He tried to steal my parking spot!!!!

[minniepumpernickel]

Run, get away from those people! Some of the "spot stealers" are crazy! A lady did this to me, and also wanted to fight about it. (physically) She looked like she actually could've beaten me up!

 

[Chicago526]

So, being rude/impolite/inconsiderate is acceptable behavior when attempting to teach civility to someone else?

This is a losing situation for everyone involved. Sure, you got "your" parking space, but at what price? JMO, but a parking space is not worth that price. And I doubt the person who drove off will change their behavior as a result of this incident.

Well, I don't think refusing to let someone cut in front of me is rude, myself. The guy who witnessed the whole thing is the one that argued with the would-be spot stealer, and all he was doing was calling someone on bad (and dangerous, he was speeding in a crowed parking lot) behavior. And since all this finished by the time the woman was ready to pull out of the spot, she was in know way inconvienanced.

My only option was to A) back up illegally and possible hit someone behind me (and I would have been at fault, you aren't supposed to back up. I found this out the hard way about 12 years ago) or B) refuse to back up and wait for the guy infront of me to give up and go away.

So my behavior was fine. Now, the witness who yelled at the other driver, I don't think he was being rude, either, but I guess that's subject to interpretation.

 

[babar]

So, being rude/impolite/inconsiderate is acceptable behavior when attempting to teach civility to someone else?

This is a losing situation for everyone involved. Sure, you got "your" parking space, but at what price? JMO, but a parking space is not worth that price. And I doubt the person who drove off will change their behavior as a result of this incident.

whew, that was funny....oh, i'm sorry, you're serious?

This was a funny post and a story we can all relate to, quit trying to turn it into something it's not.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Oh please. So, why is it so wrong to be rude to rude people. You can't teach other people "civility". So, I see no reason to let them stomp all over you. I have no problem with the people on this thread who refused to move thier car and relenquish "thier" space. I'd say you're more likely to curb someone's rude behavior by fighting back rather then letting them win.

There is appropriately assertive behavior, such as refusing to move one's car after parking and there is returning rude behavior for rude behavior (such as telling someone to get lost if they're trying to take your parking spot).

Returning rude behavior for rude behavior only adds to and intensifies the cycle of rudeness. I would suggest that we need to find a way to stop the cycle. Some of what has been reported on here is just immature behavior. We'd punish our children for doing things like that to their peers, but we nearly applaud it in adults.

And we wonder why the general civility in society has so rapidly evaporated? Maybe it's time for everyone to take a step back and determine how we can break the cycle of rudeness before it overcomes us.

 

[Chicago526]

There is appropriately assertive behavior, such as refusing to move one's car after parking and there is returning rude behavior for rude behavior (such as telling someone to get lost if they're trying to take your parking spot).

Returning rude behavior for rude behavior only adds to and intensifies the cycle of rudeness. I would suggest that we need to find a way to stop the cycle. Some of what has been reported on here is just immature behavior. We'd punish our children for doing things like that to their peers, but we nearly applaud it in adults.

And we wonder why the general civility in society has so rapidly evaporated? Maybe it's time for everyone to take a step back and determine how we can break the cycle of rudeness before it overcomes us.

I understand your point, I really do. I just don't agree with it.

It's your right to turn the other cheek, and I don't condem you for it. But I also don't think you'll accomplish your goal of "breaking the cycle". It will only encourage people like that to keep behaving the same way. Not letting him have the space at least has a chance of making him think twice about pulling that again.

So, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[TinkerBellz33]

Tigger Magic~haven't you ever heard the expression "taste of their own medicine"? Yes a bit childish, and immature, but it usually works. I have had a lot of rude people actually apologize to me for their rude behavior by pointing it out to them. Sometimes they are so wrapped up in their own little world that they don't even know what they are doing...By not doing anything, they are just going to continue it over and over. You can enjoy being a doormat, but i for one, will not be walked all over...
***By the way, I looooooooove that scene in Fried Green Tomatoes!!! To Wanda!!!!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Tigger Magic~haven't you ever heard the expression "taste of their own medicine"? Yes a bit childish, and immature, but it usually works. I have had a lot of rude people actually apologize to me for their rude behavior by pointing it out to them. Sometimes they are so wrapped up in their own little world that they don't even know what they are doing...By not doing anything, they are just going to continue it over and over. You can enjoy being a doormat, but i for one, will not be walked all over...
***By the way, I looooooooove that scene in Fried Green Tomatoes!!! To Wanda!!!!

You missed my point. It's not about resorting to an immature response ("taste of their own medicine"). All that does is feed the cycle of rudeness and keep it growing. By acting rudely toward someone who initiated the rude behavior, one is not teaching them anything except that rude behavior begets rude behavior. It's sort of like teaching a child not to hit their playmates by hitting them. To me that doesn't make a lot of sense.

As I said before, it is appropriate to act assertively, but not aggressively, in situations like this. It is possible to address the rude behavior of another person, but do so with civility. By nipping the rude behavior cycle before it starts, one demonstrates their own decorum while at the same time making a polite effort to defuse and resolve a stressful situation. That is not being a doormat; it is acting in an appropriately assertive manner.

 

[peachgirl]

So, being rude/impolite/inconsiderate is acceptable behavior when attempting to teach civility to someone else?

If it's not acceptable, why are you doing it?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

If it's not acceptable, why are you doing it?

Since when did it become rude to express one's opinions?

 

[mrsdon]

Ok..
Im a doormat and would have given up the spot all the while resenting him for being a jerk and me for giving into rude behavior,
Then I try and remember that its not a big deal and wont change my life significantly.

 

[jgmklmhem]

Since when did it become rude to express one's opinions?

Expressing opinions is one thing but when those opinions critisize someone elses behavior as was done to the OP then it becomes rude as well. The OP didn't ask if what she did was appropriate. Being the manners police can be just as rude as the original offence.

 

[Chicago526]

Don't worry, Tiger_Magic, I don't agree with your opinion, but I don't think you were rude about it!!!!

And I don't think those that think you were rude, are rude either!

There is no rudeness going on here!

 

[Tinkim]

Well, one time i was waiting for a spot while the people were packing up their car...all the sudden, coming down the wrong way, comes a pick up truck with a couple of young punks in it...
When the car i was waiting for pulled out, he had enough room and zipped right in...all the while laughing at me...I thought to myself "mr. you caught me on the wrong day"...
Being that i'm deathly afraid of birds, i notice when they are close by, big or small...So, flying above me were a bunch of those seagulls...i suddenly got an evil grin on my face and after they walked in, i took the french fries i had been eating and threw them in the bed of his truck...Immediately it was full of these birds eating the fries and as i watched (from a safe distance cause they scare me to death) i see them also pooping all over the truck...

Now, i know i may be bashed for this but when they get out of their car and they are saying "ahhhh, too bad lady" and stuff like that, i was really angry...
Was it very immature??? ABSOLUTELY!! But i felt 110% better and it's not like i did something that did permanant damage...THe only thing i regret is not seeing their faces when they came out and saw all the bird crap all over the truck...and believe me, it was all over....

 

[MrSpencer]

While I completely understand the frustration you experienced, I doubt that Miss Manners would approve of everyone's behavior in this situation.

Manners, Schmanners. Good for you for taking a stand, and good for the passer-by for sticking up for you.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Wow, and it's not even Christmas!

 

[simba928]

Well, one time i was waiting for a spot while the people were packing up their car...all the sudden, coming down the wrong way, comes a pick up truck with a couple of young punks in it...
When the car i was waiting for pulled out, he had enough room and zipped right in...all the while laughing at me...I thought to myself "mr. you caught me on the wrong day"...
Being that i'm deathly afraid of birds, i notice when they are close by, big or small...So, flying above me were a bunch of those seagulls...i suddenly got an evil grin on my face and after they walked in, i took the french fries i had been eating and threw them in the bed of his truck...Immediately it was full of these birds eating the fries and as i watched (from a safe distance cause they scare me to death) i see them also pooping all over the truck...

Now, i know i may be bashed for this but when they get out of their car and they are saying "ahhhh, too bad lady" and stuff like that, i was really angry...
Was it very immature??? ABSOLUTELY!! But i felt 110% better and it's not like i did something that did permanant damage...THe only thing i regret is not seeing their faces when they came out and saw all the bird crap all over the truck...and believe me, it was all over....

That is hilarious!! You are giving me ideas! If I were you though, I would have sat and waited for them to come back. The look on their faces would have been worth the wait.

Tigger_Magic : This was meant to be a fun, innocent thread. Yes, some things were immature and everyone here knows it. If you don't agree with it, fine, but you don't have to criticize people. I don't think you were being rude, though.

 

[alliecats]

This is a losing situation for everyone involved. Sure, you got "your" parking space, but at what price? JMO, but a parking space is not worth that price. And I doubt the person who drove off will change their behavior as a result of this incident.

Is this a joke post? Not being sarcastic, truly wondering! Because I don't know what you mean by "at what price"? Was anyone hurt? (No) Was the lady who was loading her car inconvenienced? (No) Did the guy who sped through the parking lot full of pedestrians and children need a talking-to? (Absolutely). Was this same guy rewarded for his bad, dangerous behavior by getting to "steal" the spot? (No) Should he have been? (Hell no!) Is there any lasting negative result of this incident? (OF COURSE NOT) Did anyone have to pay a "price" as the result of this incident (Not that I can see!)

You would not worry over a parking place, that is clear, and good for you--too bad everyone is not this way. But I don't see any shameful price being paid here, for you to wonder if it was "worth" it. With all due respect, I think you are blowing this out of proportion. No one got hurt, and the guy learned a lesson. Whether he will retain it, is not the issue. You drive like an idiot in a crowded parking lot and get a lecture for it, that's karma in action.

OP, good story! That is what that fool gets for acting an ***.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I am most likely in the minority here, but I honestly don't feel that it's "YOUR" parking space until your car is actually IN the space.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the person who "stole YOUR space" has actually been driving around the lot several minutes longer than YOU looking for a spot to park?

IMHO the parking space belongs to whoever parks their car INTO it first.

That being said, many times I've been at the mall and take packages out to my car and then go back inside to continue shopping and someone will be sitting there waiting to take my space. Sorry, I'm not leaving.

 

[roseprincess]

Things like this don't usually happen to me...

On Saturday, my mom and I needed to go to Woodfield Mall (one of the largest in the US, but also serves as the 'local' mall) to run a few wedding related errands. Of course, the place is packed from all the back-to-school shoppers, so it's hard to find a spot. Woodfield has their parking lot rows angled so that they are one way only, so I'm driving 'up' towards the mall when I spot a lady loading her bags into her trunk. Bingo! I pull over a little to the right so traffic behind me can get around while I wait for her to leave (this is common practice around here).

The car behind me suddenly hits the gas, comes flying around me, cuts in front of me and turns HIS signal on. HE'S TRYING TO STEAL MY SPOT!!!

Normally I'm not the confrontational type, but this is just too much. He wound up right behind the woman, blocking her in. Before he can back up to let her out, I pull up on his bumper (actually I didn't need to pull up that far) so he can't back up. I roll down the window and yell, "Hey, that's MY spot, now get lost". He of course, totally ignores me and just sits there.

Now, there's no way he can get the spot, because the lady can't leave until he moves. And I'm happy to sit there all day until he moves (the lady was STILL loading her car, so this wasn't inconvienancing her at all).

Well, a big, tough, male passer-by saw all of this, walks up to the offending driver, and starts chewing him out over stealing a spot from two women and speeding down a parking lot where people with kids are walking. After a couple of minutes of them yelling back and forth, the guy who tried to steal the spot decides it isn't worth it (plus he can't back up anyway) and takes off. By the time all this is over, the woman has finally loaded all 100 of her bags, put her kid in the car seat, folding her stroller and put THAT in the trunk, and was ready to pull out.

I wish I could have thanked the guy who came to our aid, but by the time I parked, he was long gone.

So, I guess I won one for the polite, considerate people of the world!

Good for you! I live a couple of miles from Woodfield. I don't even bother going there. I hate the parking there. Way too crowded inside Woodfield and the parking lot. If I have to go to Penneys or Sears, I prefer to go to Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. Just an extra 5-10 min drive for me.
I also read last week that John's Garage(restaurant in Woodfield) closed down. John's Garage had been there, I think around 30 years? They got booted out by upper management at Woodfield. Not happy about that, either.

In my opinion, they are just overbuilding around Woodfield and Schaumburg in general. Way too many restaurants and stores in the vacinity of Woodfield( talking about a mile or two from Woodfield all the way to Woodfield).

Glad everything went ok with the parking situation for you.

 

[christineann]

I am going to start keeping a baggie of cookies or something similar in my car for the seagulls. If you feed them, they will come.