[skyjumper]

Okay, small rant here...

You go to the movies, or anywhere else, find a nice end spot far away from the door, with a nice wide open parking lot between you and the door. Empty spaces as far as the eye can see... You go in, a few hours later you come out, and there it is... Another car parked right next to yours, still with nothing but empty spaces as far as the eye can see, most of them much closer to the door...

What drives people to do this? Is there some instinctive herding mentality that goes back to before humans left the caves? Perhaps a deep seated unconscious fear of being alone? Or maybe just a desire to be a jackass?

[floridaorange]

If the car parked next to you is also a nice car then it's because they know you won't be hitting their car and because it's also one of the furthest away spots.

If it's a crap car they are likely trolling or using the spot to smoke meth or worse, best you don't bother them

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

If the car parked next to you is also a nice car then it's because they know you won't be hitting their car and because it's also one of the furthest away spots.

If it's a crap car they are likely trolling or using the spot to smoke meth or worse, best you don't bother them

+1

[PhizzurpF]

To echo what's already been said, I often find nice cars parking by me when this occurs or vice versa.

[F36GC_NYC]

Originally Posted by skyjumper

Okay, small rant here...

You go to the movies, or anywhere else, find a nice end spot far away from the door, with a nice wide open parking lot between you and the door. Empty spaces as far as the eye can see... You go in, a few hours later you come out, and there it is... Another car parked right next to yours, still with nothing but empty spaces as far as the eye can see, most of them much closer to the door...

What drives people to do this? Is there some instinctive herding mentality that goes back to before humans left the caves? Perhaps a deep seated unconscious fear of being alone? Or maybe just a desire to be a jackass?

been there, done that, i just need to get out of nyc.

ppl lack manners and just basic courtesy.

[bimmer456]

I see jealous people flexing their old hoopty or bucket when they see a nice car in the parking lot. They will press their key fob several times to remind people they drive a broke old rust bucket.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by F36GC_NYC

been there, done that, i just need to get out of nyc.

ppl lack manners and just basic courtesy.

Or NJ. For three years in NM I had not a single dent. In the first year in NJ I had two dents on my doors from parking lots.

Re: OP's point, I do think that humans have an instinctive herd mentality and feel safety in numbers, as do most (all?) social creatures.

[what_a_bimmer]

In a busy car park I would rather park next to an expensive car due to it less likely to be hit by others whilst opening doors etc.

In a sparsely populated one however I would prefer to park well out of the way.

[Beek]

I've been known to park my grocery getter next to a nice car out in the far corners of the lot to protect it, people shouldn't always assume malicious intent.

[BMW11]

almost every parking lot I go to the spots are not wide enough so peoples cars will always risk being damaged when they swing their doors open without regard.

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by BMW11

almost every parking lot I go to the spots are not wide enough so peoples cars will always risk being damaged when they swing their doors open without regard.

I hate those inconsiderate shopping mall, grocery store and other who have all parking lot measure for f**kn compact size vehicles. And you see Camry barely fit between the lines and trucks are way to big with both tires steeping out half way on both lines.

Seriously this is America where cadillacs, Fords, Chevy and Lincoln and Chrysler make big cars.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

I hate those inconsiderate shopping mall, grocery store and other who have all parking lot measure for f**kn compact size vehicles. And you see Camry barely fit between the lines and trucks are way to big with both tires steeping out half way on both lines.

Seriously this is America where cadillacs, Fords, Chevy and Lincoln and Chrysler make big cars.

The existence of compact parking spaces is not compatible with the rise of the SUV in America.

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The existence of compact parking spaces is not compatible with the rise of the SUV in America.

What rise of the SUV... your crazy... America build big ass cars way before SUV came into the world.

[jcordier]

Originally Posted by skyjumper

Okay, small rant here...

You go to the movies, or anywhere else, find a nice end spot far away from the door, with a nice wide open parking lot between you and the door. Empty spaces as far as the eye can see... You go in, a few hours later you come out, and there it is... Another car parked right next to yours, still with nothing but empty spaces as far as the eye can see, most of them much closer to the door...

What drives people to do this? Is there some instinctive herding mentality that goes back to before humans left the caves? Perhaps a deep seated unconscious fear of being alone? Or maybe just a desire to be a jackass?

I agree. It's annoying af. I started to get paintless dent repair annually because of dings from people that could care less about their buckets or leased vehicles that they can't really afford nor care about.

[eluded]

Haters gonna hate

[IAmATeaf]

You guys want to come over to the UK, parking spaces here are really small which means that door dings are inevitable. Have a nice one on the lower part of my drivers door.

In terms of parking far away, I’ve had this occur. I park at the opposite end of the doors when we go shopping where there are mostly empty spaces but get back and somebody will have parked right next to it.

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Or NJ. For three years in NM I had not a single dent. In the first year in NJ I had two dents on my doors from parking lots.

Re: OP's point, I do think that humans have an instinctive herd mentality and feel safety in numbers, as do most (all?) social creatures.

No dents in SNJ, however on a recent trip to Chicago, door ding! It can happen anywhere really.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The existence of compact parking spaces is not compatible with the rise of the SUV in America.

The narrow parking space thing started umpteen years ago when the (mostly Asian/Japanese primarily) brand compact cars became very popular in U.S. due to Xlnt gas mileage and quality build of the car. For many many years those imports were pretty small vehicles, recall the first Honda Civics, tiny. They gradually grew larger just as your F30's are same size as my old 2000 model year E39.

My X3 and prior E39 fit reasonably well into most parking spots but geez a Suburban or F150 would be major pain to park in most lots.

[CrumbyButter]

Originally Posted by skyjumper

Okay, small rant here...

You go to the movies, or anywhere else, find a nice end spot far away from the door, with a nice wide open parking lot between you and the door. Empty spaces as far as the eye can see... You go in, a few hours later you come out, and there it is... Another car parked right next to yours, still with nothing but empty spaces as far as the eye can see, most of them much closer to the door...

What drives people to do this? Is there some instinctive herding mentality that goes back to before humans left the caves? Perhaps a deep seated unconscious fear of being alone? Or maybe just a desire to be a jackass?

Cuz people are morons.

[floridaorange]

Speaking of parking spaces - we were in san diego for the month of July. The size of the parking spaces were beyond ridiculous small.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

I hate those inconsiderate shopping mall, grocery store and other who have all parking lot measure for f**kn compact size vehicles. And you see Camry barely fit between the lines and trucks are way to big with both tires steeping out half way on both lines.

Seriously this is America where cadillacs, Fords, Chevy and Lincoln and Chrysler make big cars.

I have 3 grocery outlets around me and I go to the one farthest from my home just because the parking spaces are nice and wide.

[F36GC_NYC]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

I hate those inconsiderate shopping mall, grocery store and other who have all parking lot measure for f**kn compact size vehicles. And you see Camry barely fit between the lines and trucks are way to big with both tires steeping out half way on both lines.

Seriously this is America where cadillacs, Fords, Chevy and Lincoln and Chrysler make big cars.

cars much like ppl have gotten wider over the years.... they need to adjust for that and also not try to maximize their space... but that will never happen... lol its all about profit.