6th Gear
Although I would never actually vandalize anyone's car, I have to admit that the thought has occurred to me when I encounter SOB's who do things like purposely park sideways across two spaces or who straddle the line between two spaces. I mean when I see that I think, come on...it's just a car. Either walk from the "safe" spots (as minihune suggests) or deal with the fallout from day-to-day life.
5th Gear
we will park far far away, and take two spots just to be careful, and alot of people have complained about it...
i don't get what the big deal is, if there isn't a car around us for 10-15 spots, why can we take 2, so should some *** park next to us, we are still safe
i don't get what the big deal is, if there isn't a car around us for 10-15 spots, why can we take 2, so should some *** park next to us, we are still safe
3rd Gear
OK, i'm guilty here, but only of defending myself. I was young, 20. I had bought my first car, a used Triumph TR7 Convertible in great shape. The first week i have it, i'm parked at the grocery store. Come out to get back in my car and the Caddy in front of me had pulled up all the way so that the front bumper was resting on my hood and gouged it to the metal. So i did what any young rebellious kid would do, i gave em a few new "pin stripes". I was furious, and at the time it seemed like the best way to get them back. Wouldn't do that now, but also have no regrets for having done it.
And this one time at band camp, well, it wasn't at band camp, but it was in the parking lot of HiFi Buys in Atlanta. I was with a friend in his very new MX6. We parked. A lady (lady?) pulled in next to him so that her drivers door was next to his drivers door. She immediately opened her do into the side of his door...BAM...then shut her door and started walking off. He told her that she had hit his car and she turned around, shrugged her shoulders, and said "sorry", and kept walking. So, he returned the favor and she never even turned around. She was in a lexus or some other pretentious sedan like that, not driving a bucket of bolts.
I'm just not one of those people that think i should "do the right thing" when someone hasn't had that same respect for me.
And this one time at band camp, well, it wasn't at band camp, but it was in the parking lot of HiFi Buys in Atlanta. I was with a friend in his very new MX6. We parked. A lady (lady?) pulled in next to him so that her drivers door was next to his drivers door. She immediately opened her do into the side of his door...BAM...then shut her door and started walking off. He told her that she had hit his car and she turned around, shrugged her shoulders, and said "sorry", and kept walking. So, he returned the favor and she never even turned around. She was in a lexus or some other pretentious sedan like that, not driving a bucket of bolts.
I'm just not one of those people that think i should "do the right thing" when someone hasn't had that same respect for me.
6th Gear
Well, I wasn't going to jump into this conversation for fear of flaming, but I'll take the plunge now that jsun has lead the way.
Honestly, I can see both sides of this. Something about seeing a car parked fara away, or across two spots, makes me mad. It's not resent, really. It's more a matter of priniciple. The person taking up two spots seems to be insinuating that they're somehow superior. It just seems kind of smug, and shallow, as if the driver's ego is so tied up in their material possessions that they must by definition be a jerk. I think that's the impulse that makes people want to park next to cars like that.
On another level, it also seems like a rejection of community trust. Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car, but we're all part of a community that depends to a large degree on everyone's willingness to abide by the rules for the collective good. By parking in a parking lot, you're entering into a social contract that states that you'll respect the other cars, and yours will be respected in turn. To take up two spots or park far away is a taqcit rejection of that contract. Sure, a few people break it, but it bothers me too much to turn my back on the social contract of the parking lot to go ahead and break it.
On the other hand, now that I have a MINI of my own, I can understand the impulse. We all work really hard to make our cars pristine, with all of the detailing work and obsessive cleaning. It's really hard to watch somebody mistreat something you really care about. So I'm more sympathetic to the two-spot people than I used to be.
For my own part, I try to straddle the line. I don't park really far away, or take up two spots. But I do look for spots where there are fewer cars around me, preferably with as many protected sides as possible. If I can park on the passenger side of another car instead of the driver's side, to avoid a potential ding, I do.
Wow, I never thought I'd have so much to say about parking lot etiquette.
Honestly, I can see both sides of this. Something about seeing a car parked fara away, or across two spots, makes me mad. It's not resent, really. It's more a matter of priniciple. The person taking up two spots seems to be insinuating that they're somehow superior. It just seems kind of smug, and shallow, as if the driver's ego is so tied up in their material possessions that they must by definition be a jerk. I think that's the impulse that makes people want to park next to cars like that.
On another level, it also seems like a rejection of community trust. Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car, but we're all part of a community that depends to a large degree on everyone's willingness to abide by the rules for the collective good. By parking in a parking lot, you're entering into a social contract that states that you'll respect the other cars, and yours will be respected in turn. To take up two spots or park far away is a taqcit rejection of that contract. Sure, a few people break it, but it bothers me too much to turn my back on the social contract of the parking lot to go ahead and break it.
On the other hand, now that I have a MINI of my own, I can understand the impulse. We all work really hard to make our cars pristine, with all of the detailing work and obsessive cleaning. It's really hard to watch somebody mistreat something you really care about. So I'm more sympathetic to the two-spot people than I used to be.
For my own part, I try to straddle the line. I don't park really far away, or take up two spots. But I do look for spots where there are fewer cars around me, preferably with as many protected sides as possible. If I can park on the passenger side of another car instead of the driver's side, to avoid a potential ding, I do.
Wow, I never thought I'd have so much to say about parking lot etiquette.
6th Gear
Not that I'm adverse to flames, but I'll just clarify that I have nothing against people who park far away...and frankly, if where they're parked is pretty much empty and if they want to take two spaces, well, I can let 'em live. 
But what burns me is when they hog two (or more) spaces up close or in crowded lots. That's when I feel as countrym suggests...that they're somehow "more special" than others and are entitled to take more than their fair share. That's what I hate.
But what burns me is when they hog two (or more) spaces up close or in crowded lots. That's when I feel as countrym suggests...that they're somehow "more special" than others and are entitled to take more than their fair share. That's what I hate. 
5th Gear
>>Well, I wasn't going to jump into this conversation for fear of flaming, but I'll take the plunge now that jsun has lead the way.
>>
>>Honestly, I can see both sides of this. Something about seeing a car parked fara away, or across two spots, makes me mad. It's not resent, really. It's more a matter of priniciple. The person taking up two spots seems to be insinuating that they're somehow superior. It just seems kind of smug, and shallow, as if the driver's ego is so tied up in their material possessions that they must by definition be a jerk. I think that's the impulse that makes people want to park next to cars like that.
>>
>>On another level, it also seems like a rejection of community trust. Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car, but we're all part of a community that depends to a large degree on everyone's willingness to abide by the rules for the collective good. By parking in a parking lot, you're entering into a social contract that states that you'll respect the other cars, and yours will be respected in turn. To take up two spots or park far away is a taqcit rejection of that contract. Sure, a few people break it, but it bothers me too much to turn my back on the social contract of the parking lot to go ahead and break it.
>>
>>On the other hand, now that I have a MINI of my own, I can understand the impulse. We all work really hard to make our cars pristine, with all of the detailing work and obsessive cleaning. It's really hard to watch somebody mistreat something you really care about. So I'm more sympathetic to the two-spot people than I used to be.
>>
>>For my own part, I try to straddle the line. I don't park really far away, or take up two spots. But I do look for spots where there are fewer cars around me, preferably with as many protected sides as possible. If I can park on the passenger side of another car instead of the driver's side, to avoid a potential ding, I do.
>>
>>Wow, I never thought I'd have so much to say about parking lot etiquette.
I agree that seeing someone intentionally take up two spaces is a bit irritating and a breach of "social contract", which is why I try to do as many others do, which is find the less obvious way to protect the car. I'll never trust others to the extent that I'll intentionally give them a shot at my car. As some of the stories in this thread make clear, there are those out there who are accidents waiting to happen, either on the road or in the parking lot. The idea of a social contract should also mean that we would not need car alarms. Well, I'm glad to have one, and I'll continue to park whenever possible so that others can't make me pay for their carelessness. Just another $.02.
>>
>>Honestly, I can see both sides of this. Something about seeing a car parked fara away, or across two spots, makes me mad. It's not resent, really. It's more a matter of priniciple. The person taking up two spots seems to be insinuating that they're somehow superior. It just seems kind of smug, and shallow, as if the driver's ego is so tied up in their material possessions that they must by definition be a jerk. I think that's the impulse that makes people want to park next to cars like that.
>>
>>On another level, it also seems like a rejection of community trust. Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car, but we're all part of a community that depends to a large degree on everyone's willingness to abide by the rules for the collective good. By parking in a parking lot, you're entering into a social contract that states that you'll respect the other cars, and yours will be respected in turn. To take up two spots or park far away is a taqcit rejection of that contract. Sure, a few people break it, but it bothers me too much to turn my back on the social contract of the parking lot to go ahead and break it.
>>
>>On the other hand, now that I have a MINI of my own, I can understand the impulse. We all work really hard to make our cars pristine, with all of the detailing work and obsessive cleaning. It's really hard to watch somebody mistreat something you really care about. So I'm more sympathetic to the two-spot people than I used to be.
>>
>>For my own part, I try to straddle the line. I don't park really far away, or take up two spots. But I do look for spots where there are fewer cars around me, preferably with as many protected sides as possible. If I can park on the passenger side of another car instead of the driver's side, to avoid a potential ding, I do.
>>
>>Wow, I never thought I'd have so much to say about parking lot etiquette.
I agree that seeing someone intentionally take up two spaces is a bit irritating and a breach of "social contract", which is why I try to do as many others do, which is find the less obvious way to protect the car. I'll never trust others to the extent that I'll intentionally give them a shot at my car. As some of the stories in this thread make clear, there are those out there who are accidents waiting to happen, either on the road or in the parking lot. The idea of a social contract should also mean that we would not need car alarms. Well, I'm glad to have one, and I'll continue to park whenever possible so that others can't make me pay for their carelessness. Just another $.02.
6th Gear
Sad thread this.
The world is full of a**holes, of which we are but a few.
People's behavior can be atrocious. Even yours and mine on occasion. No one should maliciously or willfuly damage another's car. That is just plain wrong. I know that tempers run high but keying is not the answer. Getting them to pay, either directly or indirectly through higher insurance rates for the next three to five years is a much better alternative. That way, they'll have to "relive" the moment of their stupidity or whatnot when they have to write the check.
The world is full of a**holes, of which we are but a few.
People's behavior can be atrocious. Even yours and mine on occasion. No one should maliciously or willfuly damage another's car. That is just plain wrong. I know that tempers run high but keying is not the answer. Getting them to pay, either directly or indirectly through higher insurance rates for the next three to five years is a much better alternative. That way, they'll have to "relive" the moment of their stupidity or whatnot when they have to write the check.
2nd Gear
After reading all this, I think I will just park prickley pete at home and take a bus.
6th Gear
>>On another level, it also seems like a rejection of community trust. Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car, but we're all part of a community that depends to a large degree on everyone's willingness to abide by the rules for the collective good. By parking in a parking lot, you're entering into a social contract that states that you'll respect the other cars, and yours will be respected in turn. To take up two spots or park far away is a taqcit rejection of that contract. Sure, a few people break it, but it bothers me too much to turn my back on the social contract of the parking lot to go ahead and break it.
I think the key phrase above is "Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car". As in most things, a few bad apples spoil it for everyone. If I have to choose between 1) honoring the social contract thereby increasing my chances of damage, or 2) parking far away in the lot because of these bad apples, I'm going with #2.
I think the percentage of people who don't give a crap is increasing, not decreasing - so it's only going to get worse. I guess I'm a pessimist, but I'm a pessimist with less dings in my door. :smile:
All that said, I do NOT agree with taking up two spaces, even if you're parked far away. It's a blatant violation of parking "rules", and I think it invites a lot more resentment than just parking far away. By parking in a single space that's far away, I've broken no rules, just made a longer walk for myself.
And using two spaces while far away really doesn't make logical sense anyway. If you don't think the lot will fill up, nobody will be near you so why take 2 spaces? But if it does fill up, then you'll definitely have some people gunning for you.
I think the key phrase above is "Yes, there are people who will stupidly damage your car". As in most things, a few bad apples spoil it for everyone. If I have to choose between 1) honoring the social contract thereby increasing my chances of damage, or 2) parking far away in the lot because of these bad apples, I'm going with #2.
I think the percentage of people who don't give a crap is increasing, not decreasing - so it's only going to get worse. I guess I'm a pessimist, but I'm a pessimist with less dings in my door. :smile:
All that said, I do NOT agree with taking up two spaces, even if you're parked far away. It's a blatant violation of parking "rules", and I think it invites a lot more resentment than just parking far away. By parking in a single space that's far away, I've broken no rules, just made a longer walk for myself.
And using two spaces while far away really doesn't make logical sense anyway. If you don't think the lot will fill up, nobody will be near you so why take 2 spaces? But if it does fill up, then you'll definitely have some people gunning for you.
Ok, this is unbelieveable.
I took the car in for the insurance guy to look at and he feels that the damage can be buffed out and will pay for that, or a repaint on the door if that doesn't work. I told him I thought they should reimburse me for my time considering I wouldn't have to screw around with all this if that woman hadn't damaged my door, and he starts getting pissed off.
He started arguing, and actually had the ***** to call me a "Little Punk", and tell me I'm "wasting his time". Unbelievable.
I'm 29, and I don't think I look or act like a punk. This guy came completely unhinged. I dropped the issue after he lost it, and managed to drag his bosses name and number out of him. I still haven't called the guy.
Any suggestions on where to report this clown besides his boss?
I took the car in for the insurance guy to look at and he feels that the damage can be buffed out and will pay for that, or a repaint on the door if that doesn't work. I told him I thought they should reimburse me for my time considering I wouldn't have to screw around with all this if that woman hadn't damaged my door, and he starts getting pissed off.
He started arguing, and actually had the ***** to call me a "Little Punk", and tell me I'm "wasting his time". Unbelievable.
I'm 29, and I don't think I look or act like a punk. This guy came completely unhinged. I dropped the issue after he lost it, and managed to drag his bosses name and number out of him. I still haven't called the guy.
Any suggestions on where to report this clown besides his boss?
3rd Gear
Bosses are a good place to start. Naming names on forums is good too. Insurance companies get down on such behavior because it makes a bad thing worse. Consumer Affairs might like to know as well as your state's Insurance Commissioner and Regulatory Board. Maybe the lady who caused the damage would also like to know.
Well, the woman that hit me uses the same ins company I do. I've had good luck with them until now, and my agent has been really cool so I'm going to give them a chance to restore confidence before blasting them on the internet.
The woman was at the claims place but had left before the incident occured. She looked pissed that I opened a claim and I didn't talk to her. I imagine she'd be thrilled that the claims guy gave me a hard time.
I'll try the Insurance Commisioner. Thanks for the tip.
The woman was at the claims place but had left before the incident occured. She looked pissed that I opened a claim and I didn't talk to her. I imagine she'd be thrilled that the claims guy gave me a hard time.
I'll try the Insurance Commisioner. Thanks for the tip.
3rd Gear
>>Probably not the best time to share these ideas, but here they are, in the order I always look for:
>>
>>1. Never park near another car at all if you can help it.
>>2. Choose a parking place where one side or the other can't have a car (building, median strip, etc) and hug that side so that any door swinging open will not come anywhere near yours.
>>3. Never park where something can roll downhill into your car (shopping cart!)- park on the uphill incline in any parking lot.
>>4. Parallel park.
>>
>>I'll park quite a distance away from where I'm going to make sure of the above. I trust absolutely NO ONE in a parking situation.
Listen to FMS! also, if you cannot find a parking place far away, then try to park next to someone that has just gotten out of their car and shop fast so you can get back before they open their door on you.
>>
>>1. Never park near another car at all if you can help it.
>>2. Choose a parking place where one side or the other can't have a car (building, median strip, etc) and hug that side so that any door swinging open will not come anywhere near yours.
>>3. Never park where something can roll downhill into your car (shopping cart!)- park on the uphill incline in any parking lot.
>>4. Parallel park.
>>
>>I'll park quite a distance away from where I'm going to make sure of the above. I trust absolutely NO ONE in a parking situation.
Listen to FMS! also, if you cannot find a parking place far away, then try to park next to someone that has just gotten out of their car and shop fast so you can get back before they open their door on you.
4th Gear
This thread has inspired me to keep my MCS in my university's lot when I get it, no street parking for me. (They don't put anyone to collect money for the lot after 2 am so you can essentially park for free if you get your car out after 2 am, its a pain, but cheap).
4th Gear
Thus far, I've been fortunate at my workplace. There are enough new, and/or very-well-kept cars, that we had the social critical mass necessary to add a few new rules to the parking-lot social contract. At the very rear of the lot, next to the back fence, is "yes, I do care about my car" row. We all park with one open spce between each car, and we are far enough back that most of the beater-driving cretins leave us alone, since they'd rather not risk the excercise that parking out next to our cars entails. Midnight's preferred space is nestled between an RX-8 and an '03 Corvette. 
In other areas, I resort to the BFE hike and looking for the curbside spaces. I also refuse to park in narrow-ruled lots. Why should I patronize businesses who, by their lot-space marking practices, demonstrate that they don't care at all about their customers' property? There's no fun to be had in getting new stuff, if it means letting the unwashed masses abuse the stuff I've already got. I worked way too hard to get it in the first place!
*rant off.*
_________________
Midnight- '03 indi blue MCS, learning all the bad habits of a proper British car from Rusty- '75 MGB
In other areas, I resort to the BFE hike and looking for the curbside spaces. I also refuse to park in narrow-ruled lots. Why should I patronize businesses who, by their lot-space marking practices, demonstrate that they don't care at all about their customers' property? There's no fun to be had in getting new stuff, if it means letting the unwashed masses abuse the stuff I've already got. I worked way too hard to get it in the first place!
*rant off.*
_________________
Midnight- '03 indi blue MCS, learning all the bad habits of a proper British car from Rusty- '75 MGB
Banned
The second car I was ever madly in love with was a Saab Sonnett. One good day I went to Sears, walked in, came out and SOME CRETIN had parked so close to me the cars were actually touching on my passenger side and HIS passenger side.
Coolheaded that I am, I waltzed back into Sears and had the CRETIN paged by license and make. Very nice old git (about my current age) who could not believe what he had done. Very apologetic...... Luckily we were able to disengage his car without scratching either. He left right there, again profusely apologizing. Got back in my car and ,OOOOOPS, I had left it in neutral and I realized MY car had slowly rolled across into HIS......
PKT RKT gives me plenty of exercise. I park in the back of beyond or just a little past that. At work, if I hustle, which I do, I get the primo pole position slot that has the kerb on one side and snug right up against that baby so half a space is left on my exposed site.
Coolheaded that I am, I waltzed back into Sears and had the CRETIN paged by license and make. Very nice old git (about my current age) who could not believe what he had done. Very apologetic...... Luckily we were able to disengage his car without scratching either. He left right there, again profusely apologizing. Got back in my car and ,OOOOOPS, I had left it in neutral and I realized MY car had slowly rolled across into HIS......
PKT RKT gives me plenty of exercise. I park in the back of beyond or just a little past that. At work, if I hustle, which I do, I get the primo pole position slot that has the kerb on one side and snug right up against that baby so half a space is left on my exposed site.
6th Gear
>>FMS - I follow those rules as much as possible, but sometimes with a kid in the car it's a real pain to park in BFE. I may start getting used to it though.
>>
>>I was talking to a woman I work with a couple weeks ago, and she said that when she sees a nice car parked at the end of the parking lot, she makes sure to park next to it and tap it with her door. I don't understand the logic here. I tried to get it out of her, but I don't believe there was any logic to be had there.
Gee I wish you hadn't shared this it make's me feel all evil inside.
Since she's such a prankster maybe she would like another practical jokester to deal
with. She would probably love the scent of Red Fox/Bobcat Urine injected under the door window seal inside for her motoring pleasure. Somebody with such a smelly attitude should have to live with it. Or if she like's to do her own maint. an ice pick into the base of those valve cores will provide plenty of slow leaking fun and it's always nice to double size that, one front and rear on opposite sides. I don't Know what else it would take to get her on the bus. Note to self, stop it, evil bad karma all way around. :evil:
>>
>>I was talking to a woman I work with a couple weeks ago, and she said that when she sees a nice car parked at the end of the parking lot, she makes sure to park next to it and tap it with her door. I don't understand the logic here. I tried to get it out of her, but I don't believe there was any logic to be had there.
Gee I wish you hadn't shared this it make's me feel all evil inside.
Since she's such a prankster maybe she would like another practical jokester to deal
with. She would probably love the scent of Red Fox/Bobcat Urine injected under the door window seal inside for her motoring pleasure. Somebody with such a smelly attitude should have to live with it. Or if she like's to do her own maint. an ice pick into the base of those valve cores will provide plenty of slow leaking fun and it's always nice to double size that, one front and rear on opposite sides. I don't Know what else it would take to get her on the bus. Note to self, stop it, evil bad karma all way around. :evil:
5th Gear
Not one ding yet after 4 months of ownership.
I ALWAYS park in one of the following ways:
-in one of those wide, end spaces, preferably right up against a curb, so that even a long door can't reach my car.
-way away from everybody else
-next to immaculate Bimmers. The drivers of these cars are self-important bastards who are unlikely to risk scratching their door edges by hitting another car.
If I have to go to WalMart, Target, or any other store that caters to the vile human waste of America, I park in the farthest space I can find that is reasonably well defended.
I ALWAYS park in one of the following ways:
-in one of those wide, end spaces, preferably right up against a curb, so that even a long door can't reach my car.
-way away from everybody else
-next to immaculate Bimmers. The drivers of these cars are self-important bastards who are unlikely to risk scratching their door edges by hitting another car.
If I have to go to WalMart, Target, or any other store that caters to the vile human waste of America, I park in the farthest space I can find that is reasonably well defended.
5th Gear
Parking in two spaces just invites trouble. Why try to incite people to vandalize your car?