7 Parking Lot Personalities You Find When Looking for a Spot
Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
I HATE holiday shopping for so many reasons: the crowds, the chaos, the attitudes and especially the parking. I tend to be what I call a “strategic” shopper. I do all of the shopping in my head, and then I to a strategic strike right to that shop, purchase the item, and then get out. If I do it right, my shopping can take a mater of minutes to be completed.
There is only one problem though, something that I have absolutely no control over – the parking lot and the drivers that rule it.
The drivers are the ones who ruin my strategic, surgical gift extraction and who, at the end of the day, put me in an even fouler mood than when I knew that I had to go shopping. (Yeah, basically, shopping puts me in a foul mood).
But those drivers must have crept up from the darkest of holes or the slimiest of bogs and gotten behind the wheel to torment us all. During the year regularly, I call them the Sunday Drivers, the one that only get behind the wheel on Sundays and basically have no clue as to anything related to the road, etiquette or even compassion.
Assuming that you actually make it alive to the shopping mall, there is now a NEW type of person that you have to deal with as you look for something extremely precious namely – a parking space.
We all know these types as they exist wherever you go. It is just that they seem to come out like cockroaches during the holidays and they are even more extreme that normal.
I present you with 7 Parking Lot Types that you will find walking in a crowded parking lot when you are looking for a space.
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The Ignorer
Seemingly walks toward their car without acknowledging your presence and you don't know if they are actually going to a parking space. They completely ignore anyone following them.Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
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The Little Old Lady
Sweet as can be but takes what seems like a century to get to her car and get out of the space. Give her lots of room to get out of the space as well!Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
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The Chatterbox
This one is gabbing away on a cellphone as they walk to their car and when they eventually get there, they get in but just sit there chatting away and not leaving.Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
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The Frazzled Parent
We all know this one well…they have kids in tow, packed shopping cart and they have to put their stroller in the trunk and maybe even will need to change a diaper a diaper or two. Be prepared to wait.Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
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The Director
This one clearly tells you that they are leaving, indicating that you should follow them, and when you do eventually get to their spot, it happens to be the one that is the furthest away from the store entrance.Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
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The Dropper Off-er
This person is the one that walks to their car to drop something off but doesnt tell you that they aren't leaving so you follow them because they look like they are leaving.Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
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The Savior
This is the diamond in the rough. This is the one that has the best spot in the lot and lets you know they are leaving. Essentially the oposite of all of the others. Image source: Microsoft Clip Art
I sure hope that you are a Savior when you are freeing up your parking space for someone else. Karma points go a long way, especially during the holidays.
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Dude or you could just be like me and park in the first spot you find and get on with your day! I don’t care if I have to walk and that is with 2 kids in tow. I would just rather park and go even if it means walking!
I personally don’t like people to follow me to my car because I always feel like they are rushing me. Especially when I have bags to put in the trunk. Kids to put in the car and strap into car seats and settle them with toys and snacks and etc. It takes me a long time to be ready to go and I won’t rush myself for someone waiting for my spot. They should know I am not going to be quick. If anything I might go slower because I don’t like feeling rushed because that is when I make a mistake like forgetting a bag or forgetting to strap a kid in. I take my sweet time.
Most of the time there are other spots just maybe not as close and it won’t hurt them to get those. If I can do it with twins, you can do it.
You hit the nail on the head, April. This dude needs to man up, quit stalking people, park far away and walk.
@Carey & @April – You are, of course, assuming that there ARE spots available. I’m not and no matter what you either have to stalk or circle around forever. You can either do it like a sheep or be smart about it and try to read people. Happy Holidays!
Michael: Well you are right about reading people. You would think people would notice my small kids and read enough into it to realize I am not the person to wait on because I am not going to be fast. Wish more people would read it that way when it comes to me!
The only time I ever wait on someone to leave a parking space is if they are already showing their back up lights and it is a good front space. Then I just got lucky and will wait. Otherwise I go on and find another space. Of course, I live in the suburbs with parking a plenty.
I apologize for my meanness. Too much eggnog. Just don’t stalk any moms with kids/strollers etc. because we will take our time getting into the car.
Wheelchairs may take a while to load too (especially if someone else has parked in the access lane so I can’t lower my ramp!), so don’t follow me!