# Is there some psychology to parking like a jackass in a parking lot (i.e. across the lines)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 12, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187 "2013-05-12T23:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/21 "2013-05-13T20:44:41Z")
> [@Krouget](#): > > I’ve avoided door dings for years now, in part, because I park further away. It’s certainly not a guarantee, but without a doubt, parking where there is less volume, lowers the risks. > > If anyone tends to park near me, it’s generally another person who cares enough to do so properly and without swinging their door into mine. Parking diagonal, anywhere, is pretty much going to draw the wrong attention/attitude, though. This is my attitude also. I park far enough away from the front spaces that there are plenty to be used before someone needs to park next to me. If there is a Corvette or other nice car parked out in the south 40 I will park right next to it, at least one side of the car will be safe from dings. Many people view their cars as a simple, recyclable utility that will be replaced every few years, mine is not and I am trying to keep it pristine as long as possible. That said, using up two parking spaces is jerkish behavour. My wife, who drives a truck, says that grandma is always leaving a parking space up front and she will drive around the lot looking for an upfront spot long after we would have already walked from the back lot into the store. I say, “have you see the side of grandma’s car?” ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/22 "2013-05-13T20:46:10Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > IMO, the only reason to take up multiple spots is if your vehicle just cannot fit in a single spot, and if that’s the case, there’s the simple courtesy of parking at the back of the lot. The only problem, though, is that often there isn’t a true "back of the lot. If the place you’re going to is in the corner of an L-Shaped shopping center, or there’s stores on both sides, the “back” is really more like the middle which, depending on the types of businesses and time of day, could get filled up too. I remember a few years ago when our little computer company was experiencing such growth that we had to downsize our parking spaces by 25% and they weren’t all that wide in the first place. Then one of our Vice Presidents bought a Ford F-350 Super Duty and decided to make it his daily commuter. Much hilarity ensued. He finally claimed the two closest spots as his, had the line separating the two painted over and a sign put up. Why do some people go out of their way to make people hate them? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/23 "2013-05-13T21:22:53Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I don’t mind diagonal parkers all that much if they do it in the outer reaches of the lot with several spaces around them. This is how I do it. Wayyyy on the outer spaces where there aren’t any cars at all. I’m not affecting anyone doing it. My nice sports car doesn’t get dinged and it forces me to walk more. Win/win. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/24 "2013-05-13T21:28:47Z")
Some people are only running into the store for a couple of items. Why spend 5 minutes parking perfectly between the lines? Diagonals happen when you turn in at the wrong angle. Now you have to back up, straighten, and pull forward. Back up again. Pull forward. All the while blocking the lane that people need to drive in. You could pull in, grab your jug of milk, pay and leave while the other guy is trying for the perfect alignment between the lines. ---
**Author:** ![Rollo\_Tomasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58956e/32.png) [@Rollo\_Tomasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rollo_Tomasi)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/25 "2013-05-13T21:34:11Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Why spend 5 minutes parking perfectly between the lines? It takes you five minutes to pull in straight between two lines?!? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/26 "2013-05-13T21:38:49Z")
Not me. I was referring to bad drivers. I much rather them park sloppy then block the driving lane backing up/pulling forward several times. Sometimes I have to backup in the driving lane just to give those people room to do their dance. Otherwise I’ll get backed into. Even worse is some jerk stopped in the driving lane waiting for someone to empty a parking spot. Make six cars wait so that one guy gets that empty spot. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/27 "2013-05-13T21:40:07Z")
What a coinkydink; just this morning in the parking garage I usually park in, there was a guy who took up two spaces at once. It wasn’t even a diagonal parking job, either; it was just straight in. His driver’s side window was partly rolled down; I was sooooo tempted… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/28 "2013-05-14T01:04:13Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > The psychology is, “I’m more important than anyone else in the world, and my needs and desires trump everything else.” And it’s not just parking. This. > [@bot3](#): > > Pure and simple…Lazy! And this. Plus the “bad driver” thing. Pulling into a parking space between the lines on the first try should be one of the easiest things you do all day. **standingwave** , your vice president is a 100%, Grade “A” asshole. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/29 "2013-05-14T03:10:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Some people are only running into the store for a couple of items. Why spend 5 minutes parking perfectly between the lines? Diagonals happen when you turn in at the wrong angle. Now you have to back up, straighten, and pull forward. Back up again. Pull forward. All the while blocking the lane that people need to drive in. > > You could pull in, grab your jug of milk, pay and leave while the other guy is trying for the perfect alignment between the lines. Just park in a handicapped space, nobody ever needs it. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/30 "2013-05-14T03:27:27Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > \IMO, the only reason to take up multiple spots is if your vehicle just cannot fit in a single spot, and if that’s the case, there’s the simple courtesy of parking at the back of the lot.\ > [@standingwave](#): > > I remember a few years ago when our little computer company was experiencing such growth that we had to downsize our parking spaces by 25% and they weren’t all that wide in the first place. Then one of our Vice Presidents bought a Ford F-350 Super Duty and decided to make it his daily commuter. Much hilarity ensued. He finally claimed the two closest spots as his, had the line separating the two painted over and a sign put up. Why do some people go out of their way to make people hate them? As I always say, if it’s too big to park, it’s too big to drive. > [@yoyodyne](#): > > Just park in a handicapped space, nobody ever needs it. I work with someone who is minimally handicapped; she has some trouble walking long distances. She takes up one of the two handicapped parking spots nearest the door most parents and grandparents use when they have to come in to pick up their kids, and she’s in that space all day long. It saves her maybe fifteen feet of walking (there are a whole lot of staff parking spaces almost as close to the door), and if there’s more than one disabled visitor, they’re forced to park way on the other side of the school. Guess what kind of vehicle she drives? ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/31 "2013-05-14T03:27:57Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > Just park in a handicapped space, nobody ever needs it. “Have you ever seen a handicapped person pull into a space and park? I got news for you. Handicapped people, they don’t even want to park there! They wanna be treated just like anybody else! That’s why, those spaces are always empty.” ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/32 "2013-05-15T00:24:44Z")
It’s because they’re assholes, not sure if that’s a legit mental condition or not but if I were you I wouldn’t put much effort into trying to see things their way - the fact that you can’t just means that you’re not an asshole! You _should_, however, visit this site and let them know that they’re assholes! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/33 "2013-05-15T00:49:10Z")
I just get pissed off when someone parks in my spot at the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/34 "2013-05-15T00:54:13Z")
> [@wheresmymind](#): > > It’s because they’re assholes, not sure if that’s a legit mental condition or not but if I were you I wouldn’t put much effort into trying to see things their way - the fact that you can’t just means that you’re not an asshole! They are the same people who who drive really slow in the ultrafast lane while people behind them are going insane. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/35 "2013-05-15T07:16:37Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > On rare occasions, it could be because there was snow covering up the lines when the person parked there. I ski a lot. This is a daily problem. When given the choice to “imagine your own lines” these idiots park thier shit-wagons about 6 feet from each other and at any angle they happen to be traveling at the time. I imagine they are none too happy when they find my tiny-ass car wedged twixt them out of necessity. I’ve never been messed with, not that I would much care. Gotta love having a fleet of beaters! ---
**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:** [May 15, 2013, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/36 "2013-05-15T07:37:45Z")
Although parking across lines when you don’t have to is jerkish behavior, I don’t thing that people who park in a way to protect their cars are strange. If you worked hard to get a car or spent time and money fixing one up, it makes sense to try to protect it. When I was a young man, working hard to keep my little Z and my Mustang in nice shape, it would be a bit frustrating when some inconsiderate jerk would put a big ol’ ding in it. I would always try to find the safest parking spot. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/37 "2013-05-15T09:15:58Z")
When you’re having a heart attack and it’s just your kids with you. My friend died while driving with his family. He just managed to stop at the shoulder of the road. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/38 "2013-05-15T12:34:44Z")
> [@Win\_Place\_Show](#): > > […](or sometimes even four :smack:) open spaces? I actually saw this, a while ago. The person must have recently purchased his vehicle, and decided to occupy four spaces by parking in the center/inner corner of all four spaces, as bold as can be. To add, it was also parked in a very high volume location, not even away from other vehicles. I’ve mostly seen exotic cars park diagonal for two spaces, at the most, but this was just an orange Challenger (current). The funny thing is, these people count on the idea that \*other \*people will respect the parking lines. It’s amusing when they don’t, and then park just as bad, in whatever space is left (which I’ve also seen). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187/39 "2013-05-15T12:43:25Z")
nm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-psychology-to-parking-like-a-jackass-in-a-parking-lot-i-e-across-the-lines/658187.md?page=1)