Defensive Parking

[p3asa]

We've already been there with the parking in disabled bays or parent and child bays 

Back in the days when I had 3 kids under the age of 4 the child bays were a god send. Not because I was lazy and wanted to get nearer to the store but because I could open both my rear doors as wide as they would go and actually be able to remove the kids without damaging the cars crammed next to me.

[RickS]

I can appreciate why the extra space is needed if you have small kids believe me [even though I don't have any]; but without wanting to sound inconsiderate or lacking in understanding, why do people have to take small children shopping anyway; can't one parent stay home with the kids whilst the other does the shopping? [or get a minder - not Terry  ]

[am1w]

I shop at M&S and sometimes Sainsburys. At M&S, I use the staff car park and they don't mind as I am a very regular customer. At Sainsburys, I park in the wide bays for parents and children and I tell the staff so I don't get a ticket! When I can't find a space we order a fantastic Thai takeaway which is no more expensive than a supermarket shop! Simples! Yeah right!

[A7 UFO]

without wanting to sound inconsiderate or lacking in understanding, why do people have to take small children shopping anyway; can't one parent stay home with the kids whilst the other does the shopping?

should all the stay at home mothers hold off from shopping until the husbands get home from work to look after the children?

[AlanD]

In a not so busy car park I often park diagonally across 2 spaces so that no tw@t can even try and park next to me. People have offten tuted at me as they walk into their 15 year Fiat Punto

[Phil1980]

 If me and the mrs go to the supermarket I will park where there are no other cars which she moans about, but I won't park over two spaces that just screams out key my car please.

[simonpolly]

In a not so busy car park I often park diagonally across 2 spaces so that no tw@t can even try and park next to me. People have offten tuted at me as they walk into their 15 year Fiat Punto

You can get a parking ticket/fine  or clamped for that in alot of carparks.

[simonpolly]

I know this topic has popped up at various times in the forum and there are many forum members who are fond of 'defensive parking'.

I was in what can only be classed as a nightmare parking situation yesterday - a shopping centre inundated with 4WD vehicles, people carriers and lots of children all itching to open passenger doors into my GTI. So, I did the sensible thing and parked on the top floor, as far from the lifts/stairs as possible to deter the lazy and careless plus I was protected on two sides.

I rather liked the atmosphere of the shot on walking back to the car so took a quick snap on my iPhone for kicks. My wife was less enthusiastic, regarding the photograph as documentary evidence of my paranoia. 

Good work 

[ub7rm]

Disabled spaces are a never never.  Parent and child spaces are fair game at the times I usually go to the supermarket, I always take the one furtherest away from the door too, and am usually the only one there 

[AlanD]

In a not so busy car park I often park diagonally across 2 spaces so that no tw@t can even try and park next to me. People have offten tuted at me as they walk into their 15 year Fiat Punto

You can get a parking ticket/fine  or clamped for that in alot of carparks.

Yeah, I've heard that but not had grief yet. Dont get me wrong, I dont do it all the time. Only when its not busy, the amount of times I've parked in a car park that isnt busy only to find someone has still managed to park next to me, grinds my gears no end.