# Are you familiar with the term ‘granny parking’ and if so, how would you define it? (Upd name: Batman parking) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513 "2021-12-04T19:40:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/141 "2021-12-08T16:20:43Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I know you’re rural now, but did you do much parking with concrete curbs? That’s what they were useful for. I didn’t do any parking at all in the 50’s, I was born in '51. By the time I started driving, it was early 70’s; 60’s cars were still very common on the roads, but 50’s cars less so, though there were some of them around. We were rural. But we went into New York City with some frequency; as well as other places which had parallel parking. My parents didn’t drive into Manhattan – we left the car at the train station and took a train in – but we walked around the place a lot. The things in the picture look to me like they’d have been quite noticeable to pedestrians walking next to the car. I don’t remember seeing them there, or on cars in Poughkeepsie, or on cars in the 60’s in Springfield Massachusetts (when there would still have been significant numbers of 50’s cars on the road). > [@carrps](#): > > we’ve been binging old Raymond Burr Perry Mason shows, and even in the 60s, cars were giNORmous. Do you see curb feelers on any of the cars on the shows? – yes, there was a stretch of time when manufacturers seemed to be competing on the basis of ‘our car is bigger than your old car! And has bigger fins!’ ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/142 "2021-12-08T16:24:00Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t remember seeing them there, or on cars in Poughkeepsie, or on cars in the 60’s in Springfield Massachusetts (when there would still have been significant numbers of 50’s cars on the road). I don’t remember them being visible much at all. You’d have to be looking for them to notice them. Once a car was parked, the feeler would be below curb height and even less noticeable. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Do you see curb feelers on any of the cars on the shows? I hadn’t paid attention to that yet (mostly flabbergasted by the ubiquity of cigarettes – that really caught my attention), but I’ll look! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/143 "2021-12-08T16:36:48Z")
Can we officially rename the parking style (and the thread) as Batman Parking? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/144 "2021-12-08T16:40:29Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Can we officially rename the parking style (and the thread) as Batman Parking?.. As the OP of this thread, I heartily endorse this notion. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/145 "2021-12-08T18:11:56Z")
Done. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/146 "2021-12-08T18:13:46Z")
Haha, I was just sorta kidding. You mods are on the ball! ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/147 "2021-12-10T18:28:13Z")
I’m referring to people who back in, get in the car, start it, and don’t pull forward within a minute or two. If I’m parked across from them, for example, I have no idea if they are in gear, preparing to pull out, or what. Their lights are on, so I’m reluctant to pull/back out in their path. If I do go ahead and pull out, they usually beep at me because, of course, that’s the moment that THEY intended to pull forward. People are welcome to sit in their cars all day. I just find it a bit annoying when I have no clue what they are planning on doing. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/148 "2021-12-10T23:42:25Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > People are welcome to sit in their cars all day. I just find it a bit annoying when I have no clue what they are planning on doing. 9 times out of 10, I’m waiting for my wife, who just had to pop into the other store for “one minute.” ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/149 "2021-12-11T02:41:59Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > People are welcome to sit in their cars all day. I just find it a bit annoying when I have no clue what they are planning on doing. Agreed, and that applies to all drivers regardless of what direction they’re parked. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/151 "2021-12-15T08:47:31Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I don’t remember them being visible much at all. You’d have to be looking for them to notice them. Once a car was parked, the feeler would be below curb height and even less noticeable. The photos on Google make them look really noticeable. Not only have I never seen one in real life, I would swear I never saw one on tv either. And my wife watches so much b&w tv like the Untouchables, I pick up a lot by osmosis. Were they only on the right sides of cars? > [@Projammer](#): > > Exactly that. In the early days of vehicles and traffic lights it wasn’t uncommon for the combination of vehicle design and light placement to result in not being able to see the light without leaning far forward. Thus the need for traffic light viewers attached to the windshield or dash. I’m having a hard time picturing this. The only thing I can guess at is the first electric traffic signals maybe were on your side of the intersection, rather than across the intersection. I’ve seen that for the really old signals when they were arms that folded out and in with stop and go written on them, rather than lights. Am I close? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/152 "2021-12-15T09:27:49Z")
I’ve never heard “granny parking” before. I don’t always take a pull-through; sometimes I know that I’ll be loading the trunk. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/153 "2021-12-15T09:30:35Z")
Dude, _I_ often can’t see the light if I’m the first car; I’m taller than most, eh. I used to love my sunroof because I could often see the traffic light thru it. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/154 "2021-12-15T09:54:49Z")
I’m 5’10" and usually drive sedans and I don’t have problems. Intersections here(NY) are often 4 or more lanes so lights are easier to see. If you don’t mind me asking, do you drive a really low slung car and you are 6’5"? Are you okay if you’re a couple cars back in the line? Is it worse doing left turns where yo are partway into the intersection? Sorry for all the questions, this is absolutely the first time I have ever heard that this was a problem for some people. And I’ve certainly never seen the gizmo that looks up at lights. I wonder why they died out if they were useful. ETA: I also have never heard of granny parking and in the US, I’ve lived from the northeast to the southwest. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/155 "2021-12-15T12:05:05Z")
I am 6’4” and I drive a Scion xB. Yes; I can usually see the lights okay if I am not first in line at the light. And yes, some intersections are large enough that it isn’t a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/156 "2021-12-15T16:11:13Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > I’m having a hard time picturing this. The only thing I can guess at is the first electric traffic signals maybe were on your side of the intersection, rather than across the intersection. I’ve seen that for the really old signals when they were arms that folded out and in with stop and go written on them, rather than lights. Am I close? That’s part of it. Windshields tended to be more vertical at the time so the roof went further forward. Sometimes it was a matter of narrower streets. And then there were the ever popular sun visors. [![](https://i.imgur.com/hcHTSRF.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/hcHTSRF.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/157 "2021-12-15T16:47:49Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > _I_ often can’t see the light if I’m the first car; I’m taller than most, eh. I’m shorter than most, and I sometimes can’t see it if I’m in the first car. I definitely can’t see it if I’ve pulled up into the intersection while waiting to make a left turn (as you’re supposed to do in New York State. Though it occurs to me that I don’t know about the city, which has to some extent different traffic laws.) > [@mordecaiB](#): > > I’m 5’10" and usually drive sedans and I don’t have problems. 5’10" is I think the approximate height for which most of the human-made world is designed, at least in the USA. You may not realize the extent to which short and tall people both find that that world doesn’t fit well; and not only when it comes to cars. – yes, I can see the lights fine if further back; yes, at some intersections it’s not a problem even if I’m the first car. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/158 "2021-12-15T16:52:40Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > You may not realize the extent to which short and tall people both find that that world doesn’t fit well; and not only when it comes to cars. Dear Og, YES! I could go on and on… ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/159 "2021-12-15T17:41:42Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > The photos on Google make them look really noticeable. Not only have I never seen one in real life, I would swear I never saw one on tv either. And my wife watches so much b&w tv like the Untouchables, I pick up a lot by osmosis. Were they only on the right sides of cars? I honestly don’t remember. I was a little kid and not especially interested in cars, but my memory says they were only on the right. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/160 "2021-12-15T17:57:07Z")
I only remember feelers because as a bored kid sitting on a curb the closest thing to fun was twanging the things. The rebound on them was such that you could really rap your knuckles if you weren’t careful. As for traffic lights only on the near-side and out of sight of the first car waiting, that’s all they have in Casablanca. Your only clue that the light turned green was the cars honking behind you. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513/161 "2021-12-15T20:11:07Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I am 6’4” and I drive a Scion xB. > > Yes; I can usually see the lights okay if I am not first in line at the light. And yes, some intersections are large enough that it isn’t a problem. Thanks, that explanation helps. > [@Projammer](#): > > Windshields tended to be more vertical at the time so the roof went further forward… And then there were the ever popular sun visors. I never even thought of these. I don’t think I’ve seen a vertical windscreen or the visor contraption outside of movies or car shows. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > 5’10" is I think the approximate height for which most of the human-made world is designed, at least in the USA. Yep, lucky me! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-familiar-with-the-term-granny-parking-and-if-so-how-would-you-define-it-upd-name-batman-parking/955513.md?page=9)