Pet Peeves: Parking

These are all examples of incivility, something we have no shortage of here in the U.S.
—  My favorite is riding as a passenger listening to the driver talk about needing more excise, then watching him or her circle the parking lot and hold up traffic waiting to park in a space as close as possible to the building they intend to enter. Walking is exercise. Try it. If you are in fair shape and without medical problems, why not park farther away and leave the closer spots to those who need them? 

—  I tire watching drivers of large SUVs back their buses into spaces too tight. Now that’s holding up traffic. Attempt 1, Attempt 2, Attempt 3 . . . Reminds me of someone trying on pants two sizes too small. I’ve had my car dented twice by such drivers.

—  Don’t park in a handicapped space unless you or one of your passengers is handicapped. Despite what you think, the world doesn't revolve around you.  Don't be so self-absorbed.

—  Don’t park next to someone when there are plenty of parking spaces away from other cars.  I’m someone who parks away from the maddening crowd, all by my lonesome, whenever possible.  I like it that way.  No banging of doors against other cars; no tight fits.  Yet countless times I have returned to find someone has parked next to me even though there are plenty of open spaces.  Why do that?  Is your thinking that parking next to someone reduces the chances of getting dinged by another parker?  And so what if you ding him?  

-- I once parked in a parking garage only to return to find someone had parked so close to me that I couldn't open the door.  I had to enter through the passenger side and hop the console and stick shift.  What's with that?

 Driver:  I can fit in here.  

 Passenger: But you only have an inch on either side.

 Driver: Plenty of room.  We can get out through the moon roof.

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