# Can I park anywhere I want in a shopping center parking lot? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2008, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101 "2008-01-11T07:28:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/41 "2008-01-13T23:45:46Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Just as it’s their patron’s choice to ignore these discriminatory signs. [/QUOTE] And said owner would be perfectly justified in having their cars towed. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/42 "2008-01-13T23:55:58Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] And said owner would be perfectly justified in having their cars towed. [/QUOTE] Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/43 "2008-01-14T14:14:39Z")
[QUOTE=Balthisar] **Loach** , we know that this isn’t you, but you see why cops have bad reputations? Why don’t you go out and save a cat from a tree, get some press for it, and try to square things off for your profession? 😉 [/QUOTE] I hate cats. ---
**Author:** ![THespos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/44 "2008-01-14T16:11:19Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] And said owner would be perfectly justified in having their cars towed. [/QUOTE] My guess is that most retailers that have these spots would be exceptionally dumb if they did this. If they towed a car and it turned out to be a mistake, they’d have some heavy-duty backlash on their hands in terms of PR. FWIW, I think retailers ought to re-think some of these special spots. Often (near me), all spaces in a lot can be filled and you end up with a bunch of people circling the lot, eyeing the “Expectant Mother,” “Employee of the Month,” “Carside to Go Only” and other such spots. There may not be enough spaces in total to satisfy the regular drivers after the usual allocation to the handicapped. (Yes, I did take an Expectant Mother spot the other day. I swear there were no other spaces available. And technically, my pregnant wife was meeting me at the store and coming home with me…) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/45 "2008-01-14T16:39:35Z")
We had an interesting situation here recently with two adjacent strip malls that “share” a parking lot. People who were patronizing a sandwich shop in strip mall “A” came out to find their cars ticketed or towed because they were parked in the parking area for strip mall “B”. There’s really no clear delineation between the different sections of the parking lot other than a couple of small “Parking for Strip Mall B Customers Only” signs. Folks complained and there was a write-up in the local paper about it, but basically the owners of strip mall “B” were perfectly within their rights to have the cars ticketed or towed when people parked there to go to strip mall “A”. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/46 "2008-01-14T23:06:11Z")
Perhaps so. But I do think that it’s _rude_ to use said parking spots. The store owners are offering this as a courtesy, to gain business. I don’t see it as any more “discrimination” than express lanes. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/47 "2008-01-15T00:21:36Z")
There is a very popular hole in the wall burger place called the Squeeze Inn that has very limited parking, although there is plenty of street parking half a block away. ANyway there are about three other businesses that share the general parking lot area with designated parking. The burger place has many prominent signs that say if you park in the other businesses spots you will be towed. If they didn’t there would be no parking for these places at all. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/48 "2008-01-15T08:22:23Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] I don’t see it as any more “discrimination” than express lanes. [/QUOTE] Because anyone can theoretically (and even demonstrably) make use of the express lanes, given the proper condition (ie having enough passengers). Whereas pregnancy parking is inherently discriminatory against at least half the population, that being males, who can never become pregnant. Pregnant mothers, who are pregnant by choice, do not deserve special rights/privileges that others do not. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/49 "2008-01-15T11:58:34Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Pregnant mothers, who are pregnant by choice, do not deserve special rights/privileges that others do not. [/QUOTE] Perhaps not, but the shop owner has the right to provide a class of person with improved service, if he believes it is good business practice. Even if you aren’t in that class. Of course, this is subject to federal laws against discrimination, and pregnancy parking doesn’t violate that. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/50 "2008-01-15T21:41:01Z")
[QUOTE=Sprockets] Grrr. How about the “mothers and expectant mothers” spots, which are right near the door? That really pissed me off the other day, so I rationalized that I am a mother of several cats and I have expectations of one sort or another, and I parked there. Guess what? Nothing bad happened. [/QUOTE] Are there really any parking spots that say “Mothers and expectant mothers,” or do they just say “expectant mothers” or “pregnant women” or the like? I’d be irritated too by a sign that included just any old mother, because I can’t understand the reasoning – is it that mothers might be hauling small children around and thus need a parking space closer to the building? If so, what about all the fathers hauling small children around? I did that a lot when my kids were babies, and it’s no picnic. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/51 "2008-01-15T23:33:03Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Because anyone can theoretically (and even demonstrably) make use of the express lanes, given the proper condition (ie having enough passengers). Whereas pregnancy parking is inherently discriminatory against at least half the population, that being males, who can never become pregnant. Pregnant mothers, who are pregnant by choice, do not deserve special rights/privileges that others do not. [/QUOTE] But then, someone who is disabled can make use of certain spots, which others can not. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/52 "2008-01-16T05:59:38Z")
I don’t see how pregnant mother spots are discriminating against the guys. Surely someone got the mothers pregnant. Go shopping w/ your mate, dudes! Krogers has a special spot for the pharmacy pick-up window on the external wall of the store. It never failed that I would pull into the full lot in the evening and see all the spaces near the door taken, except for that one. So I’d park there. I got yelled at once by some irritated woman who hadn’t thought of it before I did and was hauling her considerable mass\* from pretty far back. According to her, I was selfish, lazy, and a jerk (well, to put it less vulgar). Then she asked me, “Can’t you read?” and pointed at the sign that says very clearly PHARMACY WINDOW PICK-UP ONLY. Very calmly I pointed to the pharmacy window that had it’s shade drawn down and a very large sign in the window that said CLOSED. “Can’t you?” was my mellow reply as I made my way for the entrance. Was I wrong to park there when the window was closed? And why didn’t anyone else, I wonder? - No offense intended to the general rotund population. I’m not the mean and I’ve got a bit extra flesh myself. But I could tell by her huffing and puffing, she could have appreciated that spot as much as I did. I do hope the lightbulb went on for her after our brief encounter. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/53 "2008-01-16T06:01:37Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] But then, someone who is disabled can make use of certain spots, which others can not. [/QUOTE] Uh-huh, and being pregnant is not a disability. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/54 "2008-01-16T06:04:33Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Uh-huh, and being pregnant is not a disability. [/QUOTE] It sure felt like one to me. ☹😉 ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/55 "2008-01-16T06:35:44Z")
[QUOTE=Brown Eyed Girl] It sure felt like one to me. ☹😉 [/QUOTE] That’s fine; I don’t doubt you did. But we all undoubtedly have our moments where we feel we have a “disability” whether physically or emotionally – that doesn’t mean we should all have reserved parking spots. If being pregnant really is that much of a hard ache, then I wouldn’t object to one obtaining a handicapped sticker and parking in the spots actually legally designated for such a purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Mesquite-oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/56 "2008-01-16T06:36:33Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Uh-huh, and being pregnant is not a disability. [/QUOTE] [It sure can be!](http://www.princeton.edu/hr/ben/maternty.htm) That is how my wife got four months off from work. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/57 "2008-01-16T09:15:53Z")
[QUOTE=Mesquite-oh] [It sure can be!](http://www.princeton.edu/hr/ben/maternty.htm) That is how my wife got four months off from work. [/QUOTE] Yes, as I said in the post above yours. However, pregnancy is not inherently a disability. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/58 "2008-01-16T13:00:54Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] However, pregnancy is not inherently a disability. [/QUOTE] Which is why they don’t get to use handicapped parking. The shopkeeper STILL has the right to offer pregnant women a special service if he feels it’s good for business. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/59 "2008-01-16T13:08:52Z")
[QUOTE=Brown Eyed Girl] It sure felt like one to me. [/QUOTE] Aside from the parking spot, how do you get around in the store? I’m not talking a tiny little dollar store, but a normal sized supermarket. You’ll almost always put more miles on your feet inside than outside. What’s the difference? Reminds me of the people that sit and lets their engines idle for several minutes while waiting for a car to leave so that they can park closer – four spots closer! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/60 "2008-01-16T15:31:32Z")
[QUOTE=chorpler] Are there really any parking spots that say “Mothers and expectant mothers,” or do they just say “expectant mothers” or “pregnant women” or the like? [/QUOTE] I think I’ve seen signs that say “parking for new and expectant mothers.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101.md?page=4)