The 6 Dos and Don'ts of Parking Etiquette
Parking lots can be a den of treachery, speed, and ego. Check out some helpful tips to navigate these lots full of hidden surprises.
1. Don't Space Hog
If you are nervous about people parking too close to you then may we suggest that you search the lot for those few spaces that are just a bit wider than the others? They are usually those end lane spaces or one near a tree where you can park off to the side of the line and have a nice buffer on the other side. Parking across multiple lines is just asking for someone to do something malicious to your car in an act of parking lot vengeance.
2. Don't Hold Spaces
Have you ever seen a person jumping out and running to an empty space? Maybe you've come to a seemingly empty spot only to find someone standing there as if they've stumbled upon new land that they wish to claim in the name of the Queen of England? This. Is. Not. Cool. Parking spaces were made to hold cars while their owners are out taking care of whatever business they need to attend to. They are first come, first served car spaces. If you legitimately beat a car to a spot, then to the victor goes the spoils. We aren't suggesting racing through a lot dangerously to grab the gold ring but if you come upon it first then it's yours.
3. Don't Park Where You're Not Supposed To
This is for the people who park in handicap spaces, electric vehicle charging spots, stripped areas, and everything else where you know it does not apply to you or is illegal. For one, it's a bad thing to do as you will be taking away from some individual or even an emergency vehicle from being able to access the space that they need. Two, it's tons of bad karma. Sure you're in a rush and you'll only be a moment but will it be worth it if you end up getting a hefty ticket or even towed?
4. Do Slow Down
This bit of information is priceless, as there are so many things that can be hiding in the tall grass that is a parking lot that you just never know what will literally come out at you. You don't have to creep through the lot as if you're a jungle panther stalking the night's dinner in near silence, but a 5-10 mph roll should be enough. Your overly cautious speed is because even if you're paying full attention to what you're doing, there are people present who may not be.
5. Do Return a Stray Cart
If you see a stray cart while you're headed to the store, just grab it. Now you have a cart and you don't have to deal with the weird cue of people trying to get their own carts near the entrance. Even if you're not headed to the store push it to the nearest cart return or area where the carts are away from vulnerable cars. Remember that thing about karma I mentioned before? Here is a chance for you to even the scales or put some extra positivity in the universe by saving some car from a nasty dent. If enough people do this we can single-handedly eliminate cart-on-car damage in lots.
6. Do Park Far Away
Or, as far as you can ably do so to avoid all the chaos that can happen near those coveted front of the lot spots. There is also comradery in parking near the back as fellow auto enthusiasts will probably take a hint from you and park near the back out of solidarity. If you get a fellow car nut near you, at least you know they don't want to hit your car just as much as you don't want to hit theirs.
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