Well, I didn’t see THAT coming.
Tuesday I asked whether backing into parking spots is a crime against humanity, simply annoying or the only right and true way to park. Frankly, I expected a landslide victory for “crime against humanity,” because that’s how I view it.
There is nothing – and I mean nothing – that annoys me more than waiting for someone to back into a parking spot, especially when they clearly don’t know what they’re doing, like 99 percent of all drivers. (Don’t make me remind you that I hold the title “World’s Only Perfect Driver.”)
And yet 50 percent of the 211 people taking this week’s poll said backing in is the best way to park, obliterating “just annoying,” which came in at 37 percent. Only 13 percent shared my view, which means I probably should rethink how I view the world. Maybe – just maybe – other people have a point and it’s me who is out of step and annoying, and I should change my ways and the way I think.
OK … nah. You guys are still wrong. Parking backward is an abomination unless you’re Batman (and he had a cool turntable that turned his car around for him.)
Here’s the promised link to one of the world’s worst attempts at backward parking. Enjoy.
–andy
John Combs says
March 3, 2016 at 12:15 pmAs a rule, I always back into parking spots that are not open at both ends. If I am at Meijers, I will pull in forwards, not a big deal. However, I have had the misfortune to have been forward in blocked or restricted parking spots when my car wouldn’t start and then had to push the car out so the jumper cables would reach. It’s just a matter of convenience.
Denise says
March 3, 2016 at 12:15 pmOkay, Andy. As a blonde, female driver who can back into a parking space and parallel park like a pro, you hit a nerve with that video. Maybe two links would have been good – add in a graying, middle-aged male for example?! Seriously though, a pull through is like a gift that brightens my day every time!
Andrew Heller says
March 3, 2016 at 12:25 pmAhahahaha. It just happened to be a woman in this instance. I’m a big fan of pull thrus.
Christina B says
March 4, 2016 at 10:16 amHA!!! I hate pull-throughs even more than back-ins! Because I’m usually turning to pull into that spot that some idiot driving a vehicle the size of the Oasis of the Seas pulls into MY spot, and then Gloats through the windshield like he just won the Publisher’s Clearing House Millions for a Lifetime drawing, and now I have to back up – pissing off the person behind me! Besides, have you ever tried to load packages and groceries into the trunk or rear of a vehicle that has “pulled through” and then another car pulls in so close behind you that an emaciated flea couldn’t fit between the 2 vehicles???
Jim walworth says
March 3, 2016 at 12:17 pmWhere’s the link?
Andrew Heller says
March 3, 2016 at 12:25 pmIt was in there, but I made it bigger so it stands out more.
Peggy Duquette says
March 3, 2016 at 12:51 pmI long ago quit trying to back into any parking spot regardless of how much room I have in which to negotiate the maneuver. That is because I do it so badly and find myself glancing around to see who is laughing at my futile attempts! Just not worth it!
MSN says
March 3, 2016 at 3:46 pmI’m with Peggy. Will not back in, but will pull through if its convenient.
Karen K. says
March 3, 2016 at 12:55 pmTry being a wife riding with my spouse who insists on backing in. No matter how small the space or how late we are. There I sit smiling between clenched teeth while Mr. Macho he man proves what a great backer inner he is, even if it takes five tries. Crime against humanity!!!!
Stev Lewis says
March 3, 2016 at 1:01 pmI was going to ask you if it bothers you to wait for people to back out, but then I realized -when someone is backing out, and you wait, you get rewarded with taking that spot.
PresDuLac says
March 3, 2016 at 3:54 pmI have a couple of favorite spots around town where backing in is easy but if they’re not available, I always pull through. One close call with a person behind me backing out at the same time and people screaming stop was enough to break me of parking anywhere that requires backing out.
Jim III says
March 3, 2016 at 5:06 pmI have been backing into parking spaces whenever I have to. If I am parking in a parking ramp that that has only angle parking in it, then I park nose in. If it has straight parking slots then I back in.
There a number of reasons why I do so.
If someone pulls in nose first, and it becomes time to leave and they start to back and they have two vehicles on either side of them that have the dark tinted windows, they will have to be very careful backing out, because there is a very good chance that someone will be driving by at that moment and bang you have a collision happen. Then some yelling about someone being in the wrong and so forth.
You back in and you reduce the chances of a collision happening. Plus you can leave quicker, nor do you have to worry about running over someone that just happens to walking behind your vehicle.
Unless you are some sort of deranged individual who would like the chance to some one over.