Saving a parking spot at the mall

[Minnie824]

So DH & I were at the mall this weekend (Woodfield, for you Chicago people, to get a better understanding). It was very crowded as we expected. I drove down one aisle and saw a woman standing near a car. I assumed they just parked and kept going. Drove down the next aisle, saw someone leaving the store walking down aisle number 1, so I went back to my initial aisle. So this woman was STILL there, looking around, just standing there. I saw the people going to their car, got in my spot to wait, put my blinker on, and a car pulled up behind me. I then realized this woman was there saving a parking spot for the person behind me! I have never seen a person save a parking spot by standing there!! It ended up that another spot opened in the same row, I took that, we got in the store and the other people were STILL there waiting for the 1st parking spot.

DH said, what would you do, run her over? Obviously not, but I said she would have had to move, because my car would not have moved for her friend/spouse's car. I mean, did she really think she could scope out a parking spot and save it by standing there? Jeez. Anyway, just wanted to vent and see if anyone has seen anything like that before.

 

[Disfan1]

I have only heard about that happening around the holidays, not in June. Weird.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I mean, did she really think she could scope out a parking spot and save it by standing there?

Apparently, she did and she did.

I've never seen that kind of thing before, but if that's what people want to do, then fine by me. I have seen people coming from the opposite direction where I've been waiting for a spot, but they have first access because of the direction the car in the parking spot pulls out, so they've taken it. It's happened rarely, but I'm not about to challenge anyone on that...if they're that bold and inconsiderate, they're probably nuts all around and I'm not about to let them see how pissed I am, or piss them off!

I think I've been to Woodfield Mall (and lunched with a DISer there!). Is there a huge park nearby...in Schaumberg, right? DS had a National Cross Country meet there years ago...in December. We had to park in the mall lot and walk there...in the cold...and rain. bbbrrrr Ah...fond memories.

 

[happygirl]

That would have made me mad. I would pull in that spot, just to spite her.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I have seen that a few times over the years. I think it is very rude, but it does happen.

 

[ajk912]

I don't have a problem with it. I put it on the same level as part of a group saves a table while everyone else orders, or someone holds the place in line while the rest of the group finishes shopping. Unless you have a problem with that..then, well, we can't be friends. I am so guilty of it. Having my kids sit at the table while I order, or have them stand in line (Old Navy flipflop day with the 30 minute line ) while I grab the sizes I need.

 

[happygirl]

I don't have a problem with it. I put it on the same level as part of a group saves a table while everyone else orders, or someone holds the place in line while the rest of the group finishes shopping. Unless you have a problem with that..then, well, we can't be friends. I am so guilty of it. Having my kids sit at the table while I order, or have them stand in line (Old Navy flipflop day with the 30 minute line ) while I grab the sizes I need.

I see that as different, maybe that because I do the samething

 

[manning]

Apparently, I have seen people coming from the opposite direction where I've been waiting for a spot, but they have first access because of the direction the car in the parking spot pulls out, so they've taken it.

I've seen this happen lots of time. Once I saw this happen and when we were coming back noticed the car was still there, with four flat tires. I know if I did that with my luck I would be caught and would be laying there on the ground flatter than the tires. Got to wonder who was the more childish.

 

[missypie]

It happened to me one time near Christmas. I just pulled into the space very very slowly...yes, she moved.

 

[wowsmom]

Two of my sisters were shopping one Christmas (about 25-30 years ago) and after driving around looking for a space for about 20 minutes, they saw a space in the next row opening, so my one sister did get out and run over there and stand in the end of the space. And yes, another car tried to take the space but she is so stubborn, she just stood there and stared them down. We were all pretty shocked she did that!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I don't have a problem with it. I put it on the same level as part of a group saves a table while everyone else orders, or someone holds the place in line while the rest of the group finishes shopping. Unless you have a problem with that..then, well, we can't be friends. I am so guilty of it. Having my kids sit at the table while I order, or have them stand in line (Old Navy flipflop day with the 30 minute line ) while I grab the sizes I need.

I think sitting at the table is very different. The people sitting at a table while you order will actually be sitting there once the food comes. That is what the table is for--sitting at. The parking space is not for standing in. Also, having the kids, or other members of a large group go ahead to the table relieves congestion in the line/ordering area which helps everything move along more smoothly.

 

[SandrA9810]

We just joked about that. Like if we park towards the back of the lot, then as we walk up, some one finally pulls out. My mom would say, ok, you go lay down in that spot and i'll go get the car. Of course we never did it, we just joked about it.

And I've stood in line occasionally while kari runs back to grab something we forgot. I can't stand it when some one is standing in line with a few items, then when they get to the front some one shows up with a whole shopping cart full of groceries.

It was the most frustrating at Disney, especially with the characters out front at AK. Because the parents would hold up the line while thier kids we're with another character. That's why I like Toontown better, there's fewer line jumpers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think sitting at the table is very different. The people sitting at a table while you order will actually be sitting there once the food comes. That is what the table is for--sitting at. The parking space is not for standing in.

Well, really, it's a VALID comparison. The person driving the car while you stand in the parking space WILL be parking there, just as the people sitting at the table WILL be eating once the food gets there.

People who feel it's acceptable to hold a dining table until any food arrives do not have a valid argument against people who hold a parking space until the vehicle arrives.

I think sitting at the table is very different. The people sitting at a table while you order will actually be sitting there once the food comes. That is what the table is for--sitting at. The parking space is not for standing in.

Respectfully, I don't want friends who are clones of me. I'd rather have friends with differing opinions. So, now - can we be friends?

 

[Jeafl]

I've been shopping at Woodfield mall all my life and I have never seen that! I guess there is a first time for everything!

Maybe they were city dwellers. People save parking spots in the city like that all the time. Sometimes they stand there, sometimes they use a lawn chair, etc. Especially if it has snowed and they dig out their spot.

In any case, it would have made me really mad. When it comes down to it, I probably would have moved along and found another spot, but I would NOT have been happy about it.

 

[MissMet]

That would have made me mad. I would pull in that spot, just to spite her.

Can you imagine?! That would be the greatest thing ever to witness.

 

[SandrA9810]

See some one standing in line for food, is still going to order the same amount of food... whether every one is standing there or not. And it's better some one goes and saves a table just so you're not juggling a huge tray with drinks on it, looking for someplace to sit. I also find it helpful to have some one grab the toppings and bring them to the table so you can eat the food when it's still hot.

But standing in front of a spot is just ridiculus. Just park and walk your hiny in. If you can't walk from the back, use valet or get a handicap tag. And plus if you're going to a mall, you're more than likely going to walk much more in that mall than the walk from the parking lot.

 

[blissventure]

I guess it just wouldn't matter to me, although, I would probably laugh at the person that was squatting a parking place. Some folks raise trolling for a "good" parking place to an art form.
Me? I prefer to park aways away. It's better for me to get some exercise, and it's less likely that someone will whack my car with their carelessly opened door.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I just saw this at Downtown Disney at DL last week. LOL!

 

[Feralpeg]

I see people standing in parking spots to hold them all the time at DTD. Since lots of cars back up while waiting for a car to move, people jump out and run to a spot to save it for their family or friend. It doesn't bother me at all.