# 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:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/61 "2008-01-16T15:49:40Z")
Here’s a bill from the Mississippi House of Representatives that would have created placards (like the ones for handicapped parking spaces) for expectant mothers, and imposed fines and the like for parking in those spaces: [http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2004/pdf/HB/1300-1399/HB1381IN.pdf](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2004/pdf/HB/1300-1399/HB1381IN.pdf) The bill died in committee. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/62 "2008-01-16T16:01:32Z")
> [@](#): > > 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? Whether pregnancy or disability, the differences may be that (a) you have that much more stamina for completing your tasks inside the store because you were able to park near the door, and (b) the store is not full of inattentive people propelling giant explosive boxes in front of you at high speed. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/63 "2008-01-16T16:19:58Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] Whether pregnancy or disability, the differences may be that (a) you have that much more stamina for completing your tasks inside the store because you were able to park near the door, and (b) the store is not full of inattentive people propelling giant explosive boxes in front of you at high speed. [/QUOTE] :o Where do you shop that inattentive people drive explosive cars? Do you really believe the extra 100 feet is going to allow for that much more stamina inside of the store? ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/64 "2008-01-16T17:33:44Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] :o Where do you shop that inattentive people drive explosive cars? Do you really believe the extra 100 feet is going to allow for that much more stamina inside of the store? [/QUOTE] In a store, a very pregnant woman has the option of leaning on the cart. It’s little, but it can help. I think it goes without saying that the “Expectant Mothers” spaces is for women late in their trimester. And for all the people pissing and moaning about how it’s not fair that they get special parking spaces, and you don’t: Man up, and walk the extra hundred feet. Personally, I tend to park far away. Since I’m stuck at a desk all day, I’ll take all the physical activity I can get. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/65 "2008-01-16T17:51:58Z")
Sorry to everyone regarding that last post. The tone was not suited to GQ. For some reason, I thought this thread was in IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/66 "2008-01-16T17:56:09Z")
[QUOTE=Maus Magill] For some reason, I thought this thread was in IMHO. [/QUOTE] Now that you mention it, the factual question has either been answered or stopped being discussed. Moved from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**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, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/67 "2008-01-16T18:18:09Z")
[QUOTE=Maus Magill] Man up, and walk the extra hundred feet. [/QUOTE] Why shouldn’t this apply to everyone, both pregnant and not, who has not been classified with a disability? [QUOTE=Cheesesteak] The shopkeeper STILL has the right to offer pregnant women a special service if he feels it’s good for business. [/QUOTE] And I can choose to park there if I want to, admittadly at the theoretical risk of being towed. [QUOTE=Cheesesteak] Of course, this is subject to federal laws against discrimination, and pregnancy parking doesn’t violate that. [/QUOTE] How isn’t it discriminatory on a sexual basis? Men can’t get pregnant, last I checked. ---
**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 17, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/68 "2008-01-17T01:40:04Z")
Again, who here has said it was a “disability”? Once again, it is the choice of said store owners to offer a parking space for pregnant mothers. Dude, as someone else suggested: suck it up. It’s just a parking space. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/69 "2008-01-17T04:09:08Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] How isn’t it discriminatory on a sexual basis? Men can’t get pregnant, last I checked. [/QUOTE] Maybe you should redirect some of your energy to correcting that little oversight of nature, rather than sitting here arguing your point. God knows, most of us would be more than happy to share the burden (I wish constant heartburn, raging mood swings and swollen ankles upon any man who uses the words “we’re pregnant”) Here’s something to chew on… maybe that spot is closer to the store so that Ms Massively Preggo won’t have to lug her groceries to the far end of the lot once she’s done shopping. She’s already carrying plenty of extra weight, and a good chunk of it is probably resting squarely (and simultaneously) on her bladder and sciatic nerve, and she’s now exhausted from a simple routine chore like grocery shopping. How about giving her a break? Trust me, no one chooses to get pregnant just so they can get a sweet parking spot. ---
**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 17, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/70 "2008-01-17T05:02:26Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] How isn’t it discriminatory on a sexual basis? Men can’t get pregnant, last I checked. [/QUOTE] How is it if you can park there and reap the benefits of shopping with your pregnant friend/spouse/sister/mother/acquaintance? ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/71 "2008-01-17T06:26:32Z")
Geez, haven’t we been over this topic once or twice before? I’m pretty sure parking your car period is not some kind of inalienable right for all. You find a good parking spot, sweet, good for you, but you don’t deserve a great spot just because. A business can decide to provide spots or not, based solely on their whim. Similarly, they can decide to dedicate their spots to whomever they choose (I realize disabled parking is in fact a law). Sure, you can think it’s dumb if you want, and choose to break the rules, but you must be willing to accept the consequences (well deserved dirty looks and comments, possible towing). I used to work in a theatre with a small parking lot. In one corner of the lot was a loading zone that we absolutely needed to load shows in and out almost every day. It was clearly marked “Loading Zone - No Parking”, but entitled assholes still parked there. I tell you, there is nothing that satisfies quite like calling the tow company out to rid the loading bay of asshole cars! ---
**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 17, 2008, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/72 "2008-01-17T06:51:15Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] Again, who here has said it was a “disability”? Once again, it is the choice of said store owners to offer a parking space for pregnant mothers. Dude, as someone else suggested: suck it up. It’s just a parking space. [/QUOTE] Now we’re going around in circles. Also, your latter “point” isn’t a valid argument. ---
**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 17, 2008, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/73 "2008-01-17T06:53:10Z")
[QUOTE=Mahna Mahna] Here’s something to chew on… maybe that spot is closer to the store so that Ms Massively Preggo won’t have to lug her groceries to the far end of the lot once she’s done shopping. She’s already carrying plenty of extra weight, and a good chunk of it is probably resting squarely (and simultaneously) on her bladder and sciatic nerve, and she’s now exhausted from a simple routine chore like grocery shopping. How about giving her a break? [/QUOTE] I’ve known people who are neither handicapped nor pregnant who I think would be worthy of the same “breaks.” Should stores provide spaces for all of them too? ---
**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 17, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/74 "2008-01-17T13:04:56Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] I’ve known people who are neither handicapped nor pregnant who I think would be worthy of the same “breaks.” Should stores provide spaces for all of them too? [/QUOTE] You need ideas? Here’s a couple PARKING FOR THE MORBIDLY OBESE ONLY SELF-ABSORBED JERK PARKING (I’d love to see people park in this one!) PARKING FOR THE OVER-PRIVILEGED TODDLER/EXTREMELY SHORT PERSON PARKING (Who else is more parking lot challenged?) PARKING FOR THE LAZY (This one is completely surrounded by a cart corral) Got any more? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101/75 "2008-01-17T15:40:06Z")
[QUOTE=Mahna Mahna] Maybe you should redirect some of your energy to correcting that little oversight of nature, rather than sitting here arguing your point. God knows, most of us would be more than happy to share the burden (I wish constant heartburn, raging mood swings and swollen ankles upon any man who uses the words “we’re pregnant”) Here’s something to chew on… maybe that spot is closer to the store so that Ms Massively Preggo won’t have to lug her groceries to the far end of the lot once she’s done shopping. She’s already carrying plenty of extra weight, and a good chunk of it is probably resting squarely (and simultaneously) on her bladder and sciatic nerve, and she’s now exhausted from a simple routine chore like grocery shopping. How about giving her a break? Trust me, no one chooses to get pregnant just so they can get a sweet parking spot. [/QUOTE] What **Mahna Mahna** said. (I love the name, BTW.) You forgot to add “forced to walk across a hot, black asphalt parking lot in the middle of a South Texas summer.” I know of several 24-hour businesses that have designated parking areas for second- and third-shift employees. When these employees come and go, there are larger groups of people walking to the same place, which makes it harder and less appealing for potential attackers. It also makes it easier on security to make sure there are guards visibly posted to keep people from breaking into employees’ cars. Robin [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-park-anywhere-i-want-in-a-shopping-center-parking-lot/433101.md?page=3)