# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 10:24pm 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/955513/162 "2021-12-15T22:24:00Z")
**strong text** > [@solost](#): > > Or if you’re not familiar with the term, what would you guess it to mean? > > My wife and I were in the car with our younger son who was driving on his learner’s permit, when my wife told him to ‘granny park’. I asked her what that was, having never heard the term in my life. She answered: **as everyone knows but apparently you,** it’s when you pull into a parking spot backwards so you can drive right out of it without backing up when you leave (or, when there are two empty back to back spots, driving through to the opposite one so you’re facing out). > > Spoiler info in case anybody who doesn’t know wants to take a guess. Your wife actually speaks to you in that disrespectful tone? In any event, I park like that all the time. I HATE backing blind into traffic, even with a camera. However I’d never heard the term “grannie parking” before but I have heard “that’s such a man thing”. ---
**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 15, 2021, 10:40pm 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/955513/163 "2021-12-15T22:40:10Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > Your wife actually speaks to you in that disrespectful tone? She was just teasing. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2021, 1:00pm 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/955513/164 "2021-12-17T13:00:20Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Side-topic: For parallel parking, whatever became of curbscrapers? Back in the before-times, cars all had curbscrapers. I’m not sure exactly what you man by “before-times”. At first, I thought you meant pre-COVID, but I’ve been driving in a place where nearly all parking is parallel parking since the 1980s - and curbscrapers have never been common. ---
**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 17, 2021, 1:05pm 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/955513/165 "2021-12-17T13:05:48Z")
I believe the before-times ended with the demise of whitewall tires in the 1970s. Even then, I believe curb scrappers were just an after market accessory like fuzzy dice. ---
**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 17, 2021, 2:42pm 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/955513/166 "2021-12-17T14:42:26Z")
Old timer but who is ignorant of curb feelers here. How do they work? Do they just make a scraping noise? Is it loud enough to hear? Were they supposed to prevent scuffing of those giant-ass white walls? As a kid, I always figured contacting the curb closed a circuit and lit a light on the dash. I guess I was an engineer even then. ---
**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 17, 2021, 3:12pm 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/955513/167 "2021-12-17T15:12:51Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > How do they work? Do they just make a scraping noise? Is it loud enough to hear? > > Were they supposed to prevent scuffing of those giant-ass white walls? They just make a “nails on a blackboard” sound that’s impossible to miss. Wheels back then often had protruding hubcaps that could also be damaged by curbs whose heights weren’t as standardized as they are today. ---
**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 18, 2021, 3:56am 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/955513/168 "2021-12-18T03:56:15Z")
And as the feelers were attached to the metal of the vehicle the vibrations transmitted nicely into the interior. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 2:00am 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/955513/169 "2021-12-20T02:00:58Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > > How do they work? Do they just make a scraping noise? Is it loud enough to hear? > > > > Were they supposed to prevent scuffing of those giant-ass white walls? > > They just make a “nails on a blackboard” sound that’s impossible to miss. Wheels back then often had protruding hubcaps that could also be damaged by curbs whose heights weren’t as standardized as they are today. Todays alloy wheels can get severely damaged scraping against curbs. Those feeler dodads worked great. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:47am 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/955513/170 "2021-12-20T09:47:51Z")
OK, alright. ( Full instigator mode on ) After following this ever elongated thread with interest I just can’t ignore the enormous brightly colored elephant in the room…snicker snicker. The OP’s poster desiring to keep the peace notwithstanding, I’m eager to hear said OP poster’s wife’s view/reaction to 167 posts, several from Michigan, that said posters have never heard of the term “granny parking”. “Everyone knows” indeed. 😁 ---
**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 20, 2021, 12:44pm 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/955513/171 "2021-12-20T12:44:28Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > The OP’s poster desiring to keep the peace notwithstanding, I’m eager to hear said OP poster’s wife’s view/reaction to 167 posts, several from Michigan, that said posters have never heard of the term “granny parking”. “Everyone knows” indeed. What are you talking about, BrickBat? I thought this was a thread about curb feelers 😉 ---
**Author:** ![phxjcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 7:01pm 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/955513/172 "2021-12-28T19:01:39Z")
I always thought it was “Cop parking”. And was asked if I was a cop when I drove a white Crown Vic…and yes I backed in ALWAYS at Starbucks because those caffeine deprived souls are B. S. crazy (\<\<==scientific term) before they get their coffee for themselves and their masses of co-dependents that they are texting on their phone while driving through the S’bucks parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 7:07pm 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/955513/173 "2021-12-28T19:07:48Z")
I started parking that way at school decades ago because it was so much easier to get out when students are all walking by. Since I’m usually one of the first in the parking lot, it is no problem to take a wide looping turn until I can reverse into my spot against the wall. Since I started doing it a number of other teachers have as well. And I’ve NEVER heard the term “granny parking” until this thread. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 7:29pm 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/955513/174 "2021-12-28T19:29:56Z")
One place I really appreciate back-in parking is at a large concert or other event where everybody is scrambling to get out of the jam-packed parking lot at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 1:32am 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/955513/175 "2021-12-29T01:32:44Z")
I’ve never heard the term ‘granny parking’. Roads and car parks tend to be smaller in the UK, so it’s often desirable to park facing out\* to not give yourself a headache later. This way of parking has no name that I am aware of though. \* I’m currently living on a street that has the wonderful combination of being a 15 degree incline and also a main city artery during rush hour. When I get home after work, I go into the driveway forwards because backing in while the road is busy would be a nightmare. Then, last thing before I go to bed, when the road is finally quiet, I go out and “granny park” it. Thankfully I’m just staying there for a few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 9:10am 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/955513/176 "2021-12-29T09:10:23Z")
English isn’t my native tongue, so my saying that I have never heard the term “granny parking” will not count for much, but I haven’t. I back into parking spots whenever possible, it’s so much easier to get out, and with routine, no more difficult than going in nose first. Times I deem it not possible, is when there is much traffic in the parking lot or diagonal parking in an one-way street. I will always pull through whenever possible, even when it means I will have to walk a longer distance. ---
**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 29, 2021, 10:08am 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/955513/177 "2021-12-29T10:08:46Z")
This describes my practice almost perfectly, except I wouldn’t quite agree with, “and with routine, (backing in is) no more difficult than going in nose first”. I’ve practiced backing in hundreds of times and have gotten much better at it. But nosing in is generally easier But I still back in. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 3:40pm 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/955513/178 "2021-12-29T15:40:16Z")
Semi trailer trucks always back in to load/unload. When I worked in a warehouse, I’d often see even experienced drivers sawing back and forth to line the trailer up with the door. Then when it came time to leave, they drive right out. It occurred to me that if businesses would paint a line out from the door, and curve it around so it’s parallel to the door, a driver could set his rear tires on the line and just follow it around to the door. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 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/955513/179 "2021-12-29T16:24:32Z")
In my town “granny parking” is **required** on the main drag for a few blocks. I mean legally required - all the parking spots on both sides of the road are angled backwards. Signs tell you to pull ahead of the spot and back into it. The only way to park head first would be to cut across the other lane and make a 140° left turn. [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=8)