to park in the back 40. Several co-workers have commented on it too. We'll be walking out together at the end of the day and I stop at my car and they keep hiking to the back of the row and ask me "how did you get that space?"

Cause I'm a parking god. Like Rob McKenna, but with a cooler power. Almost all the times my power has failed me were at this one Wal-Mart that we don't go to often. Pretty much anywhere else you can see my car from the door ninety-five times out of a hundred.

AND, I don't wait on people or follow them out. The spots are just open, waiting for me.

Enjoy,
Steven

[RTFirefly]

What I will not do is hang behind someone who is walking out to their car and follow them like a vulture circling a corpse. I purposely walk down a parallel row and then cut across to my car when I get to it so I don't reward this kind of behavior. I can understand discouraging this behavior when there are spaces to be had, just further out than one might like. But you seem to be talking about malls at Christmas when a space is available only right after someone's vacated it. In that case, what's so bad about their following you out?

I generally try to be diplomatic about it, and ask them if I can follow them, or give them a ride. But either way, what's wrong with it?

[OneCentStamp]

snailboy, your location is the great flatlands of East Texas, where y'all have big assed parking lots for miles. (I'm from Austin and even there we have quite a bit of space.) Here in the Northeast, though, lots are small and you pretty much have no choice. You park where there's space, whether it be next to the entrance or a mile back.

The real assholes are the shit-for-brained fuckstains who take all fucking day to back the fuck out of the spot. Here's how it works: Load your shit in the car. Buckle li'l Johnny into the carseat. Sit your ass down in the driver's seat. Now back the fuck out and fiddle with your McRib, or iPod, or radio, or cell phone when you're in the traffic jam on the way out. Trust me, you'll have time. Better yet, have your shit preset and ready to go when you get in car, or don't fucking worry about it.

My biggest pet peeve about living in New England, no doubt about it. Some fuckers get some perverse pleasure out of making others wait on their dumb asses. We're all in a fucking hurry, don'cha know!
Wow, a transplant Texan saying that Yankees need to get a move on. In other news: fire hydrant pees on dog. :D ;)

[Anaamika]

Another one who can swear that at least in the last 10 years I have never ever waited for a parking spot unless they were actively engaged in pulling out that minute, i.e., actually blocking me from proceeding anyway! But I will point out that I live in upstate NY. Yes, the parking lots get jammed full, but there's always more, across the street, or whatever.

However, do I really have a problem with people sitting in the car and fiddling with whatever? Nah, unless they're doing it on purpose. I am one of those people who 97% of the time is ready to go three seconds after I park my ass in the seat, but not everyone is like this.

[DrDeth]

I can understand discouraging this behavior when there are spaces to be had, just further out than one might like. But you seem to be talking about malls at Christmas when a space is available only right after someone's vacated it. In that case, what's so bad about their following you out?

I generally try to be diplomatic about it, and ask them if I can follow them, or give them a ride. But either way, what's wrong with it?

Don't do it if you're a guy and she's a woman. It looks creepy and stories have been told of rapists doing this.

Otherwise, it's Ok by me. Just don't block traffic.

[RTFirefly]

Georgia Southern had that same problem when I attended school there. We used to arrive 20 minutes before our classes started so we could follow other students to their cars to get any kind of parking place. We all had lots of parking tickets, too, from parking in dormitory parking or in spaces we "made" because of lack of parking.

The college had little to no parking for off-campus students and there was nowhere to park off-campus close enough to walk to school.Geez, I thought all of Statesboro was close enough to walk to school. :D

Or at least, that's how it seemed when my wife was briefly an instructor there, back in another lifetime.

[RTFirefly]

Don't do it if you're a guy and she's a woman. It looks creepy and stories have been told of rapists doing this.

Otherwise, it's Ok by me. Just don't block traffic.Roger on the 'not blocking traffic' part.

But on the other bit, we're not talking about some remote place, but a crowded parking lot. If she's turning and looking at me like she's afraid rather than annoyed, then I'll move on, but that hasn't happened yet.

[Merijeek]

Especially since people will intentionally move more slowly when they know someone is waiting for the space. I actually once saw a woman just sit motionless in her car for a while rather than surrender the space to the car waiting in the aisle.

When in Atlanta around the 4th of July the girlfriend and I decided to pick up some things at Ikea, get ourselves a cheap lunch (at Ikea), and then head back to Jackson.

Since we had to be back to Jackson by 5pm to pick up the dogs we decided to show up early. Naturally, we got there about half an hour before they opened so we had a primo parking spot.

So, shopping done, we wheel out two huge-ass carts of furniture. One woman stops her car in the intersection of two aisles and waits for us to load our stuff in. There was a lot, it was going to take a while, and it was going to take some creative packing to get everything in well.

Still, she waits. We've been here for a good five minutes and she's still blocking traffic.

Then we pushed our carts into the corral and went to get ourselves a nice, economical lunch.

(waves finger in angry bitch's direction)

-Joe

[Mama Tiger]

When in Atlanta around the 4th of July the girlfriend and I decided to pick up some things at Ikea, get ourselves a cheap lunch (at Ikea), and then head back to Jackson.

Since we had to be back to Jackson by 5pm to pick up the dogs we decided to show up early. Naturally, we got there about half an hour before they opened so we had a primo parking spot.

So, shopping done, we wheel out two huge-ass carts of furniture. One woman stops her car in the intersection of two aisles and waits for us to load our stuff in. There was a lot, it was going to take a while, and it was going to take some creative packing to get everything in well.

Still, she waits. We've been here for a good five minutes and she's still blocking traffic.

Then we pushed our carts into the corral and went to get ourselves a nice, economical lunch.

(waves finger in angry bitch's direction)

-Joe

Would it have been so unreasonable for one of you to go up to her when you were loading your car and let her know you weren't going to be leaving your space? It seems to me that while yes, she was discourteous to block the aisles, you were also pretty damn discourteous to her, too, by not warning her all her waiting would be in vain. If I know I'm not going to be pulling out after putting stuff in my car, I tell anyone waiting for my spot, and I've had people tell me the same thing. It's called treating other people nicely. You might try it some time.

[Klaatu]

Would it have been so unreasonable for one of you to go up to her when you were loading your car and let her know you weren't going to be leaving your space? It seems to me that while yes, she was discourteous to block the aisles, you were also pretty damn discourteous to her, too, by not warning her all her waiting would be in vain. If I know I'm not going to be pulling out after putting stuff in my car, I tell anyone waiting for my spot, and I've had people tell me the same thing. It's called treating other people nicely. You might try it some time.

Nope. If she is the kind of rude idiot who blocks traffic while waiting for people to load fucking furniture, she deserves a little smackdown.

[Gangster Octopus]

Nope. If she is the kind of rude idiot who blocks traffic while waiting for people to load fucking furniture, she deserves a little smackdown.

And so do, apprently all the people waiting behind her.

[lizardling]

I pray to the traffic gods (plural) who make it possible for me to get from my place in West Seattle all the way to the eastside in about 20 minutes instead of the 30-40 that it seems to take everyone else. :D It seems to work for me, for the most part. (And no, I don't drive like a demon)

That said, ooching along behind someone walking out to their car has always struck me as vaguely impolite. I'm aware that I have weird standards, but it bothers me when someone else does that, so I try not to do it myself. If possible, I'll do a quick roundabout of the row.

[snailboy]

When in Atlanta around the 4th of July the girlfriend and I decided to pick up some things at Ikea, get ourselves a cheap lunch (at Ikea), and then head back to Jackson.

Since we had to be back to Jackson by 5pm to pick up the dogs we decided to show up early. Naturally, we got there about half an hour before they opened so we had a primo parking spot.

So, shopping done, we wheel out two huge-ass carts of furniture. One woman stops her car in the intersection of two aisles and waits for us to load our stuff in. There was a lot, it was going to take a while, and it was going to take some creative packing to get everything in well.

Still, she waits. We've been here for a good five minutes and she's still blocking traffic.

Then we pushed our carts into the corral and went to get ourselves a nice, economical lunch.

(waves finger in angry bitch's direction)

-Joe

I think it might be worth it to be one of those people waiting behind her just to see that and say, "Ah hah, bitch!"

[CanvasShoes]

I'm not lazy, and I don't mind walking. What I mind is walking in the COLD. It's been unseasonably cold for November here. However, while I might wait a few moments for someone who is already pulling out, or who is in the vehicle and has obviously started it. To me, at least with how crowded parking lots here always are (doesn't seem to matter what time of day), it's really rude. Not to mention, it's a lot faster and more convenient for the waitee to pull around and find another spot.

You (collective you, not pointing out anyone in this thread) wouldn't just be holding up one person, you'd be clogging up the whole enchilada within just a minute or two.

[Hippy Hollow]

Wow, a transplant Texan saying that Yankees need to get a move on. In other news: fire hydrant pees on dog. :D ;)
Yep. I eat Dunkin Donuts and honk my horn now. It's time for me to move back home!

[Morgyn]

I have an aunt who, no kidding, will pray for a better parking space. I never did find out who is the patron saint of parking places.Asphalta, eidolon of Road Without Potholes and Convenient Parking Spots.

[CanvasShoes]

PS, to those wondering why someone would circle the parking lot for several minutes instead of just parking out in the North 40. For me, it's what I mentioned before. The cold....the painful skin burning, cheek frostbiting COLD.

When it's already 10 below, and the windchill is pushing the temp closer to minus 40 (springtime in AK 40 below and all that rot), BELIEVE you me, every step closer to the entrance counts and counts big.

Sitting in a nice warm vehicle, even if you have to wait longer to get, yes even just one item, is so far preferable to walking that far in the cold, I don't have words. In the case of cold, (have I mentioned how much I hate cold? I know, I know... I'm a rotten excuse for an Alaskan :D), I've got all the patience in the world for circling and waiting.

[OneCentStamp]

And so do, apprently all the people waiting behind her.
Unless, as mentioned upthread, they can't get around her. :mad: <-- her, not you

[Frylock]

I would wait for several minutes if the parking lot is full to capacity or near-capacity. I can't see why anyone would wait for that long if there are other parking places available.

-FrL-

[Trunk]

I don't really want to get all "urban" here, but this stuff just weighs on me every year that Consumer Season rolls around. If they're going to splatter the TV with Black Friday stories, then I get my equal time.

I know there are polite ways and impolite ways to behave in a car, but when you are one of the people who are getting into your car on the same day as everyone else, driving the same streets as everyone else, and going to the same malls and consumption settings as everyone else. . .that behavior is just part of the culture.

It's not the "ugly side" of the culture that we hope we could avoid if it were just for a couple fewer assholes. It is the culture.

There are still places where you can leave your house on foot, buy a cup a coffee from a guy you know, and stroll down a street full of shops owned by people you know. Pick up some unique gifts in nice packages. I know, I live in such a place.

Most times I don't care about these rants, or I join right in, but this time of year just really disgusts me. People CHOOSE to live in a vehicle-driven culture, and then bitch about that very culture that makes their way of life possible.

It's really just all the holiday crap that's got me hot. OK, so we spent the weekend with family, and this one guy in the extended clan has to be 330 pounds. Chows all day Thursday. Chows a TON of turkey and stuffing and pie.

What's he do on Friday? Gets up at 5:00 AM to drive to a mall to get some shitty camera for his thankless kid. Meanwhile, I'm sleeping in on a day off, and I get up, walk the dog for 30 minutes, and then take a 6 mile jog, and then go bowling for 90 minutes.

While I'm having a beer watching football on Friday after bowling, the miserable fuck has the gall to say to me how nice it must be to be able to drink beer and not put on weight.

Sorry to bah humbug you, but you don't eat right. You don't sleep right. You don't exercise. And you're teaching your kid to act the same way. This is a guy who had to borrow a considerable amount of money from my father-in-law for a down payment on a second house.

Just consume, consume, consume big man. Beyond your health, beyond your means, beyond any reasonable possibility of enjoying any of it.

I know I sound like Scrooge, but I'm not.

There's some great stuff about this season. For the last several weeks, I've been walking my dog down the "Miracle Block" while they're getting ready. This is a block of 34th St. in Baltimore where ALL the neighbors decorate their houses and their street. They're out there chatting, saying "hi", putting up new stuff, working outdoors, being neighborly, doing shit together as a community.

While some of these folks have pretty questionable taste (big grinch snow globes, and disney characters, e.g.), a lot of these people make their own decorations. You just can't purchase a sculpture of 8 crabs pulling a sleigh adorned with cans of Old Bay at "Pier One Imports", not to mention a hubcap Christmas tree. A lot of them decorate their houses the same way as their neighbor's house. . .not in comptetition to outdo the next guy, but actually working together to make THE COMMUNITY look nice.

What do I see as the flip side of it? People sprinting to be first in line for a ticket for one of 10 discounted TVs in a store of a million products? Getting shot over a Play Station that they can get for cheaper a WEEK later?

So, to sum up: yeah, people act like idiots in parking lots, but you do have a choice.

[Merijeek]

Would it have been so unreasonable for one of you to go up to her when you were loading your car and let her know you weren't going to be leaving your space? It seems to me that while yes, she was discourteous to block the aisles, you were also pretty damn discourteous to her, too, by not warning her all her waiting would be in vain. If I know I'm not going to be pulling out after putting stuff in my car, I tell anyone waiting for my spot, and I've had people tell me the same thing. It's called treating other people nicely. You might try it some time.

Treating someone "nicely" while she happily shafts a dozen other people? No thanks. She can go fuck herself - she's doing it to others, after all. Goose, pot, gander, kettle, etc.

-Joe, never claimed to be nice

[Slithy Tove]

I suppose tha, while obvious, the irony of such selfish behavior during the Christmas shopping season is not actually inappropriate, since, if there was no room at the inn, there would have been an overflow in the stable as well. As much as we'd like to imagine the gentle animals surrendering their manger and foraging elsewhere for food, more likely Joseph had to kick them and shout the Aramaic for "fuck off!"

[Frylock]

Treating someone "nicely" while she happily shafts a dozen other people? No thanks. She can go fuck herself - she's doing it to others, after all. Goose, pot, gander, kettle, etc.


So... do it for the sake of all those people stuck behind her.

With the above post, you indicate your intention to participate in the shafting of dozens of people initiated by th lady in question.

-FrL-

[Qadgop the Mercotan]

Treating someone "nicely" while she happily shafts a dozen other people? No thanks.
One measure of whether or not I am living closer to my ideals is whether or not I am treating people the way I would like to be treated.

I'm happier when I do that, even when it means I'm being polite to an asshole.

I wish I managed to do it more often. But I'm better at it than I once was.

[MovieMogul]

Treating someone "nicely" while she happily shafts a dozen other people? No thanks. She can go fuck herself - she's doing it to others, after all. Goose, pot, gander, kettle, etc.

-Joe, never claimed to be niceWow, the Golden Rule in Bizarro World. "Since she would do unto others so rudely, she would obviously like me to do unto her the same way. Take that!" :rolleyes:

[Kimstu]

You just can't purchase a sculpture of 8 crabs pulling a sleigh adorned with cans of Old Bay at "Pier One Imports", not to mention a hubcap Christmas tree.


Photos!! I want photos!!

[Trunk]

Photos!! I want photos!!

Here's (http://www.examiner.com/a-421610~34th_Street_blazes_with_Miracle_of_Lights.html) an article that has a photo of the tree.

The street used to have a web site that seems to be down now.

more photos. . .

http://community.webshots.com/album/231687296huZtkf

http://mollygoatwax.typepad.com/photos/baltimore/jimtree.html

The crab sleigh might be new. I can't find a photo of it.