Backing Into Parking Spaces

[Ennis Snavely]

I think this subject us inherently political; the only people who do this are Republican motherf**kers with SUVs, pickups or Lexi. PEOPLE WHO DO THIS TOTALLY F**KING ANNOY ME AND I WANT TO F**KING KILL ALL OF THEM. THIS IS THE STUPIDIST, MOST MORONIC UN-CALLED-FOR BULLSHIT I CAN THINK OF, SHORT OF INVADING A COUNTRY UNDER FALSE PRETENSES (I.E. LYING). IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO DOES THIS THEN EAT SH*T AND DIE. I HATE YOU!

[Uli]

If this includes backing into the space while parallel parking you can both hate me now and be right because I am an foreign mutherf**ker.

I'm actually very disappointed that Finch isn't the one who started this thread.

[Ennis Snavely]

Originally Posted by Uli

If this includes backing into the space while parallel parking you can both hate me now and be right because I am an foreign mutherf**ker.

Please note: this does not include parallel parking. This only applies to parking lots. So sorry for the confusion.

[lynn]

Does this include the opportunistic drive-through technique? I think this is a smart option. I might add that I don't drive any of the above mentioned autos. I despise the trucks on steriods and duelies. They should be outlawed.

[Ennis Snavely]

Originally Posted by lynn

Does this include the opportunistic drive-through technique?

No. Just stopping in the middle of a lot and backing into a space.

[Enforcer]

No argument from me. It should be a ticketable offense. Let's follow the thought patterns of a person who backs into a parking space.

"Hey, there's one. Yeah, that's a good spot. Let me go ahead and park here. Well, I'm out here in this big space and I'm going to maneuver my car into a really small space. I guess I probably want to do that in reverse, looking over my shoulder and checking the mirrors to make sure I pull in straight and don't hit the adjacent cars. Yeah. And that way, when I have to pull out into this big open space again, I'll be doing it in drive instead of reverse. Because that's the part I'm worried about, so it's better that I do it moving forward. Yeah."

[Darryl G. Thomas]

I've never done it because it's a pain in the ass to aim your car that way but here's a couple of reasons why you might back in:

While backing out, ever almost hit someone walking? Yeah, they should be watching out for cars but people pushing shopping carts are kind of oblivious.

While backing out, ever almost hit a car passing by? Some chick in an SUV drilled me once doing this. She pulled out without seeing me coming. Minor dent (she was driving an SUV, me an '87 T-Bird).

My pet peeve? You're trying to back out of a parking space and you're parked between two humongous SUVs. We're talking Ford Expedition or Chevy Suburban. You can't see jack until you're halfway out of the space and you've got a Cadillac Escalade barreling your way. (I've got this thing against SUVs which I feel are the spawn of the Devil.)

[Enforcer]

Darryl,

Those are valid points. But let me add another to the list of reasons why people should not do it: The door dings are worse. If all the cars park facing the same way (and most people do pull into spaces driving forward), then the moldings on the doors of cars generally meet when a door is opened too far or the wind blows it into another car's door. The results is rubber on rubber or rubber on metal contact, no damage. But when a car is parked facing the opposite way, it f**ks everything up. The door opens into a rear fender or something and you get a ding.

Motherf**kers.

[Uli]

the best thing to do, imho is to park the end of the line if there are no cars there. you get the best of both worlds. you don;t have to back in and you don't have to back out you just cross into the next lane, with approppriate caution, of course

[Jazzzoline]

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Darryl,

Those are valid points. But let me add another to the list of reasons why people should not do it: The door dings are worse. If all the cars park facing the same way (and most people do pull into spaces driving forward), then the moldings on the doors of cars generally meet when a door is opened too far or the wind blows it into another car's door. The results is rubber on rubber or rubber on metal contact, no damage. But when a car is parked facing the opposite way, it f**ks everything up. The door opens into a rear fender or something and you get a ding.

Motherf**kers.

What's wrong with dings?

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Ever own a new car?

[Coda]

John Kerry drives a SUV. Well, technically he pays someone to drive his SUV. They usually double park here in Boston.

[Jazzzoline]

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

Ever own a new car?

you mean the shiny thing one drives from the car dealer?
yes.
Remained new for about 24 hours.

[Enforcer]

Jazzzy, I just want you to know that I'd never get mad at you for backing into me.

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

My pet peeve? You're trying to back out of a parking space and you're parked between two humongous SUVs. We're talking Ford Expedition or Chevy Suburban. You can't see jack until you're halfway out of the space and you've got a Cadillac Escalade barreling your way. (I've got this thing against SUVs which I feel are the spawn of the Devil.)

Man, you absolutely fucking nailed it!!

Some of you already know that I drive a very small car. I swear on my mothers grave that EVERY single time I have ever parked it in a public parking lot when I come out there are either SUV's or minivans on both sides of me making it a complete leap of faith to let the clutch out with the reverse gear engaged.

[Dr Dave]

I back into parking spaces because you never know when you might want to leave in a hurry.

If I have to park between an Escalade and a Suburban, I try to have enough in my bladder so I can leave a little gift for each of them.

[Ennis Snavely]

In my drinking days I regularly backed into parking spaces (especially if it was up at the head of a "holler" somewhere). I was taught this trick to avoid trouble when leaving a party when you are shit-faced. That is the ONLY reason to ever back in to a space.

AHA!!!!

Busted, Snavely.

What a fucking hypocrite!

[patricia]

I work for an insurance/investment counselor and he NEVER parks any other way but by backing into the parking space. He tells me that everyone should park that way because you can see what's in your path when you leave the parking space.
I try to tell him that people aren't expecting him to back into the space, so they get angry when he stops, turns and then goes into the space, but I must admit that he has a point about the leaving part.

[Chaz Longue]

That's a BINGO, Patricia.

People will be impatient with you for parallel parking too, but that doesn't mean it's not the only way to park. Backing into spaces is very smart, even if it doesn't make you the life of the party. It's people who follow so close that it matters who are the problem. Word. Backing in makes sense for the same reason backing onto a 4 lane secondary road is stupid and illegal. Try the decaf, Snavely.

Here are two things that flabbergast me:
1) People crossing lanes and parking facing the wrong way. That means that to leave the space, they have to drive across that near lane ACROSS TRAFFIC. Where I live, it's not a ticketable offence to PARK this way, but it is to leave the space you've parked in thus. These are the same people who will drive 3 blocks and spend half an hour looking for a space...rather than walking. Morons.
2) Parking right next to other cars when there's space to park elsewhere. I can be the only car in a 200+ space lot, and some moron will park so close to me I can't get my crap out of the car. Snuggle right up and make me take my snowboard out of the OTHER side of the car... make me hold my freakin' breath to get in on the driver's side. peckerwoods.

Let's make it an even 3: Tailgaters. There's simply no excuse for being close enough to me to hit me if I stand on the brakes. In fact I may stand on my brakes just to make you back off. If you're wondering whether you are too close to me ...back off. And if you halve the distance by pulling in in front of me and slowing down, be prepared for me to introduce you to my high beams. I'm sick of replacing my windshield, dammit. Mouthbreathers.

Leave extra space this time of year, because if I'm not snowboarding, skiing or spending time with the family ... (but instead dodging you on the highway) I'm in a bad mood. That's an extra car length.

Happy freakin' holidays.

[Ennis Snavely]

Lounge: I'm with you on the tailgators...

[Chaz Longue]

I've taken to carrying a small flask of weasel pee with me on every drive. It sits snugly in my little cupholder - which is too small for my he-man sized cup o' joe anyway. When some MAsshole pulls up behind me...out the wing-window it goes.

Actually, since I stopped driving my little Peugeot 404, I really miss those little wing windows.


sigh...

[clinthopson]

I hate them goddam Republicans who stop at a signal two car lengths behind the car in front of them so I can't get into the left turn lane.

Often them Republican bastards are talking on their goddam cell phones too.

Goddam 'em!

[Ennis Snavely]

Originally Posted by Chaz Longue

I've taken to carrying a small flask of weasel pee with me on every drive. It sits snugly in my little cupholder - which is too small for my he-man sized cup o' joe anyway. When some MAsshole pulls up behind me...out the wing-window it goes.

Actually, since I stopped driving my little Peugeot 404, I really miss those little wing windows.


sigh...

Weasel pee?

[Gary Sisco]

How else does one parallel park but by backing in?

That's how I was taught to do it, late 60s, in my old man's Plymouth and a -- gasp -- VW in drivers' ed class.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Ennis Snavely

Weasel pee?

Chaz is fabulously rich, so can afford the rare and highly stinky weasel pee. For the rest of us, cat pee works just as well. Just fill up the little flask and keep it in your cupholder for allaying murderous intentions, as Chaz instructed.

[Ennis Snavely]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

How else does one parallel park but by backing in?

That's how I was taught to do it, late 60s, in my old man's Plymouth and a -- gasp -- VW in drivers' ed class.

You're missing the whole scenario. THis refers not to parallel parking but to thr practice of stopping dead in the middle of an aisle in a parking lot and backing into an open space. Don't tell me you do that Gary. I don't want to have to open up a can of "whup-ass" on you, half-pint.

[Gary Sisco]

No, you're safe, there, Snave. I've never encountered the practice, actually. Thanfully, even. I can't imagine even why one would do it.

[Ennis Snavely]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

No, you're safe, there, Snave. I've never encountered the practice, actually. Thanfully, even. I can't imagine even why one would do it.

Must be a South-of-the-Mason-Dixon kind of thing. You Yankees gots too much sense and are too considerate.