Was This Rude?

[arminnie]

I was meeting someone for dinner one time. I got to the shopping center early (just a strip center with LOTS of parking). I ran inside the drug store and came out.

I was way too early so I go in on the passenger side and proceeded to clean out my car, purse, etc. When I went to go put something in the trunk this lady starts SCREAMING at me about why I won't move my car. I had never noticed her. I was in the passenger seat NOT the driver's seat.

I told her (politely) that I wasn't moving my car as I was not leaving. (I was going to dinner). She starts screaming even more about how I should have told her that I wasn't leaving, etc etc. Again I'd never even noticed her and there were literally dozen of parking spaces that weren't any worse than mine.

The sad thing was she had her elderly mother in the car and used all of this foul language. She spoke English with an accent so I can only hope that her mother couldn't understand what she was saying. If she was so worried about her mother walking I can assure you that there were closer spots than mine. Just another California nutcase.

 

[Stacerita]

I dont think its rude for her to have sat there and wait for the spot, or to ask if you were leaving. But to make the gestures and ask if you were done talking, thats rude.

Parking is at a preminum most places I go to these days. So driving and following someone is common. I also see a lot of asking where you are parked at and if you are leaving. For the most part, everyone is nice about it.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I find it even worse when you are walking to your car and a person follows you in their car. This really annoys me. When this happens I intentionally cut across rows and eventually they give up.

I am sorry but in my opinion what you do is probably the rudest thing I have read in this thread. I could see it being annoying if it was a day like the OP described, but when a lot is pretty full that is sometimes the only way to get a spot easily. As long as the person following isn't right on your butt or acting ugly why does it really matter to you. Your actions described above are intentionally trying to make someones life harder (even if just a little bit). If you aren't leaving wave them on.

 

[paigevz]

You know, I think I read just TODAY (somewhere, can't think where) that people spend an average of 8 minutes driving around looking for a space. That's just nuts. We'll drive up one, down one, and then on the next we just go until we find one. The article also mentioned how much gas that 8 minute average per person used up!

Yes, I think it was rude. She could've parked or just waited. She shouldn't have interrupted you to ask even, and the gestures were just over the top.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

You know, I think I read just TODAY (somewhere, can't think where) that people spend an average of 8 minutes driving around looking for a space. That's just nuts. We'll drive up one, down one, and then on the next we just go until we find one. The article also mentioned how much gas that 8 minute average per person used up!

Yes, I think it was rude. She could've parked or just waited. She shouldn't have interrupted you to ask even, and the gestures were just over the top.

What if the parking lot is full. I live in a rapidly growing metro area. A lot of strip malls etc . . . were built when communities were less populated and the parking lots are now too small for all the traffic they get. It's not uncommon to go to a strip mall and find every single space filled. Does that not happen where you live?

If it doesn't, I agree that for most people (barring a toddler or a disability) it makes more sense to park farther and then walk.

 

[Marseeya]

I agree about the lots being full. Where I go to university, the lots are always full. And the Walmart where we shop, the lot is full at almost any time of the day. It's the only Super Walmart for over an hour's drive in any direction, so it's constantly full, as is Target.

I know we don't drive around for 8 minutes though. We usually only have to go up and down a couple of aisles before we see someone leaving. The store is so busy that people are always coming and going. I'd hate to run into someone who's possessive of their space like that. I've never seen that happen. For the most part, people understand how it is and they're very considerate, both in waiting for spots and in giving them up. Why would you be otherwise?

 

[jbdreamer]

The first open spot you see is usually the closest - meaning it's faster to walk then it is to drive around the lot.

That woman was very rude IMO.

 

[VSL]

I am sorry but in my opinion what you do is probably the rudest thing I have read in this thread. I could see it being annoying if it was a day like the OP described, but when a lot is pretty full that is sometimes the only way to get a spot easily. As long as the person following isn't right on your butt or acting ugly why does it really matter to you. Your actions described above are intentionally trying to make someones life harder (even if just a little bit). If you aren't leaving wave them on.

I happen to agree with mickeyfan2. I would feel intimidated to be followed by some car, and would probably start cutting through just to get away from them!
That's the way I always return to my car anyway though (non-vehicle friendly routes). If they asked in advance (if I was getting my car and leaving and could they follow me to my space) then I wouldn't mind so much, but to just stalk like that would be a bit off-putting.

Not to mention that I would never do that to someone else.

Luckily, that doesn't seem to be the British 'way', so I haven't had to deal with any space stalkers yet.