Psychology of "Waiting 2 minutes for a parking spot"

[SunnyD]

What drives people (pun intended) to sit in a parking lot, blocking traffic for 2, 3 even 5 minutes to wait for a random spot that they see someone "about" to vacate? Is it the competitive nature of humans to be the best/first/closest? Or is it simple laziness?

I pose this question out of sheer curiosity, as I have no problems taking a spot in obviously empty areas and walking past said vehicles as they either lay in wait or prowl the parking lot like piranhas ready to devour their next meal.

And of course, I am chuckling the entire time as I pass them by... :thumbsup:

 

[Platypus]

I can't speak for the sprawling metropolis that is Huntsville but if there is any indication that someone is leaving up here I'll wait a fucking hour.

 

[K1052]

In my neighborhood people won't hesitate to shank you like it's a prison drug war for a decent non-metered/non-permit space.

 

[Porter21]

I am American, but unlike me, most Americans are fat. That probably explains it.

 

[hanoverphist]

i see people do this all the time, makes me laff. ill park back in the boonies and walk in, not a big deal. my mom will wait for 30 minutes if she sees people packing in. shes even followed people down t he aisles in hopes they were parked close. i think people just get used to the lazy way and stick with it. my mom will hike the grand canyon, but if she has to walk halfway thru a parking lot she bitches.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Platypus
I can't speak for the sprawling metropolis that is Huntsville but if there is any indication that someone is leaving up here I'll wait a fucking hour.

I think he's talking about store parking lots, not street parking (assuming that's what you mean)

 

[gwai lo]

because driving around looking for a parking spot is less efficient than just sitting in an empty aisle and waiting. The chances of someone walking to their car RIGHT as you're turning into that aisle AND you being the first one to spot them walking to their car is pretty slim, hence why some people just sit and watch 20-30 cars.

edit: i'm talking about a full parking lot

 

[StageLeft]

Laziness. It defines their life. I guarantee you the people who are doing this didn't just go to the gym and run five miles. They are fat, mentally apathetic, a malaise infects every corner of their life. They lack not only math skills but also motivation. They are awful people. I'm only 1/3rd kidding.

 

[purbeast0]

are you talking about on a city street, like in washington DC when you go out to a bar, and there is very little free parking on public streets?

or are you talking about in a big ass parking lot where there are tons of empty spaces farther away?

if it's the latter, it's definitely because people are lazy. that is the only reason, lazy ass people.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

I hate this more than the left lane slowpokes and the stop light creepers, especially when I have to go to Wal-mart and I'm stuck in a line of traffic behind the guy who suspects someone might be leaving in the next 10 minutes, even though I can SEE an open spot one row over. Can you seriously not walk an extra 20 yards? Only excuse for this is when parking is extremely limited and distance to your destination is significant. I've been guilty of this in downtown metro areas when I know I'd have to walk several blocks if I don't camp out and wait, but if cars start piling up behind me I usually feel bad and move on.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
What drives people (pun intended)

you are so clever with your puns :disgust:

 

[dainthomas]

People who do that are indeed retarded. What's the point of waiting five minutes to park 50 feet closer when you're just going to be wandering the mall for the next two hours?

I drive until I see several empty spots for a few reasons. First, I'm not allergic to walking. Second, if I squeeze into a spot some idiot will invariable slam his door into my truck. Third, it looks retarded to sit there and it's a waste of time.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
I hate this more than the left lane slowpokes and the stop light creepers, especially when I have to go to Wal-mart and I'm stuck in a line of traffic behind the guy who suspects someone might be leaving in the next 10 minutes, even though I can SEE an open spot one row over. Can you seriously not walk an extra 20 yards? Only excuse for this is when parking is extremely limited and distance to your destination is significant. I've been guilty of this in downtown metro areas when I know I'd have to walk several blocks if I don't camp out and wait, but if cars start piling up behind me I usually feel bad and move on.

that is your problem right there.

 

[protocol167]

I believe that is called Lazy. There is a reason why you have legs for is so that you can walk be healthy. Might as well cut your legs off so that you can park in the handicap so that it is less of a walk.

 

[ohtwell]

Because they can not incovenience themselves by parking far away! Why walk when you can sit in the car and wait for a close spot?


: ) Amanda

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: gwai lo
because driving around looking for a parking spot is less efficient than just sitting in an empty aisle and waiting. The chances of someone walking to their car RIGHT as you're turning into that aisle AND you being the first one to spot them walking to their car is pretty slim, hence why some people just sit and watch 20-30 cars.

edit: i'm talking about a full parking lot

this works the best in a full lot... wait in a single aisle and you're bound to get something in a few minutes. Hopefully there won't be many other cars doing the same where they all pile into your aisle.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
I hate this more than the left lane slowpokes and the stop light creepers, especially when I have to go to Wal-mart and I'm stuck in a line of traffic behind the guy who suspects someone might be leaving in the next 10 minutes, even though I can SEE an open spot one row over. Can you seriously not walk an extra 20 yards? Only excuse for this is when parking is extremely limited and distance to your destination is significant. I've been guilty of this in downtown metro areas when I know I'd have to walk several blocks if I don't camp out and wait, but if cars start piling up behind me I usually feel bad and move on.

that is your problem right there.

I honestly don't give a shit about Wal-mart's corporate policies or what it's done to local shops, but their stores (and parking lots, apparently) are universally full of complete fucking idiots -- both employees and shoppers. Trust me, I do not decide lightly to go there.

 

[olds]

I don't get it either. I drive into a parking lot and drive straight to the back. If I see something closer I will pull into it. If not, I just park and walk.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
I hate this more than the left lane slowpokes and the stop light creepers, especially when I have to go to Wal-mart and I'm stuck in a line of traffic behind the guy who suspects someone might be leaving in the next 10 minutes, even though I can SEE an open spot one row over. Can you seriously not walk an extra 20 yards? Only excuse for this is when parking is extremely limited and distance to your destination is significant. I've been guilty of this in downtown metro areas when I know I'd have to walk several blocks if I don't camp out and wait, but if cars start piling up behind me I usually feel bad and move on.

that is your problem right there.

I honestly don't give a shit about Wal-mart's corporate policies or what it's done to local shops, but their stores (and parking lots, apparently) are universally full of complete fucking idiots -- both employees and shoppers. Trust me, I do not decide lightly to go there.

yah neither do i. but the people that i see in walmart i don't see at other stores most of the time heh. there is one near my job and i go to it very rarely when i need something very specific/cheap.

i don't think i've ever seen grown adults riding around in electric carts in any other store than walmart.

 

[Hacp]

What if all the parking spots are taken? What is the point in roaming around the lot hoping to find a parking space when theres a guy packing his stuff and getting ready to leave right in front of you?

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Laziness. It defines their life. I guarantee you the people who are doing this didn't just go to the gym and run five miles. They are fat, mentally apathetic, a malaise infects every corner of their life. They lack not only math skills but also motivation. They are awful people. I'm only 1/3rd kidding.

I've seen people doing this shit in Gym parking lots. At least at Costco I just assume they are a fatass and truely suffer the entire time they are walking...but I have no idea what is going on in the dusty skulls of those people doing it in the Gym parking lot. As mentioned in the OP, it rarely saves time. Not all of them were even fat after they got out of their car. I expect them to get out of the car with 5 armloads of Hockey equipment, but nope...never more then a gym bag.

My wife complains about my parking constantly, I pounce on the first empty spot I see even if its at the back of the parking lot while she tells me about the ones up close. Sorry, that's not how I roll. I indentify a target and engage. In that order only.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Hacp
What if all the parking spots are taken? What is the point in roaming around the lot hoping to find a parking space when theres a guy packing his stuff and getting ready to leave right in front of you?

I assumed the OP was discussing the "massive parking lot fighting for the 3 front spaces" phenomenon. Obviously if there are no spaces there are a variety of tactics that must be employed, including camping.

 

[nanobreath]

Bwhaha, my mom was once packing in stuff in the car from a completely full (quite possibly overflowing) while a guy sat there and waited something like 10 minutes for her to put it all in. (A LOT of stuff). After she was done loading she grabbed her buggy and went back into the store to finish her shopping. I think about this everytime somebody is waiting for my parking spot.

 

[gwai lo]

Originally posted by: nanobreath
Bwhaha, my mom was once packing in stuff in the car from a completely full (quite possibly overflowing) while a guy sat there and waited something like 10 minutes for her to put it all in. (A LOT of stuff). After she was done loading she grabbed her buggy and went back into the store to finish her shopping. I think about this everytime somebody is waiting for my parking spot.

you're supposed to wave them off if you're going back in ><

 

[drum]

I park as far out as I can and walk. Less chance of an idiot hitting my truck with their door