Question about parking lot feedback that actually changed someone's habits

I saw a note on my windshield last Thursday after I parked a little close to the line at a Home Depot lot. The note said "learn to park" and it got me thinking about whether tight spots or far away spots are worse for everyone. Some people say backing in is the only way to avoid this, but I think pulling through is faster. Which side makes you less likely to mess up other people's space, the angle or the speed? Has anyone else changed how they park after getting called out?

3 comments

3 Comments

vera_palmer10d ago

Oh wow, backing in is actually safer for this exact reason. When you pull through you're guessing where your rear end is gonna swing out, and that's how you end up door dinging someone. Backing in lets you see exactly where your tires are relative to the line. I started doing it after I got a note too, some grumpy old guy called me out for blocking a cart return lane. Stung but he was right. Now I never get notes anymore and it takes me the same amount of time once you get used to it.

lopez.jana1d ago

My buddy Dave used to pull through every spot at the grocery store and one day he came back to find his driver's door completely smashed in. Someone in a big truck tried to back out of a spot next to him and apparently swiped right into his car. The worst part was the truck driver didn't leave a note, just took off. Dave spent like six hundred bucks on a deductible and a rental car for a week. Now he backs into every spot and says he feels way more in control of where his car ends up. Honestly that story made me switch too, nobody wants to deal with that mess.

diana_black9d ago

Parked like a total jerk for years until someone left a note telling me I drive like I'm blindfolded, and @vera_palmer is right - backing in fixes everything. Took me three tries to parallel park last week and I still think I nailed it.