There are four types of parkers at the mall
There are four types of parkers at the mall. I am a hybrid parker: a one pass at the front row “search and destroyer” and then a “see it and take it”.
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Reader comments
PeterDec 22, 2004 at 11:51AM
11 months of the year i'm the same type of hybrid. during christmas though, i go to the farthest lot to find a spot.
Stefan JonesDec 22, 2004 at 12:17PM
I don't mind walking. I part at the perimeter. Even at Christmas.
Sometimes, I play a game when walking back to my car. Even though I'm a quarter mile away, I'll shift my bags and take out my keys like I'm about to reach my car and free up a space.
When I'm sure someone is following me, I'll dodge over to the next row and repeat the performance.
Yes, I'm a bastard sometimes.
julieDec 22, 2004 at 12:20PM
I'm a "see it and take it" - I don't like confontation. And since I have a brand new car, I'm even more inclined to find a spot out in the boonies.
ryan.Dec 22, 2004 at 12:22PM
I'm *amazed* at how long people will aimlessly drive around in search of a parking spot 10-20 feet closer to a store/mall/whatever. I rarely drive these days, but family visits (to or from) are always good for a laugh.
Chris AndersonDec 22, 2004 at 12:24PM
Stefan - I like how you think! Just a bit evil...
I'm more like Jason when it comes to parking lot behavior. I'll make a cursory pass in search of a princess parking spot, but will move on to more open - if not greener - pastures very quickly.
One thing that surprises me in the article is AAA's recommendation that to avoid backing out of a space, drivers should either back into or “pull... through two spaces that are open nose-to-nose." I'd think that this behavior could result in collisions or conflict when a search and destroyer zips into an open spot, not aware that someone is pulling through.
JeffwaDec 22, 2004 at 12:55PM
I usually just park where I can find a spot, and around the holidays I park far away. I also play the game Stefan does. In high school some friends and I would be even more cruel. If someone was following us or stopped and waited for our spot, we'd get in the car, sit for a few seconds, and then get out and go back in the mall. The "holiday greetings" we would hear were great.
MattDec 22, 2004 at 1:23PM
I'm definitely a see it and take it person, as I never understood how anyone could wait to park when they could be walking and shopping and getting on with their life. I also try to park close to the exit when I'm parking far away, so that leaving the place is as easy as possible. Sometimes if you get a spot up close at a warehouse store you'll be stuck for a few minutes waiting for the parade to clear from the exits at the front.
RehanDec 22, 2004 at 1:42PM
Am I the only one who goes to Ikea and not only parks outside of the Exit but walks into the store that way, too? There's so much congestion at the Entrance. Otherwise, I just take the spots farthest away and walk. I figure why waste my time driving around when I can be walking instead.
danDec 22, 2004 at 2:55PM
I'm a "see it and take it" guy.
And I'm surprised how many other comments are too , especially considering that nearly everyone else in Auckland where I live is a merciless "search and destroyer".
TheBradDec 22, 2004 at 4:15PM
Gladys, the patron saint of parking, has never let me down, even at the bustling holidays. I simply make the following supplication upon entering any lot of garage: "Hail Gladys, full of grace. Help me find a parking space." Good ol' Gladys.
antitextDec 22, 2004 at 4:56PM
i'm another "see it and take it" kind of guy. driving and shopping are stressfull/competitive enough inside the mall, so why add to the stress in the parking lot.
JerryDec 22, 2004 at 6:09PM
I park a cozy distance away, whether there's closer open spots or not.
The exercise is good, avoiding the whales patrolling the front rows to avoid having to walk a few feet is good, pretending this makes me a better person is questionably good.
I do the same thing at work. For some people it's important (or necessary) to park close. I'm not one of them so why deprive them of a primo spot?
lnhDec 23, 2004 at 10:13AM
Depending on how busy it is, I may do a single pass at searchanddestroy before seeitandtakeit. The walk and lowered stress both make me feel better.
---L.
This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.