Having learned to drive as an adult, my experience with driver education isn't really all that old. Despite being in my late(ish) forties, I have only been driving for approximately 15 years. As a rather nervous adult student, I paid very close attention to what they told me... And I honestly don't remember there being a series of "parking lot rules".
Thursday evening after work, I headed over to the grocery store to pick up a few things - actually quite a few things. Living in the country, I am often surprised at how much less expensive it is to buy some things in the city. Every so often, I take advantage of this and drive to work so I can run errands afterwards. I pull into the parking lot and start scanning the lot for a spot to park. I don't mind walking a bit. I don't need to be right at the door. I spotted a couple of spots side by side. I pulled into one of the just as the woman in the facing spot was backing out. I looked quickly and drove through. Imagine my surprise when some "lady" puts down her window and says:
You're not supposed to enter the spot from behind!
My reply: Is that a rule?
Her response: Yes - it is!!!
My reply: Is that written down?
Her response: Seriously!!!
Following which she drove away... Now, if I had seen her waiting for the spot, I wouldn't have pulled through - no big deal. I've had the same thing happen to me many times, and while it can be irksome, I just move along and find another spot. Over the past couple of days, I have been watching people more carefully in parking lots to try to determine whether I was really doing something that just isn't done. Having witnessed many drive throughs, I've got to say that it appears to be common practice. I'm pretty sure that they told me in drivers education that this was perfectly acceptable, and could actually be the safest thing to do, but I am still questioning myself. So - tell me, are there parking lot rules that I just don't know about? Have risked bad parking lot karma? While I know that I don't always succeed, I do at least try to be polite and considerate.
I found the whole thing to be rather shocking and off putting. I consoled myself with the Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting...
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2 comments:
She sounds absolutely ridiculous unless it is some NB law that no one knows about. I have had my driver's permit since 1965 and have never heard that one before. I think she was just an "odd bird" to be polite. Haven't seen you in ages - hope all is well.
I always try for a drive through spot. She was probably just miffed you got there first. It happens.
Elizabeth
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