Is this parking lot rage?

IMAG0125I was brought up in such a way to respect other people. There should be no time when my actions should be considered as selfish actions as an inconvenience other people. For example, I will often hold the door open for someone who is following me or has their hands full that opening the door would become difficult, even though I may be in a hurry. I try to think of others whenever I can. I also take this attitude into the vehicle when I’m driving. Do you do the same?

Recently, a colleague of mine had passed through this parking lot and saw these vehicles all parked close to each other. Based on what I could see, the white van on the right was parked first and had to park slightly on the line as the vehicle on their passenger side was off-centred in their parking space. The driver of the white van was courteous enough to allow room for the driver of the vehicle to their right to enter their vehicle. However, the driver of the car to the driver’s side of the white van seemed to care less about the driver of the white van. (Confused yet?) Was this on purpose? I think it had to be since their vehicle was also close to the parking line to their right. Why would they do such a thing?

IMAG0127Considering the driver of the car had more than enough space on the driver’s side, I personally feel it was intentional. Were they annoyed with the driver of the van for parking partially in “their” space? Were they trying to “punish” the driver of the white van for parking where they did? The driver of the white van is now basically stuck in that space, unless they can make it through the back of the van into the driver’s seat. If that area of their van is blocked, they’ll have to wait for one of the two drivers to return to their vehicle before they can get into their own vehicle. Can you say major inconvenience? Can you say frustrated? Can you say unjustified?

For the driver of the car beside the van, did they even have to park in a space that narrow? Could they have gone into a different space? Even if that was the only remaining space available, you really do have to remember about revenge. What could the driver of the white van do to the car to “get back” at the driver of the car for parking so close to the van? Would you consider this to be “parking rage” instead of road rage?

The thing to remember is that not only should we be courteous drivers, but also be courteous parkers. Do whatever you can to make life easier for you but also for those around you. After all, my friend karma still visits parking lots too.