How do you select your car parking space in a car park?
Posted by TheInitialGod@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 154 comments
So, reason I ask was due to a moment last week at work. I got there to the car park (car park of a public entertainment complex), and reverse parked in a bay. Either side of me was available in this near empty car park.
Was early for work so I thought I'd doss about on my phone for a few minutes. And in the time doing that, another car pulls up next to my drivers side door really quite close, but they drove in nose first. So our drivers doors are next to each other. He then slowly and methodically slides out his car, being careful not to ding my car with his door. A move I am now forced to repeat in a minute.
He effectively not only made it difficult for himself to exit his car with his poor choice of space and crap parking, but he also made it difficult for me to exit mine. In this near empty car park. What kind of psychopath does that?!
So anyway, how do you pick what parking space you choose? Closest to the doors of the supermarket? Straddling 2 spaces at the back? Not giving a shit about the disabled?
Zubi_Q@reddit
Never understand people like this. Same thing when you are at an empty cinema screen and decide to sit next to you 🙄
Maleficent-Win-6520@reddit
As far away from anyone else I can find.
NibblyPig@reddit
Found the guy that when I park miles away from anyone else, with 20 spots free in all directions, comes and parks right next to me
Maleficent-Win-6520@reddit
I also lick your windows too
CatFoodBeerAndGlue@reddit
Next to this guy.
sar_tr@reddit
If you just park in your own driveway everywhere you go then you always have your own space, plus you are always close to home, your sofa and snacks and there aren't other people there to annoy you.
MinimumCautious3461@reddit
Parking Eye shareholders HATE this one weird trick
Wise-Independence487@reddit
This
mdmnl@reddit
Me too. Which is to say, you're in my spot.
MinimumCautious3461@reddit
My man 🤝
WaltzFirm6336@reddit
I think it depends on how naturally neat and tidy you are. I imagine how people stack their dishwashers is a good indicator.
_Cridders_@reddit
In my Tesco, there's a final row, which after that you'd have to loop round and start again. I always go for this row, it always feels like a gamble and creates immense excitement. When there's a space in the first few spaces (this is also close to the door), I stride in with a smug look on my face, knowing I'm better than all these other wimps.
oslyander@reddit
Based on whether there is a car in it or not.
ramapyjamadingdong@reddit
So proximity to destination is key.
So at work, there are maybe 300 bays per floor. I park in the block of 50 by the stairwell/lift or go up a floor. The car park is a 60s multistory so the spaces are too small and the lane too narrow. I try to park with nothing on at least one side of me, but concede occasionally. At supermarket, a drive through is premium. But again aim for one with nothing next to it.
Paul2377@reddit
I generally park in a space that has no one either side (if one is available). It makes it easier to get out of the car and I don't mind a bit of a walk.
I suspect the person in OP's post feels more confident parking in a space that has a car already in it - because they use that as their guide, rather than the white lines on the floor. People like that annoy me!
project46@reddit
Nearest spaces far away from anyone else. If that doesn’t exist then I find the most expensive cars beside each other with a space in the middle.
MyNameIsNavy@reddit
Outdoor carparks: I'll choose the one close to the entrance/exit, and if possible make sure there's no cars at either side of me.
Indoor Carparks: a middle slot in a group of 3 with no obstructions, the 1 and 3 slots with pillars are a no-go. Not because i can't park properly but i feel like i have to be a bit more forward when i'm in one of those
TobblyWobbly@reddit
When I'm parking at the big Tesco in Bathgate, I go to the almost always empty corner below the glass recycling, then walk the length of the car park.
Husband parks as close to the shop as he can and spends twice as long a) finding a space and b) manoeuvring to get the massive Jogger into said space.
Go figure.
07ufarooq@reddit
Depends on how busy it is. If it’s quiet I’ll find a bay with no cars either side.
If it’s busy I’ll try to find one with an empty space next to it.
If it’s really busy I’ll find a space where this is a decent space where this decent room to get in / out of the car comfortably
audigex@reddit
If it's busy I just whack it in the first space I see
If it's fairly quiet I head towards the back half of the car park and there'll be a block of 2 or 3 spaces that'll take my fancy as I approach. No rhyme or reason to it, it just gets chosen subconsciously
SportTawk@reddit
Some people are absolute morons when it comes to things like this
Independent_Push_159@reddit
I look for a space that I can drive into nose first but continue to the one straight ahead, on the next row that allows me to drive out nose first when I leave.
Throwaway6765656@reddit
Me too. I can get into any bay perfectly first time driving into it, but trying to reverse into a space? No chance.
Equally I hate reversing out of a space, so a drive through reverse park cheat is the way lol
Jacktheforkie@reddit
You must have a fairly small car, always takes me multiple shunts to get In because of the limited space
Throwaway6765656@reddit
I do - it’s tiny. However when I’m reverse parking it might as well be a bus.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I found reversing in is so much easier
escapingfromelba@reddit
I do that on the drive and into street parking, but in a supermarket it pays to have the boot near the road.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I mostly put my shopping in the passenger footwell tbh because my boot has a really awkward lock and it’s not particularly easy to open
escapingfromelba@reddit
And you just proved my point, thank you.
bluejackmovedagain@reddit
Me too.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
It’s so much easier because the front can move freely in the open rather than making a 600 point manoeuvre to get in
HorrificNecktie6269@reddit
A lovely pull through space as me and my girlfriend call them
Gremlin_1989@reddit
I'll do this if I can, but if not I'll reverse in to one. I prefer reversing into a space over reversing out of one.
I'll aim for a parent and child parking space if I have my daughter with me and she's leaving the car. Or one near the back of the carpark, if I don't have her or the P&C ones are taken.
Electronic-Country63@reddit
I’ve gotten into so many battles of wills with old dears in Waitrose who do this… I’m reversing into a space as someone drives across another one to try and get into the one I’m driving into!
CanWeNapPlease@reddit
We call it the reverse forward spot.
Doughnut2220@reddit
It's known as an innie-outie in my family, my favourite 😂.
MJLDat@reddit
Ah, corralling, I do that.
Training-Zombie-3591@reddit
Also known as a throughie where I come from.
kevio17@reddit
This is the way
mrbadger2000@reddit
The one with the stencilled wheelchair on it.
EatingCoooolo@reddit
Depends where I’m going, if it’s an event and leaving is an issue then close the exit. If I go food shopping then closest to entrance.
fastestman4704@reddit
In order:
1) a through and through space with no neighbours where I'll be parked
2) a single bay with no neighbours
3) two empty bays so I can reverse in with my passenger side next to someone elses car and open my door into the free bay
4) just yano.. an empty one because you can't park in the same space as someone else.
Also if you don't reverse in I'm judging you.
EyeAware3519@reddit
I park right next to the fancy car that someone has purposely parked miles away from the entrance so no-one parks next to them.
NiceDoor4444@reddit
Lol, do you do it to non fancy cars too? I have a small, old non fancy car and park in the empty far away spaces and 9 out of 10 times I come back and sometimes has parked next to me so I have to squeeze in.....I just want to understand haha.
EyeAware3519@reddit
In all seriousness though, the kind of people who care about their car enough to park it away from all the other cars are less likely to open their door straight into yours.
St2Crank@reddit
I’m not parking my car away from all the other cars because I car so much about my car. It’s because I’ve got my kids and I need room to get them in and out. What you’re doing is actually increasing the chances of your door getting hit as you’ve parked next to me.
OnTurtlesAndThings@reddit
Jokes on you, I don't care about my car but I still park far away from all the other cars.
I never open my car door into other people though, not because I care about my car but because I'm not a dick head.
St2Crank@reddit
Ahh, always wondered why people do this. Is it just to be a prick?
Happily-Incorrect@reddit
When I was a newer driver I would only ever park next to other cars because it was easier to use the car as a reference point for parking properly in the bay.
Octoboy1@reddit
I have this conversation with my Mrs all the time.
There is no method, I let the spot choose me. I go into the carpark and I just feel the urge to park, sometimes its close to the shop, sometimes its the furthest spot away
I am at the mercy of the carpark
AirlineSevere7456@reddit
Must admit I do this, some spaces feel wrong then you come across the one that looks good.
lyndsayy@reddit
It’s all about the vibes, you’re right.
AirlineSevere7456@reddit
The one with end hatchings on one side to give you more space, as far away from other people as possible.
SubbiSW@reddit
At the back, furthest away from any cars nearby, usually reverse in
Chimpantea@reddit
As far away from everyone as possible and then a bit more.
Same thing happened to me. Parked up and an SUV thing parks so close they can barely get out when there are literally a ton of free spaces. I think they need another car to line themselves up.
ClericalRogue@reddit
The same way i choose where to sit - with no other either side of me.
Apprehensive-List794@reddit
I always ask my husband to park where it’s unlikely another car will be beside us. I’m blind and can’t find my documents right now (just moved) to prove my disability which means that I can’t reapply for my blue badge after I left my last one in a courtesy car. I just don’t want to bang into someone else car tbh with my door.
Amazing-Visual-2919@reddit
Obviously you look on your spreadsheet to see why parking space you haven't used yet and see if you can tick one of them off ?
hepheastus_87@reddit
There was a chap in the uk that actually did this. It made the news 😅
Number60nopeas@reddit
damn, now i want to do this
Amazing-Visual-2919@reddit
This man has lived his dreams.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cx2lrkqg2vlo
UnnecessaryStep@reddit
I had a favourite parking spot in that carpark as well. Different to his. Mine was opposite the end of a row, in front the wall. I could drive straight in, still have access to my boot, and then at the end reverse straight back. Was definitely handy for my non-power steering car I had at the time.
Number60nopeas@reddit
haha brilliant!
takesthebiscuit@reddit
Tesco Car Park? Completed it mate!
AllThatIHaveDone@reddit
If you complete the whole car park, do you get to keep it?
Amazing-Visual-2919@reddit
And then you can build hotels on it !
yearsofpractice@reddit
Process is as follows:
not2daythankyou@reddit
Hear me out on this because it’s quite a novel idea.
By parking my car into one.
I know, crazy.
Chris-TT@reddit
Look at the car screen, the parking spaces are highlighted. I click on one, sit back and let the car park itself in the space! I love it
txteva@reddit
A space on the end, always. Ideally I'd use a disabled space as close to the door as possible since I need extra room opening the door due to mobility/knee issues & needing a walking stick but since blue badge's are nigh on impossible to get I'm stuck parking further away.
Never a space where a car could park next to me or I could get stuck not getting in to my car (without pain).
One of my local shops has a broken electric charger so I like using that space since I have an electric car and it has extra space next to it.
sotd1999@reddit
Always, A L W A Y S reverse, but the 'end of aisle' is my favoured spot. Either flanked by a larger, generous disabled spot, or a flower bed etc. Essentially, this gives me the opportunity to be as far over as possible, reducing (but not eliminating) the risk of public moron number one parking too close to me.
liebackandthinkofeng@reddit
I have 2 under 2, so I always look for parent and child parking. If it’s not available or the car park doesn’t have any, I look for any space that has spaces either side of it so I can get my children out without issue. It’s always Sod’s Law that someone then parks incredibly close to me on one side making it impossible to get one of my kids back in!
ShineAtom@reddit
Generally the furthest I can be from the supermarket. Forces me to walk a bit more and it's usually comparatively deserted. In town I like a parking spot with shade and/or with space to open the car door decently wide. That means one that is furthest from the pay point unless I am incredibly lucky (has happened about twice in the past 15 years) and get a spot near the pay machine.
escapingfromelba@reddit
Until you mentioned how close he was, it's very sensible to have driver doors next to each other and I've seen some car parks marked up to tell people to do that - means there's a big gap for you to both get out that isn't forcing you over to take more space when people park randomly.
Car parks seem to be like how chickens behave i.e they start in a flock rather than being alone. I try to park away from the masses to save my paintwork and more often than not someone will park right next to me despite loads of other empty spaces.
smileystarfish@reddit
An end spot where possible, or if I'm reversing in at a supermarket then it needs pavement and trolley access behind. Got kids to take out of the car and the parent and child spaces are usually taken up by overflow from the disabled spaces or middle aged men on their own in the car.
The big Tesco near me actually has the perfect parking spot, it's mostly covered so you don't get wet/stay in the shade. No one can park next to you, trolley park opposite and not too far away from the entrance.
Active_Definition_57@reddit
I like to park in a space with no-one on either side but not too isolated from everyone else.
Undrcovrcloakndaggr@reddit
It depends if I'm buying a lot of shopping or not... if I'm getting a fair amount of stuff, I'll drive in forward to allow access to the boot t store whatever I'm going to buy. If I'm not buying a bunch of stuff, I'll reverse in. I prefer spaces that don't have cars next to them, of if that's not available I choose the spot in between someone who's parked nose-in & someone who's parked nose-out, so there's no chance the driver opens their door into my car. The exception to this is if there's a car seat on the opposite side.
Morris_Alanisette@reddit
I park away from other people because I've got a wide car so I don't want to make things difficult for other people.
Then someone parks next to me every time. Humans are social animals. We like to bunch together.
Cow_Launcher@reddit
Same - I drive a late '90s coupe and the doors are quite long. I've had people in the past park so closely that I can't open them wide enough to get in, (because the initial opening is right next to the driver's seatback).
So usually, I just park miles away from the shop or whatever, where other people don't want to. I probably needed the walk anyway, so no big deal.
jaminbob@reddit
Yep. Van. Far away. Always reverse in.
regulator202@reddit
I usually just park in one of the first spaces I see. I can't be fucking about trying to find the optimal space. I've got things to do.
kitty-cat-charlotte@reddit
Away from everyone else and always an end space if possible! Always reverse park in
Budget-Economist-364@reddit
its the worst when someone pulls up just as you are about to tuck into some food. Suddenly, every swinging dick in a 10-mile radius wants to come have a look at what you've got for lunch
25_Shmecklesss@reddit
I hate this. The other day someone did this directly opposite me and then just sat there in their car. I reversed out, turned the car around and re-parked in the same spot.
4kreso@reddit
Have had this happen to me. As they turned their engine off I drove somewhere else and parked.
AmazingRedDog@reddit
I’ll take one of these spaces, thank you very much
CraigTheBrewer12@reddit
If I’m on my own then I try for an end space, so that at least only one person can park next to me, I’ve had too many door dings in the past. I’ll never park between two cars unless absolutely necessary. If there’s no end spaces free then I’ll park far away.
If I’m taking my kids out somewhere with P&C bays then I’ll use them, I open the doors for them so no danger of them flinging the door into another car but I also need room to get them into the car seats.
Bubbly_North_2180@reddit
I have a wide car and always park further away where I’m less likely to have someone park next to me. I’m also fond of my car so I’m not ashamed to say that if the car park is busy, I’ll look for the cars without kids seats in the back 😅 they’d struggle getting in and I’d end up with a dinged panel - just ain’t worth it for either of us.
Full disclaimer to add that no I wouldn’t straddle two spaces and that car parking spaces are too small for cars these days full stop. There’s also a special place in hell for people who open their doors onto others cars with no disregard or scrape between them dragging zippers.
jilljd38@reddit
Usually in a disabled bay , although it annoys me when people park in them with no blue badge and occasionally had to park in parent and child , because I've had no other choice
RopeyStingray91@reddit
Ideally an end space, as far away as possible, or there’s one car park I use that has spaces that are awkward to park in, I like those because it generally weeds out those who are incapable of parking properly.
Starlinkukbeta@reddit
I feel your pain. Had a similar situation this week, parked up in Waitrose, no one either side, car pulls in, and a rather large lady proceeds to get out and her drivers door bangs against mine. I wound my window down and asked her to be more careful. She proceeded to launch into a rant about how spaces weren’t big enough and that I should expect the odd dent because of that. I suggested she could be more selective in her choice of parking space. At which point she burst into tears.
MDL1983@reddit
I had something similar the other week. All the woman could say was ‘show some compassion’ like I’d done something wrong 😂
terryjuicelawson@reddit
I am pretty lazy really, but not in the sense of being as close as possible to the shop entrance as that is usually harder to get int. So I go a bit away, some car parks have almost forgotten areas to the side but are still nearby, you get to know those. If there are several spaces together, go in that nose first so I can swing into it without needing to line anything up. Even better if there is a space in front so you can go through and be pointing the right way.
Money-Pen8242@reddit
End space pull through, wherever possible. I park quite far from shop usually to help get my steps in for the day. My husband thinks this is sociopath behaviour.
donaldstinypeepee@reddit
End spot every time, close to the kerb to leave maximum room to the next space
bannanawaffle13@reddit
It's an entire system, firstly, what kind of parking area is it, a rural walking spot? inner city multi-storey? local supermarket? Secondly, where is the entrance, and what am I in the car park for? Am I going for a lovely stroll or going to get the weekly shop? So based on this system, I have a decision tree, so if I'm in a rural car park for a walk, I will park further from the entrance, as a few extra steps aren't an issue in this sense, and I am not worried about the f, so would rather have a more solitary experience. If I'm in a multi-storey, I will park as near to an entrance as I can and in a more populated part to reduce the chance of crime and for a speedier experience. At a supermarket, if I'm only nipping in, I'll park towards the back to give others with more shopping a speedier experience and less walking with a trolley. If I'm in a supermarket with no trolley returns, ill park closer to the entrance, as I can then put the trolley back, carry the bags and reduce the need for a return trip. I would always choose a space on its own or with a solitary partner compared to the dreaded tiny car park, three-way.
In terms of actual parking, I always reverse in, and if the space next to my drivers side is free, I reverse hard up to the left hand line, to give me more room to open my door. I'm not bothered if my door gets dinged, if there is another car that pulls in forward incorrectly, but I believe doing this enforces what to me is the superior parking option for a single car user, as I can then twirl out elegantly and not have to squeeze out. If there are two cars, I will begrudgingly park in the centre. I am not averse to trying out a space and moving if it doesn't feel right or is a bit of a squeeze, if I have other options.
I don't think it would surprise people to learn I'm autistic lol.
Potential-Bird-5826@reddit
Furthest away from the door. I don't exercise enough so a bit of extra walking is good
Dr_Gillian_McQueef@reddit
On the left up against a pillar in the multi storey.
I suck at backing in on the right.
rebelallianxe@reddit
As far from shop / office as possible. Don't mind a walk and don't want dinged doors.
Turbojelly@reddit
Closet spot I can get that gives me an easy run to the exit
Willeth@reddit
About the only decision making I do about parking is whether I can fit in the spot and whether it's shady or I set cover if it's hot or raining. Other than that it's just reverse in in the lines and go.
Ergophobe470@reddit
As far away as possible from anyone else preferably. Still often come back to my car to find some huge bloated SUV parked right next to me when the car park is practically empty. Are these the same nutters who choose to use the urinal next to me even when they don't have to?
Lifear@reddit
Depends on how close other cars are to the white line, though if there is a space next to a kerb I’ll park there.
If there are too many spaces available my brain goes into overdrive analysing every space with a two minute job turning into a four hour brain freeze!
Britkraut@reddit
Newish driver here
So priority goes:
There's a space I can literally slide in going forward
There's tonnes of spaces near the centre and there's not a massive line of cars behind me
I go the furthest away, find some interesting spots for me to practice maneuvers for a bit (then I accidentally park too close to another car and have to awkwardly squeeze out 👀)
Theallseer97@reddit
I just park wherever I can really. But if there plenty of spaces then I just go for the one that's furthest away from everyone else.
sm3g-h3ad@reddit
I like to start driving into the first available space i see as this is what triggers my wife to suggest the space she really wants.
You have to commit to driving into the space though, she won't say anything until you commit to it.
custard-powder@reddit
We must be married to the same person
Boboshady@reddit
I tend to pick a space a bit further way - my priority is actually to be near the trolley return, and to give myself more room to get out - I'm pretty fat and need to open a door more than tight spaces will sometimes allow.
Luckily my local Tesco has recently redone it's entire carpark and widened the spaces, obviously their club card tracking has told them something about the direction their customers are heading in and realised that bigger spaces will be come a point of differentiation in the near future.
But I also don't park too near the shop because it's mayhem - constant foot traffic, angry drivers who insist on zooming in and out and getting as near to the entrance as possible. Parking a bit further out is not only usually less stressful, but often quicker, especially as the way our particular car park is built, you can get into the exit queue more quickly from further back, as everyone near the entrance to the shop is queueing ni the lanes in the car park itself.
BlueFox789@reddit
How fat are we talking?
Boboshady@reddit
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u7N269eEYxJw@reddit
I had a huge people carrier which I changed for a two seat Smart car now that the kids have all grown up. I can park that car in the tiny short spaces that they have left over when planning the car parks. Most multi-storey car parks have sideways on spaces, usually at the exit ramps that nobody uses, so I park in those.
One suggestion for others who have small cars like mine is if you park in a regular space, then don’t go all the way in as it looks empty. The number of times I have thought there was a space only to find a short car in there 😁
oktimeforplanz@reddit
I would genuinely just move spaces rather than mess about trying to very carefully get out of my car in your situation!
I always favour a space that has no cars on either side at the time I'm parking.
At the supermarket, I favour ones that are near a trolley return, and for my specific supermarket, spaces that make it quick to get onto the exit road, because the way the car park is set up, there's a turn out onto the exit that you can end up sitting at for ages because it's blocked by people coming into the car park and at high risk for accidents because you can't see cars coming in very easily.
LavenderAndHoneybees@reddit
I have a 20 month old, so: space on her side of the car to get her out, ideally next to a path so it's easier to get the pram out and there's less chance of her escaping onto the road. All of the above would be made simpler if all the parent/child spaces weren't taken by entitled arseholes who think parent and child spaces are bigger spaces for your posh car.
ddmf@reddit
I always will try to park in a space next to the edge so one side of my car doesn't have a parking space next to it for this specific reason, or I'll choose a parking space further away.
A lot of people seem to need a herd though, as I'll often find a car next to mine when I return.
mattay22@reddit
I aim to find a spot fairly close to the door but not near a trolley drop-off point. A drive through is top tier, ideally with no cars on either side. If that’s not possible I’ll park next to a nice car as they’re less likely to ding me with their door.
kmaclennan@reddit
If there's shade around I'm having it. And keep a look-out for badly parked cars. I try to avoid parking next to them as they'll probably be as reckless with their doors as they are with their parking.
katspike@reddit
I choose parking spaces like I choose urinals. Minimal opportunity for contact and quick exit strategy.
60s_Child@reddit
My first area manager in my first job in sales after leaving university (roughly contemporary with the wooly mammoth) told me that parking in a space between two cars that are already parked minimises the likelihood of getting a ding. I don't know if it's true, but I've been parking like that ever since, and never had a ding (will probably get one next week now I've said that) I also either do what other commentors have called a "throughie" or reverse in, so that I'm always nose out, which minimises risk on leaving.
Opteron-X@reddit
Not on a corner space after hit and run, by van just scraping past me. Not beside any car with a booster seat Not next to a car covered in dints or scratches
Preferably a clear space either side and if not possible then next to a car(s) that looks like the owner is a car person. They won't scratch dint you as they don't want to scratch their car. Best options M series BMW or S or RS Audi, Type R Honda etc. Parking in middle of nowhere hasn't always worked well for me. You come back and there's a scratched up Citroen diagonally across the space beside you. Those with no ability to park also try and park away from others. Sometimes they need one other car as a reference or they can't hit the space.
Ok_Introduction_1882@reddit
Just somewhere i can get into easily in an SUV and hopefully fairly near the trolley park ? corrall? thingy so I don't have to walk too far.
SorbetNo7877@reddit
If the car park is very empty I end up very badly parked as my brain tries to park in a number of different spots simultaneously. It is unable (in the short space of time that I'm driving across the car park) to successfully calculate the pros and cons of all available spaces and arrive at which is factually the best space out of all the near-identical ones.
However, spots next to cars would be immediately discounted so the guy in your example is just plain weird! (Yes I'm aware of the irony)
GrouchPotato00@reddit
That’s some psychotic behaviour by the other guy. It’s like going to the urinal next a guy when you could leave a space as there’s one free at the other end!
Emergency_Wealth7778@reddit
He was probably too embarrassed to pull out and try again or find somewhere else
t8ne@reddit
Away from anybody else, and never near where anybody would try to drive through and mess up the corner…
That cost around £5k to sort. Luckily managed to get the arsehole who looked at the damage but walked off…
Alternative_Route@reddit
Does he park near you often? a colleague and I do this occasionally as we will be careful not to ding each other and it reduces the number of cars that might park next to us during the day and gives them more room, hoping to reduce people dinging our cars.
Wise-Independence487@reddit
For work, I park higher up the multi story and get the space next to the disabled bays. Extra door
Swinging room and as it’s higher much quieter
Herne_KZN@reddit
1) Deepest shade.
2) At least one empty bay to nearest car.
3) Best access to my boot when I’ve backed in
ImColinDentHowzTrix@reddit
Not sure if it's relevant but learner drivers are taught to use other cars as a 'reference point', which means we've conditioned a whole group of people to use other cars as a kind of context clue. I think there are drivers who genuinely struggle parking in an empty bay because there isn't another car to 'line up with'. It seemed silly to me when I was learning and even more so now I'm on the road. Any time someone does what that man did to you I always wonder if they've not long passed and were using me as a reference.
cleb9200@reddit
Absolutely have a method.
Optimal outcome is nothing either side, reverse in with lines equal distance from either side of car, dead centre. (Lame flex I know but I’m really good at parking with OCD like precision.
Morrisons doesn’t usually afford my such luxury so in any event of parking between two cars I look for precision in the vehicles either side. If they’ve gone in forwards and are all off axis and giving abandoned energy I avoid because that’s usually a tell re how much care they take getting in and out given they can’t be arsed to park properly.
Also try to avoid slotting between plot gobbling SUVs or badly beaten up motors. Sports cars are a good bet; generally smaller floor plan and the owners are more likely to he meticulous about not bashing doors
flight147z@reddit
Away from other cars if possible and I also try to get a space that only has a space on one side to reduce risk of getting my car bashed by another car as far as possible
CanWeNapPlease@reddit
Preferably a space that has empty space on both sides, or farther away for extra steps. Our cars aren't boring (but not expensive either), and we don't trust people.
Eskoala@reddit
Easiest to park in. I can walk further with no issue so I just drive into the nearest space. I can reverse-park into a tight space if I have to but I don't wanna.
kipha01@reddit
I ride a motorbike, so where ever there is space, my wife on the other hand if she sees loads of spaces she glitches and doesn't know which one to pick.
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
Usually some empty part of the car park away from other vehicles.
Failing that, a spot where there is a free space to my left but something to my offside, as I know I won't be parking too close.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I look for an end space or one with a non parking space next to it, the end of a row of disabled bays, the footpath, the road etc are all decent options where I can use the empty space to open the door
DeifniteProfessional@reddit
People who choose to park next to other cars deserve a spanking.
I recall very vividly late last year going for a very late shopping trip to Tesco. I came out and sat in my car eating a scotch egg, as you do, and this car pulls in the empty spot next to me. And then I look around and realise the entire car park is empty, except for now 7 or 8 cars all in a row on the same row. And what gets me about this is there were closer spots to the shop on the other side, yet people are just piling up vertically so they were next to another car. Who the fuck does this?
CapnSeabass@reddit
First choice is the parent and child bay closest to the trolley return. Reverse park in every time because it’s the ✨safest✨. If no P&C spaces, then I look for a space with room on the passenger side so I can get my toddler out.
discoveredunknown@reddit
Don’t mind parking further out to have a small walk because of the lack of respect and care by general population and having my car dinked before.
Actively avoid parking next to what look like family cars.
zombiezmaj@reddit
The second he cleared his awkward slide past the cars Id have started up my car and moved.
I reverse park into a space and if possible where there's a verge to the drivers side and park round next to the verge so I step out onto it. Gives extra buffer zone the passenger side of my car and guarantees ease of entering on drivers side
Klichouse@reddit
Wife sits in the passenger seat with a ouija board
Antique_Location_514@reddit
either one i can go in head first but pull to the spot in front so it looks like i did a really good reverse park ORRRR one that’s got enough space either side for me to reverse park… although sometimes i do remember ive got a small car and can fit anywhere so just the first spot i can find
insertitherenow@reddit
First space I pass as long as it’s not next to a piece of junk.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
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Ivy_Sinclaire@reddit
Something I can reverse into, ideally with no one parked against my drivers side. If that's not possible then reverse in with my passenger side against an adjacent passenger side so I can park close as I like without feeling guilty the driver can't get into his car
TooMuchMotorsport@reddit
First choice is the far side of the car park where I'm least likely to have someone park next to me ideally an end space so I can park right on the edge and have more space.
Inevitable-Aide684@reddit
I’m am so bad at parking it’s just whatever space I feel I can get into!!
Dreadheaddanski@reddit
First empty spot
Larvesta_Harvesta@reddit
I park nose first, adjacent to the driver side of a car that has reversed in, and try to achieve extended eye contact with the driver next to me 👍
Postik123@reddit
I look for a space that is right at the back miles from anyone else. Or find a space where parking next to me would be awkward, or find one of those random spaces that has loads of space next to it. Or even better, find a quiet side street to park on. I very, very rarely park next to anyone. Too many parking dings over the years.
ConsiderMyTimbers@reddit
It's all a out vibes at the time. Find one that feels good and go for it.
Past-Obligation1930@reddit
I park as close to the store as I can, without using disabled or parent and child spaces. Sometimes in Lidl, if the car park is rammed, I will put the car on to charge since the charging spots are close to the store.
OnlymyOP@reddit
I don't even think about it and just park in the first available space I can.
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