How to amuse yourself with people trying to snipe a parking spot

**PeeAye Native** · 12-04-2009, 04:59 PM

Around this time of the year, with parking lots at local shopping draws close to full, it can be great fun playing with the people trying to snipe a spot.

Especially the obnoxious and annoying drivers who block other cars from turning, mess up the already slow flow of traffic, or who are only half paying attention while they have a cell phone sandwiched between their ear and shoulder, with their head half cocked.

Say there's someone obviously waiting, or even better, slowly driving down a lane of parking, sort of watching people walking to and from, to see who is going to get into a car and pull out and free up a prime spot. You can play with these people by making simple eye contact and kind of throwing your head as if to say, over here. Then you walk between two cars in the row of cars, moving to the next lane. And of course slowly or purposely losing the ignoramus who fell for your signals.

Note that I only do this when the people are oblivious (purposely or otherwise) to the open parking spots a hundred yards away, at the end of the lot or, where, god forbid, Mr. or Ms. Sniper will have to walk an extra 200 yards.

It's especially satisfying to do this to the self important looking jerks. Middle aged women driving Range Rovers, who look like they just had cosmetic surgery, or middle aged males, who look like lawyers, driving black Mercedes, and especially when they give the impression I'm too busy or too important, to walk from the back of the parking lot, so I'll just block traffic while I wait for someone to pull out.

**Litter Box** · 12-04-2009, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

Around this time of the year, with parking lots at local shopping draws close to full, it can be great fun playing with the people trying to snipe a spot.

Especially the obnoxious and annoying drivers who block other cars from turning, mess up the already slow flow of traffic, or who are only half paying attention while they have a cell phone sandwiched between their ear and shoulder, with their head half cocked.

Say there's someone obviously waiting, or even better, slowly driving down a lane of parking, sort of watching people walking to and from, to see who is going to get into a car and pull out and free up a prime spot. You can play with these people by making simple eye contact and kind of throwing your head as if to say, over here. Then you walk between two cars in the row of cars, moving to the next lane. And of course slowly or purposely losing the ignoramus who fell for your signals.

Note that I only do this when the people are oblivious (purposely or otherwise) to the open parking spots a hundred yards away, at the end of the lot or, where, god forbid, Mr. or Ms. Sniper will have to walk an extra 200 yards.

It's especially satisfying to do this to the self important looking jerks. Middle aged women driving Range Rovers, who look like they just had cosmetic surgery, or middle aged males, who look like lawyers, driving black Mercedes, and especially when they give the impression I'm too busy or too important, to walk from the back of the parking lot, so I'll just block traffic while I wait for someone to pull out.

I like you !

**JBL** · 12-07-2009, 08:44 AM

Ah...yes. It's Christmas Time again isn't it?

Big fan of the back-out-wait-I-forgot-something-pull-back-in-and-leave-for-the-store maneuver.

**desolate** · 12-07-2009, 09:10 AM

I have doe this as well.

THe whole "here's my car oh wait it's not"

Last time was the person who cut me off on City Ave then I ran into them in the Target lot.

Although I just got out of my car it was fun to toy with them like that.

**JugglerDave** · 12-07-2009, 09:20 AM

The distance from the *furthest parking spot at King of Prussia from an entrance (right next to Mall Blvd, on the far side of the loop road) to the entrance is 0.16 miles.

Or, about the same as walking on walnut st. between 18th and 16th street.

People are funny when they get in their cars.

**cwd22** · 12-07-2009, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by JugglerDave

The distance from the *furthest parking spot at King of Prussia from an entrance (right next to Mall Blvd, on the far side of the loop road) to the entrance is 0.16 miles.

Or, about the same as walking on walnut st. between 18th and 16th street.

People are funny when they get in their cars.

The people who refuse to park that far away are probably the ones who take the subway from City Hall to Walnut-Locust.

**xxxTHX1138xxx** · 02-06-2010, 08:33 PM

what I do is sit in my car for along time and make them wait for my spot or until they finally get pissed and move on.

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

Around this time of the year, with parking lots at local shopping draws close to full, it can be great fun playing with the people trying to snipe a spot.

Especially the obnoxious and annoying drivers who block other cars from turning, mess up the already slow flow of traffic, or who are only half paying attention while they have a cell phone sandwiched between their ear and shoulder, with their head half cocked.

Say there's someone obviously waiting, or even better, slowly driving down a lane of parking, sort of watching people walking to and from, to see who is going to get into a car and pull out and free up a prime spot. You can play with these people by making simple eye contact and kind of throwing your head as if to say, over here. Then you walk between two cars in the row of cars, moving to the next lane. And of course slowly or purposely losing the ignoramus who fell for your signals.

Note that I only do this when the people are oblivious (purposely or otherwise) to the open parking spots a hundred yards away, at the end of the lot or, where, god forbid, Mr. or Ms. Sniper will have to walk an extra 200 yards.

It's especially satisfying to do this to the self important looking jerks. Middle aged women driving Range Rovers, who look like they just had cosmetic surgery, or middle aged males, who look like lawyers, driving black Mercedes, and especially when they give the impression I'm too busy or too important, to walk from the back of the parking lot, so I'll just block traffic while I wait for someone to pull out.

**theatergypsy** · 02-10-2010, 11:11 AM

As we all know, a prediction of snow brings out the bread, milk and eggs people, each one determined to park in front of the door. I'm never one to panic about "running out of food", since I can't recall being snowed in for more than 24 hours since '93. But yesterday I found myself out of milk. Out. As in, none left. Empty carton. So I betook myself to the store to pick up a quart. (Lasts me a couple of days.)

The prediction was for 8" to 10" Tuesday into Wednesday, which is nothing compared with what you guys have going on to add to your 2'. Forgetting all about the forecast, I ended up at the Super WalMart and got in line with my milk, three bananas and a box of tissues. The lines, the ones that were open at any rate, were five or six deep, so it took a little time to get checked out.

When I was headed to the parking lot, a determined woman in an SUV damned near ran over me trying to get to what she perceived was an empty spot. (It wasn't). Then she decided to follow me as I walked down the row to my car. So I decided it was a good time to clean out my console. And my passenger seat. And the glove box. And the back seat. She stuck her head out the window and yelled, "You leavin' any time soon?"
I feigned hard of hearing, smiled, waved and said, "Thanks. You, too."
With that, she left.

I felt a little bad. Until I remembered she almost ran over me. Then, not so much.

**Sycamore** · 02-10-2010, 01:18 PM

This thread is the most passive aggressive display I've seen in a long time.

**nsm** · 02-12-2010, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

As we all know, a prediction of snow brings out the bread, milk and eggs people, each one determined to park in front of the door. I'm never one to panic about "running out of food", since I can't recall being snowed in for more than 24 hours since '93. But yesterday I found myself out of milk. Out. As in, none left. Empty carton. So I betook myself to the store to pick up a quart. (Lasts me a couple of days.)

The prediction was for 8" to 10" Tuesday into Wednesday, which is nothing compared with what you guys have going on to add to your 2'. Forgetting all about the forecast, I ended up at the Super WalMart and got in line with my milk, three bananas and a box of tissues. The lines, the ones that were open at any rate, were five or six deep, so it took a little time to get checked out.

When I was headed to the parking lot, a determined woman in an SUV damned near ran over me trying to get to what she perceived was an empty spot. (It wasn't). Then she decided to follow me as I walked down the row to my car. So I decided it was a good time to clean out my console. And my passenger seat. And the glove box. And the back seat. She stuck her head out the window and yelled, "You leavin' any time soon?"
I feigned hard of hearing, smiled, waved and said, "Thanks. You, too."
With that, she left.

I felt a little bad. Until I remembered she almost ran over me. Then, not so much.

Thats just mean, try to be more considerate. I really dont think she tried to run you down. A little kindness goes a long way.

**PeeAye Native** · 02-12-2010, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by nsm

Thats just mean, try to be more considerate. I really dont think she tried to run you down. A little kindness goes a long way.

You're missing the point. The consideration and kindness in these situations works in both directions.

**theatergypsy** · 02-13-2010, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by nsm

Thats just mean, try to be more considerate. I really dont think she tried to run you down. A little kindness goes a long way.

meh

**nsm** · 02-14-2010, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

You're missing the point. The consideration and kindness in these situations works in both directions.

I can understand your point, but doesnt it feel better to take the high road?

**PeeAye Native** · 02-14-2010, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by nsm

I can understand your point, but doesnt it feel better to take the high road?

Truthfully, in the situations I described -- the people who block traffic into and out of the entire parking lot until a spot opens -- no, it doesn't.

**Phillyurban8** · 03-09-2010, 10:34 PM

This thread smacks of male adolescence. When I'm in a parking lot, I very much appreciate people who get into their cars and leave, instead of dickering around; I try to do the same -- always. I've never seen anyone block an entry to a parking lot either. Surely you exaggerate as a basis to be mean spirited dicks.

What goes around, comes around, guys.

**PeeAye Native** · 03-10-2010, 02:16 AM

You call it mean-spirited adolescent dickishness. I call it amusing oneself with people who think the rest of humanity can wait while they block the flow of traffic to wait on a front row parking spot.

**PeeAye Native** · 11-27-2010, 05:14 AM

Seasonal Bump!

**Braveheart** · 11-29-2010, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

Seasonal Bump!

You are one sick puppy, but that's OK so is everyone else.
Another fun antic is to shut the car off but leave it in reverse for the backin' out lights, if you're only running in for
15 minutes or so.

Here's an example of approved hand signals for the holidays when you're just putting a package in the car:

**JBL** · 11-29-2010, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Phillyurban8

This thread smacks of male adolescence. When I'm in a parking lot, I very much appreciate people who get into their cars and leave, instead of dickering around; I try to do the same -- always. I've never seen anyone block an entry to a parking lot either. Surely you exaggerate as a basis to be mean spirited dicks.

What goes around, comes around, guys.

Huh?

Well, then you're just not trying. The epitome of this behavior lies at the Wawa in Cherry Hill/Pennsauken at the fork of Route 38 and Route 70. Outside of the fact that this takes place, it backs people out onto the 3-laned, 55 mph Route 38. It happens EVERY SINGLE DAY there...I kid you not.

Since you draw excellent conclusions, I will go the extra step and say that using the handicapped spots directly out front when an OCEAN of spots is available and Wawa having to cover the edges of the handicapped signs in foam padding has all stemmed from the same drivers.