Is It Ethical to Go the Wrong Way in a Carpark for a Parking Spot?

ginormousgiraffe on 09/10/2023 - 08:54

This weekend I was at the shops and the car park was packed. I was following a car in front of me, and the whole car park had one-way lanes. The driver ahead stuck to the directional arrows. However, I spotted an open parking spot just a few spaces away in the opposite direction. There were no cars coming from that way, so I grabbed the spot. Surprisingly, the driver of the first car threw their hands up in frustration when they passed me.

What's your take on this? Is it okay to go against the flow in a car park to grab a spot, or should we always follow the one-way system?

MS paint for reference

Automotive Parking

Comments

  • Ghost47 on 09/10/2023 - 16:16

    Let me guess, Macquarie Centre at 1pm on a Saturday?

    I get where you’re coming from but it’s no excuse to drive the wrong way to get a parking spot. The dog eat dog attitude is pervading society for the worse.

  • Willy Beamish on 09/10/2023 - 16:26
    +6

    Yes it's a scumbag thing to do, you are basically cutting in line.

  • Munki on 09/10/2023 - 16:26

    Definitely a dick move. It doesn't hurt you to be courteous. This is ethically on par with people who physically block car spaces because they're "holding" it for a car.

  • Hunter14 on 09/10/2023 - 16:30
    +1

    Lol, if this isn't a troll post then you really need to have a good look at yourself in the mirror.

  • OhToTheZee on 09/10/2023 - 16:55

    OPs next post: Someone keyed my car in car park….

  • icanconfirm on 09/10/2023 - 17:10

    Your story

    Your drawing

    Your question: AITA

    The answer: see username

  • shaybisc on 09/10/2023 - 17:42
    +2

    "Ethics and morality is for losers."

    The Collected Wisdom of Donald J. Trump

  • smartazz104 on 09/10/2023 - 17:57

    Either the other driver did see that spot first, hence the reaction, or (assuming your picture is to scale), you're incredibly slow at parking.

    • ginormousgiraffe on 09/10/2023 - 18:00

      To be honest, the reaction was a bit of hyperbole, the driver just drove past like normal. The picture is not really to scale, the rows are a lot longer than the picture, plus both entries and exits were both ways. Parking was normal, reversed into spot without needing to correct.

  • xrayed giraffe on 09/10/2023 - 18:02
    +2

    Painted arrows are merely suggestions, they arent official road signs to obey.

    in parking lots, i park in the spots reserved for parents with prams.
    it's merely a suggestion, and parents dont deserve a red carpet.

    • ginormousgiraffe on 09/10/2023 - 18:04
      -5

      I think they are just a suggestion, there is no official signage that would indicate that it's enforcable.

      Agreed on parents with prams, but I wouldn't take them without exhausting all options in the car park and probably searching for 5-10 minutes. As a side note, what is the deal with car parks moving parents with prams closer to the entry at the expense of disability parking spots?

      • xrayed giraffe on 09/10/2023 - 18:07

        i think that's chapter 2 of the NDIS Royal Commission

      • Ughhh on 09/10/2023 - 19:55

        prams closer to the entry at the expense of disability parking spots

        Where? All that I've seen are additional, rather than replacing disabled spots.
        Perhaps 50% of the carpark should be for disabled people.

        • ginormousgiraffe on 09/10/2023 - 21:45
          -1

          Westfield car parks have moved disability spots to next to the crossings so they don't have to have the no stopping spot wasting a parking spot.

    • SwarlesBarkley on 09/10/2023 - 19:35
      -1

      Do you drive straight into the spots marked as parents with prams or do you do a lap first?

      • xrayed giraffe on 09/10/2023 - 20:30
        -1

        You're already aware there's no parks by the time you get there

    • John Kimble on 09/10/2023 - 20:37
      +3

      Are you and the OP related?

    • idonotknowwhy on 09/10/2023 - 21:11
      -1

      This is correct as far as I understand. So to answer OP's question then, technically it is ethical (though debatable whether or not it's moral).

    • kiitos on 11/10/2023 - 21:04
      +1

      You two are giving giraffes a bad name.

    • morse on 12/10/2023 - 05:03
      +1

      Do you park in the older peoples (not disabled) spots as well?

      I utilised those parents with prams when my baby was a newborn as I’d just had a c-section and still had pain and wasn’t walking long distances. They often bigger as well so make it easier to get the baby or young children out of the car, again this can be quite difficult, especially with a newborn plus toddler.

      Sure it’s not a legal requirement, but it’s not about ‘deserving’, it’s about being kind and considerate of others. If you had a broken leg or something fair game, but if you’re just lazy and greedy, despite not being illegal, it’s a thumbs down choice.

      • xrayed giraffe on 12/10/2023 - 17:40

        If people can go to the shops and walk around for 20 minutes and cover 1km of walking, they're strong enough to manage an extra 50m at the car park.

        To quote the Australian Guidelines for Physical Activity- think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience

        • morse on 12/10/2023 - 19:16

          You don’t know that’s what they are doing. In my case sometimes it was to see a doctor and was about 1-2mins of walking. I’m fit now and doing 10000 steps+ a day, so I don’t use the spots. If movement is an opportunity in your case, you park far away and walk and let other people judge their own circumstances.

  • 2025 on 09/10/2023 - 18:36
    +8

    You’re not just a ginormousgiraffe, but you’re also a ginormousc**t

  • digitalbath on 09/10/2023 - 19:28
    +4

    Nope. You’re a s*$t person. Typical of today’s entitlement. I’m sure you do similar in other aspects of your life too.

  • 1Kenobi on 09/10/2023 - 20:03

    The fall of civilisation

  • furyou on 09/10/2023 - 20:32
    +1

    No. You suck for doing that. But your diagram skills is fantastic. I would ask more car questions if i could diagram it.

    • ginormousgiraffe on 09/10/2023 - 21:46
      -2

      Thanks, I traded my morality for MS paint lessons

  • noobert on 09/10/2023 - 22:16

    Chin up mate, people make mistakes and learn from it. I get where you're coming from.

    No need to grind into someone who's trying to learn and get feedback. So many over the top rude and judgemental takes on here.

    • Cletus vandamme on 09/10/2023 - 22:55
      +4

      He's learnt nothing and just comes off as self entitled that it just sounds trollish. "This thread will not change my behaviour of going the wrong way for a spot."

  • Euphemistic on 10/10/2023 - 05:23

    If you drove a BMW, Audi or Merc you have to go against the flow. You’re obviously far more important than any Toyota or Hyundai driver and must park before them.

  • jerjergege on 10/10/2023 - 07:23

    This happened to me at Chadstone, the driver's mother told her daughter to concede the spot as they were driving against the arrows.

    • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 07:26
      -2

      I think if you both indicate for the spot at roughly the same time, the person going the right way gets the spot. And if there is time to indicate at the same time, then the person shouldn't have been going the wrong way. A bit different to going the wrong way and cleanly taking the spot.

      • jerjergege on 10/10/2023 - 07:31

        What if I saw the spot from the row behind the spot in question, to turn into the row and someone going the wrong way stole it, so no, still not ethical.

        • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 08:12
          -1

          Depends on how long the rows are, in most Westfield car parks they are 100-200m long, so seeing it from the other side is generally no use.

          • jerjergege on 10/10/2023 - 08:34

            @ginormousgiraffe: I would argue most westfield carparks are bi directional, so you knowingly drove in the wrong direction, meaning its not ethical.

  • Mugsy on 10/10/2023 - 07:48
    +3

    Once I was leaving a car park spot and the lane was one way (going right from my perspective).

    Looked right to check for no pedestrians, looked left for no pedestrians or cars and proceeded to pull out. Then some idiot going the wrong way almost hits me in their urgency to break the rules and nab a free spot.

    The best part that by the time I reversed back into my spot to let him pass, someone else had come along and taken the free park and a flow of cars going the right way started to build up.

    The inconsiderate driver had to back up for traffic to flow.

    In short, people should just follow the signage. It's there for a reason.

  • 82norm on 10/10/2023 - 07:48

    Why no poll?

  • knaff on 10/10/2023 - 08:40
    +1

    (profanity) like you cause accidents.

  • dealsucker on 10/10/2023 - 08:50
    +1

    Just imagine if everyone started doing it.

    • Mugsy on 10/10/2023 - 09:45
      +3

      It's OK! I'm a teacher!

      (Simpsons reference for anyone reading this and is confused)

  • Ryanemo on 10/10/2023 - 08:51
    +1

    How did you not see the spot as you went past it??? Did the person leaving the spot go the wrong way? I think its fair game if the coast is clear. What annoys me is the people that are pulled over to the side waiting for a spot to become available. This in itself is a hazard. Don't care if there is a person getting in their car looking like they are going to leave. It may still take them some time to buckle up, have a drink, check their phone before they are ready to leave. In the meantime the indicator means jack. Keep moving people.

  • Morphio25 on 10/10/2023 - 09:02
    -2

    Fair play I reckon, so long as there is no one coming the other direction when you do it.

  • Bob Svargis on 10/10/2023 - 09:04
    +1

    Just selfishness, and OP is seeking confirmation bias

  • 01001111 01000010 on 10/10/2023 - 09:31

    Did you really need to ask? That's a d**K move.

  • saltypete on 10/10/2023 - 09:44
    +1

    Somewhat of a d@ck move, but depends on how full the park was. If it’s packed you’ve stolen a rare park and it’s pretty bad. Some would key you…..
    Forget all the ‘road rules’ stuff. It’s a car park.

  • Bikeham on 10/10/2023 - 10:04
    -2

    If you are a white male, slathered in privilege - go for it!

    • LFO on 10/10/2023 - 12:02
      +1

      The Voice says …

  • jaimex2 on 10/10/2023 - 10:11
    +2

    As long as you reversed the entire time you're all clear. It's a life hack.

  • pnt on 10/10/2023 - 10:16

    The primary concern is safety, so I would not break the rule. People wont expect you to be coming from that direction, and won't be as prepared for your movement. And that makes accidents more likely.

  • MrMoo on 10/10/2023 - 10:29

    Lol dude, you said it's just a few spaces away in the opposite direction. Your MS Paint diagram has this spot in the middle of the lower section. In this small car park that's like 25% of the entire place. Do you often drive 25% of the way against the traffic flow to get something?

    • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 10:31

      It was about 10ish spots away from the end, but the car park was far longer than shown (maybe 150m long), I just couldn't find a good image of a larger car park.

      • MrMoo on 10/10/2023 - 10:35

        Thanks for context. 10 spots is still too far IMO. I've been tempted to do it when I'm 3-4 spots away but what stops me is actually safety and shame (if I run into someone else who comes around the corner just as you make your move).

        • Mugsy on 10/10/2023 - 10:51

          Very much this. Going against traffic signage is a very easy way to cause accidents.

          I think the question for the OP is, if they happened to have caused an accident where someone was crippled or killed because they decided to go against traffic signage to get a carpark, could they live with themselves?

          For everyone else, this is a reminder to be vigilant when driving for that one person who isn't thinking right.

          • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 12:19
            -2

            @Mugsy: How fast are you going in car parks that you could kill or cripple someone?

            • Protractor on 10/10/2023 - 21:33
              +2

              @ginormousgiraffe: So you are not just rude, but verge on ignorant. Just impacting someone is enough to affect their balance which could end in an unprotected head impact with the car park surface. Equally if you drove over someone even at low speed death or disability is easily possible. I think you are just your trolling to pose the thread and go on to ask really immature stuff like this.

              • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 23:18
                -1

                @Protractor: Sorry, but if you can't identify hazards of someone walking in the middle of the road I don't know what to tell you. Plus anyone that has any experience driving will tell you that car parks never do shared traffic zones in one way areas for the reason of safety.

              • Mugsy on 11/10/2023 - 09:12
                +1

                @Protractor: There's no point trying to convince this guy. He came here looking for validation and is now more defensive than Ukraine has had to be over the past few years.

                We can only hope that safety programs similar to those like Zero Harm in the construction industry are made for the average Joe and rolled out as part of all driver training to minimise the number of ignorant people on the road.

  • Myone888 on 10/10/2023 - 11:18

    If there is an accident with car damages then you are in the wrong and ur at fault and therefore claim AGAINST UR insurance. Means next year ur premium will go up.

  • LFO on 10/10/2023 - 12:01
    -6

    What's your take on this? Is it okay to go against the flow in a car park to grab a spot, or should we always follow the one-way system?

    Yes it is OK.

    Whilst being in a "car park" the purpose is "to park" your vehicle as soon as possible, to get out of the way, rather than "to wait your turn".

    Those that bitch against your action is mainly because they probably are unable to think and act quickly … and have no car-park driving skills either.

    If morons in gargantuan blob vehicles choose to go slow due to their incompetence then should pay for it and wait.

    City cars sized rock!

    • digitalbath on 10/10/2023 - 13:36
      +5

      Nah. It’s because we aren’t c#%^s. This behaviour, and the subsequent asking in a public forum is just typical of a personality disorder. They OP doesn’t really want clarification or guidance. They just want to announce to the world (anonymously mind you) that they think they are superior to everyone else. Usual BPD or narcissistic behaviour.
      And judging by their responses to only certain posts. I’m pretty sure I’m correct in my diagnosis.

      • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 13:46

        Thanks doctor

        • digitalbath on 11/10/2023 - 13:24

          Welcome. Can get free 10 mental health sessions. You should look into it.

      • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 15:42
        +1

        LOL.

        Now tell us about yourself.

    • Ughhh on 11/10/2023 - 06:38

      your vehicle as soon as possible,

      In a civilised and safe manner. You're not in some jungle and hopefully, not some wild animal.

      • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 15:52
        -1

        Assertiveness counts as civil and safe.

        Timidness doesn't.

        Sheep-like attitude counts as timidness.

        • digitalbath on 11/10/2023 - 19:09
          +2

          You can be assertive without being an entitled c$&@.
          And being polite and using manners doesn’t make you a sheep.

          • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 19:42
            +1

            @digitalbath: And calling others names is a sign of having no real, valid arguments.

            Sheepishly following others is not necessarily being polite.

            • digitalbath on 12/10/2023 - 06:55
              +1

              @LFO: No valid argument is needed here when the OP is obviously a selfish, entitled “person”. There’s no defence for being a d$&@.
              Are you the OP in disguise?

              • LFO on 12/10/2023 - 13:05

                @digitalbath: Personal attack is another flag to show "no civil arguments"

                • digitalbath on 12/10/2023 - 13:43
                  +1

                  @LFO: Defending the inconsiderate & entitled is a flag to show “you’re also entitled and inconsiderate”.

                  • LFO on 13/10/2023 - 13:14

                    @digitalbath: First a neutral empire/judge needs to asses if there is anyone being "inconsiderate & entitled"

                    So far this is one-side only that "assumes" sanctity and judgmental rights.

        • Ughhh on 12/10/2023 - 07:46

          Sheep-like attitude counts as timidness

          Unless you've been in jail countless times, you're a sheep too for following rules and laws in a society.

          Having class doesn't make you timid.

          • LFO on 12/10/2023 - 13:14
            -2

            @Ughhh: There are rules and there is brainwashing.

            Following painted arrows in a busy road/lane is common sense and adds to being efficient.

            Following painted arrows in thoroughly empty road/lanes could be a sign of being brain-dead due to indoctrination; a tell-me-what-to-do approach.

            They are gigantically different approaches.

            Unconditional unquestioned subservient obedience versus logically accommodating to the circumstances.

            • digitalbath on 13/10/2023 - 15:44

              @LFO: Haha. Whatever helps you sleep at night. You can’t win this one. You and people like you are what’s wrong with this world. The entitled will be the death of us. Regardless of which rules/laws they choose to abide by.
              Is it better to be brain washed by “the man” or the unhinged? I don’t know. I choose neither. But what I won’t do is inconvenience and shit on the rest of the population because I think I’m superior to them.

              • LFO on 14/10/2023 - 14:53
                +1

                @digitalbath: LOL, the pathologically dogmatic are the death of us.

                As they not only believe they are right and correct but censor the rest as wrong and at fault.

                Abandon hope …

  • smurftastic on 10/10/2023 - 15:30
    -1

    In Australia the general rule is very simple:
    Rules are there to stop stupid people doing stupid things. Since I'm not stupid, and am breaking it for the right reasons, then it's fine for me to do it, hence these rules do not apply to me

  • dcash on 10/10/2023 - 15:47
    +2

    Looking at your MS Paint diagram, that's not "a few spaces away". What you did was plain rude.

  • azero on 10/10/2023 - 16:18

    D!ck move so use only when necessary

  • Eeples on 10/10/2023 - 17:08
    +2

    The fuller the car park is the ruder (and more dangerous) it is.

    If it’s pretty empty I don’t have a problem with it.

    This pales compared to passengers jumping out of a car and standing in the space until the car gets there. Now, that’s wrong.

    • syousef on 11/10/2023 - 19:12
      +1

      Result is the same either way. They're both equally obnoxious.

  • tinx on 10/10/2023 - 18:19

    This reminds me when my wife was lining up before aldi store open for their snow clothes sale.

    A “lady” just go to the front of the lines waiting on the side.

    When asked by someone, she said “but the lines are so long”

    I mean wth.

    • Protractor on 10/10/2023 - 21:36

      I'm sure that lady looks like a lot of other ladies. Aldi attracts them

    • ginormousgiraffe on 10/10/2023 - 23:19

      If you want a group of the most wild characters you will ever see, go to aldi at opening on a Wednesday morning.

  • Nickels n Dimes on 10/10/2023 - 21:00
    +3

    Motorola G Power 5G range have 120Hz screens, tick nearly every box on a Samsung phone, and cost $350-600 depending on model. Moto phones only come in one size though, which is about the size of an iPhone Pro.

    • Protractor on 10/10/2023 - 21:35

      ?

    • ihfree on 11/10/2023 - 09:43

      Deactivated OP would have loved to receive this advice

  • Click_It on 10/10/2023 - 23:16

    Not sure why but this story reminded me of something that happened a few years ago to me. Not really the same thing but worth sharing I guess.

    I pulled into a car spot outside the Kindergarten to pick up my daughter. There was a car way down the road apparently reverse parking into said spot (like 50 meters away at least), anyway I never him, parked and got out to wait for my girl. As I was waiting at the gate he came running down threatening to "punch the living #$!# out of me", big hero in front of all the parents and scaring the toddlers. I just said to him "You're doing this here? Really?", he mumbled and backed down. I never saw that guy ever again at the school, my guess is he breached an AVO that day.

  • wildstone on 11/10/2023 - 01:37

    On an slightly related matter about parking, do you guys find that people here will just take their time to reverse out from the spot, even though they know that a car is signaled and waiting to park into the spot?

    It is especially frustrating on narrow car parks where it will form a line when the front of the car is waiting for the spot to be cleared. The parked car will just take their time, even after starting the car, to reverse out of the spot.

    • pnt on 11/10/2023 - 09:35

      Meanwhile the are listening to Denis Leary "I drive really slow in the ultra fast lane".

  • cunningdrew on 11/10/2023 - 09:32

    I'm not proud… but I have done this. I would check if there are cars coming or going, if not… it's open. If a car park exists in the woods and there is nobody around……

    • ihfree on 11/10/2023 - 09:42
      +1

      Who hasn't done it in an empty car park?

      • cunningdrew on 11/10/2023 - 09:52

        Yep! When I was 19 and still living at home, my girlfriend at the time and I…. oh wait. Sorry, misunderstanding there.

        • ihfree on 11/10/2023 - 13:56

          Seems fine, as long as you got to the parking spot legally and parked properly.

  • cucumber on 11/10/2023 - 10:24

    If you are the only car there yes I encourage it because you're saving fuel/electricity, tyre and brake pad, however marginally.

  • iNeed2Pee on 11/10/2023 - 14:23
    +1

    People so butt hurt about a car park place but then are the first to complain on here when a price error occurs and they do not have it full filled.

  • LFO on 11/10/2023 - 15:45
    +1

    This is getting old but … how do you know if all those car "in front" are trying to park or are trying to get out?
    Remember, it is a one way scenario.

    That changes the whole bitching game, doesn't it.

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