Poll: Parking: Closest spot or First you see?

[happyninja42]

Random curiosity I had the other day when parking.

I usually just find a spot away from the main cluster of parked cars, and park and walk the rest of the way. I've noticed some people who drive up and down the aisles looking for the closest spot, end up taking more time than if they just parked near the back of the rows and walked.

So was curious which type of parking habits were common.

What's yours?

 

[lee1287]

I just passed, few months back, i try to avoid parking near anyone, for fear of hitting things! Aha.

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

It depends on a variety of factors, such as: Is it raining? How full is the carpark? etc.

If the park is full, obviously I'm going to go for the first space I see. If it's raining, I'll try to park closer to the building entrance.

This, for sure. And especially on the rare occasion that I'm out driving during a snowstorm (Honda Civics aren't good for that sort of thing).

If there's no weather or even if it's only sprinkling, I'll park in the first space I see. After all, putzing around trying to find something closer could take as much time as simply walking the extra distance, and I like sneaking in a little bit of extra exercise. Since I don't have mobility issues, I like to leave closer spaces for people who do, out of courtesy.

Now, if it's the grocery store, I park as far away as I can because of idiots leaving their carts all over the place, those assholes who have no respect for other people's vehicles.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

After working for a grocery store and doing carts for several months, I can't park in the back because I know it absolutely pissed me off whenever someone would park in the back, because that meant I had to go all the way to the back to grab the cart. I have to park as close as I can.

 

[shootthebandit]

I just passed, few months back, i try to avoid parking near anyone, for fear of hitting things! Aha.

I avoid parking near anyone for fear of people like you hitting me

Seriously though. Im the douche with the douchey car (it has a stupid rear spoiler, red brake calipers and sport decals) who parks miles away from everyone else so I dont get my car dinked. You'd be surprised at how many people in supermarkets have no consideration for other peoples cars and just slam their door open after parking too close to you. Now you have to squeeze into your car and its also got a big gouge from someones door.

If you consider your car to be just a runner that gets you from A to B also take into consideration that a lot of other people take good care of their cars and you should respect that

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I think a 2 or 3 block radius is good enough to start looking for a spot.

 

[shootthebandit]

idiots leaving their carts all over the place, those assholes who have no respect for other people's vehicles.

these cunts in addition to the door slammers are why I park 3 galaxies away from the door. People who let their trolley (what we call a cart in britain) roll into your car are the worst or when they leave it in a space so you have to get out the car to move it while you are still parking. I genuinely believe that as soon as people get to the supermarket they immediate forget they are human

Honda Civics aren't good for that sort of thing

They should be ok. They are front wheel drive and relatively low power/torque. I know you americans love big powerful rear wheel drive cars (which really wont to well in the snow) so the civic shouldnt be too bad compared to most american cars

P.s is it a civic type R?

 

[Queen Michael]

I usually park really close to the entrance. That way, the rest of the crew can get in much quicker, and we've got a better chance of ditching the fuzz.

 

[DANEgerous]

Generally the first spot I can pull through as it is just so much easier to get out, I never got the desire to save what is likely about 30 steps.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

I try to get relatively close, but I won't be one of those idiots spending five minutes driving around just to avoid thirty seconds of extra walking.

 

[babinro]

Typically near the back.
Gives me an excuse to walk a little which is always nice.

At a grocery store I always park near the cart return for efficiency reasons. I realize that directly contradicts my parking in the back statement but that's just the way it is.

 

[Username Redacted]

None of the options given quit fit with my driving behavior. My car is black and as such I will, regardless of how close or far from my destination this will put me, gravitate towards the best shaded area to park.

 

[FPLOON]

I always park in the parking spaces that rarely get "first dibs" in general...

Results may very from there... especially if I've never been to the parking lot in question...

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Having had my car damn near totaled by an asshole who backed into me while parked (he was in the parking spot in front of mine and he chose to back into my car without looking), I always park away from people as I've no trouble walking a bit longer. I also look for shaded spots because it is Florida and usually the shady spots aren't near the building for some reason. If it happens to rain, I've got an umbrella handy (nice big golf umbrella) so unless there's heavy winds I'm pretty good. Also if there's heavy wind and rain I usually don't drive unless it is an emergency because people seem to be a shitload dumber in inclement weather.

 

[lacktheknack]

I aim for any spot that lets me pull all the way through so that my car can move forward out of its spot rather than reversing.

Usually, this means parking in that area where the cars thin out, since I rarely go anywhere that has a completely full parking lot.

 

[MysticSlayer]

First Priority: Shade. Considering I live in Florida, letting the car sit for a while will make it almost too hot to drive comfortably. Unfortunately, shade is normally not available, considering so many people go after it when it is available unless it is a shaded spot far away from the door.

After that, it depends on a lot of factors. In crowded parking lots, I tend to park away from everyone or just go to a side lot. If it is raining, then I try to get as close as possible. If it is just a "normal" day, then I try to get close, but I'm not really concerned with getting the closest spot. Actually, I probably spend more time trying to park next to the cart return than I do trying to get as close as possible. It serves as a nice reference point when finding the car, and I don't have to walk far to return the cart.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I prefer to park quickly instead of hunting for 'the closest spot'. I don't mind walking a bit after I park and I like parking somewhat away from people to avoid my car being bopped by some jerk's car-door. That being said though, I'm not going to pass up a closer spot if I see one.

 

[Bertylicious]

If it's busy I tend to take the Jimmy Saville approach and just go with whatever I can get my hands on, otherwise I strive for rockstar parking by the entrance.