Another Starbucks incident - this time with PICS!

Still chuckling from Phil G's Starbucks confrontation the other week, I went into Starbucks after lunch. When I pulled up, there were three open spaces to the right, and two open spaces to the left. I'm thinking "even if someone pulls in, there's plenty of space." So, I walk out, and there he is - the mysterious ****box SUV, right on the white line, so close I can hardly get in. I look around and see the guy walking up with a sandwich to sit at one of the patio tables, and I start cracking up at the absurdity of it all. I stand about 10 feet from him, break out the Treo, and snap a pic. I'm thinking this is the same guy, roaming from state to state, hating on the pcar drivers.

lol i hate it when that happens

This isn't exclusive to p-car owners. Earlier today I went to Boarders and parked at the back of the parking lot against a curb. When I came out their was a minivan parked right next to my Z. Guess why they were parked so close!? Because Starbucks parking lot was full so they parked in a different parking lot.

Yeah that kills me....I can be the ONLY car in the parking lot...I come out and some mini van parked RIGHT NEXT to me and TOO CLOSE! Why? This is psychological I am convinced. There is a need for some people to line up....fall in line and they see a "leader" and wanna fall in right behind it, or in this case, next to it.

Rick, that's classic! All you needed was for the pickup parked across from you to move next to you. Then you would have had the perfect storm!

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me...

By looking at your pictures, I see alot of wrong things and unfortunately they are not towards the SUV guy. 1- Always find a parking that minimize your chances of getting ding. I would of taken the spot next to the bush, atleast you reduce your chances by 50%. 2- You are not dead center in your own spot. Looks lke alot more room on passenger side then driver side. If SUV does the same thing towards your car, for sure it will reduce the space to get in your car. It sucks but in your situation, you couldn't of done anything since he is well within is spot.

Rick, I can't believe you didn't say anything to the bastard, thereby risking your life like I did. And I'd swear that's the same goddam SUV as parked next to me at Starbucks last weekend!! IT'S HIM!!! He's out to get ALL of us.

There's a word for people like that - jerkoff.

Nutbeem, good post, but I've got to second CWay27. The best available spot in that photo is the one to your far left as you were pulling in - you'd have had one side completely safe, and you could have shaded it to the left for an extra buffer against any car parking where the SUV did. I suspect you were thinking about the trees, but door dings are worse than tree droppings. And it's winter, anyway.

It wouldn't **** me off unless there was a passenger in the vehicle, in this particular case. I'm betting he was the only one in the Explorer.

Cway, although I greatly respect the opinion of anyone driving a 964, the greatest of the air cooled Porsches, you're off the mark here. Here's why: 1. I didn't take the bush spot because I hate having to open the door INTO the bush, thereby endangering both my paint and my clothing. I expected that the plentiful spaces on either side would provide the protection needed. 2. Actually, it may not look it, but I'm almost dead center in my space. Mr. SUV is almost ON his line, displaying CLEAR contempt and disdain for the pcar. Indeed, I should have taken ANOTHER shot from the rear, which would have more clearly showed this most shocking example of his malicious intent!

I think the Explorer dude didn't want to be near the bush either and was leaving extra room for someone who may have to park next to the bush.

Respect has nothing to do with this. You are making a big fuss out of nothing. If you don't want to take the spot next to the bush and backing into it and therefore reducing your chances of getting a ding, well it's your problem. You took this spot for no particular reason just lke the next Joe that parked next to you. You didn't want to take space next the bush and neither did he, so it doesn't leave alot of spaces to park if you take the one in the middle. The guy was well within his spot so what do want more. Next time leave the car in the garage

Should have done what any self-respecing Porsche owner does at Starbucks and parked across two spaces.

Hey Nutbeen, make sure you share that top pic with the Camry in the background. Looks like he's going to get hit by BOTH the Chevy AND the Land Rover. Does no one respect the Camry anymore? Maybe its just me, but it seems in general parking spaces have gotten narrower and the "beautification" of parking lots with "grassy medians, trees and other crap" over the years has reduced parking lot efficiencies. I go to a parking lot to park my car, not whip out a blanket and have a damn picnic. ok. Rant off

Now you're really asking for enemies!! Just like I said in the other thread; anytime you take your car out, you are taking chances. Now the question is are you willing to take those chances, if not well leave the car home and if so, well live with it. You won't change the world and even more so the idiots!!

nutbeem sorry you failed at p-car parking 101. please do a search and read all about parking a p-car. question for the class, what is the best spot/position in this pic.? as for the suziki pos, it's just what they are, as always, pos.

Did you spend a few minutes examining that side of the car to make sure he didn't do any damage? I would give him a souvenir on his SUV if I find the faintest ding or trace of paint. I've had fights with the wife on several occasions when in situations like that. I told her, I have to do what I have to do to ******** like that. That's the least that they deserve.

I'd always take the corner lot if available, and park all the way to the curb. If not available, I'd park several rows further away in the first available corner lot. Walking keeps you fit anyway... If I HAVE to park in the middle of danger all around, I would feel very uncomfortable and would try to finish doing what I have to do and get the hell out of there fast.

It must be a Starbucks thing. I parked as far away, in an open, corner spot with no other cars around, and plenty of open spots surrounding my spot, and went in to Starbucks to get some coffee. I walk out after paying a hefty price for some nasty tasting coffee, and there is a beat up 1970'ish rust bucket of a pickup truck parked about eight inches from my passenger door. As I walk up to see if the guy had creased the side of my car by opening his door, a guy sticks his head out the window of the truck and says "just ****in with you dude". This stuff is real!

Yah, I agree - I failed miserably. In light of recent posts, however, I thought it was funny as hell. If I get too stressed about door dings, I'd stroke out by the time I hit 40. Oreganet, I'll take your advice anytime I need to release my inner jerk -

Release it, let it fly and be free.

Or taken the first option, and backed in (grin)

you're right!!! remember always take the dead end corner spot. and bushes are your best friend to guard your door.

Agreed. Also, all too often these so called beautification features are poorly maintained and turn into receptacles for cigarette butts and other assorted trash.

I think that was pretty funny, he's playing on your fear and recogizes that it's something we all hate. And he didn't do it (I hope.) Since he was in the truck he was doing it with the intention of seeing your reaction. Pretty good.

You have no idea how good you have it here in the US. Try the tiny parking spaces in a typical UK 'Car Park'. It's no wonder we drove so many MINIs back in the UK - it was the only car that fit the spaces. Seriously - don't start bitching about US spaces

I did have a laugh after I realized that the guy was just screwing with me.

TCR, that is too funny! I burst out laughing...

that is funny

It's good to see i'm not the only one who parks in the back of the parking lot regardless of the weather. You guys are just as bad about it as I am!

just park in middle of 2 spots next time when you are in an empty lot.

What a Dick... I usually back in as far out as possible. Along a curb if there is one.

I just gave up....try to park where one side is not a parking space and just hope for the best....all the other things gave me heartburn..or ache...or.....

You guys need to get some rental cars and wait for him to park, get out, and go inside. Then park on either side of his vehicle so close he can't get back into it. A third guy can bring his 9996 as bait, then pull out shortly after he gets there and the rental cars can pull in.

Dear Forum Members, there is a much much easier solution to all of this....STOP drinking overpriced coffees

I've read with great interest all the parking lot stories on Rennlist. What always seems to get overlooked (with the exception of newport996's post) is that humans, and mammals in general, are pack animals. We thrive under the safety in numbers philosophy. I've noticed people parking close to me whenever I've parked off in the distance whether I was in my Porsche, BMW, or even the cherirshed VW Corrado SLC of olden days. It boils down to the 'follow the leader' principle espoused by newport996. It's peculiar because the same instinct is reversed in bathrooms. That's right, go into any bathroom with multiple urinals and go about your business. Almost without exception, fellow stallers will stand as far away as possible from you. Indeed, can you imagine walking into a bathroom with 5 urinals and standing right next to the guy standing all the way to the left (so as to reduce this likelihood by 50%)? It's crazy, fellas, I tell you. Just crazy. So the moral is, you only take the parking space/urinal next to another driver/pisser when all other options are exhausted. Pass the word. P.S. - Don't even get me started on sitting in stalls and having a conversation with the person in the occupied stall next to you!

Rick, gotta agree that you failed at P-car parking 101. Never leave yourself in a more vulnerable situation than you already are by being in a public parking lot. Always take the open corner spot and park with the passenger side against the curbside if there are bushes. In your case, that means backing into the corner space. If you're carrying a passenger, then drop him/her off first before parking. I always follow this same routine whenever possible, and I've never had a door ding at a parking lot.

As you and everyone who ever watches "C.S.I." knows, you need to carry around a full tool kit with you, with the little number markers and rulers that you place on the ground before taking the picture. This way you could reliably prove in a court of law that you were, in fact, parked in the geographical center of the parking spot as you allege in your affidavit. I also have to take issue with your statement that Mr. SUV is displaying clear contempt and disdain. You state, he is "almost" on his line. Well, I think most here would agree, if he had actually parked on the line then the disdain would be most evident. As it is, he is within said boundaries, and besides, you ever try to park a fookin' SUV? Geez, you can't see crap out of those things! Hell, you should be happy that he didn't trample some of the foliage as he maneuvered that ozone depleting, global warming, baby seal killing monstrosity in the parking lot. Michael

I had the same thought. I see a corner spot I dive for it instinctively. Sometimes I don't pull in all the way so that the next guy's driver side door is closer to my front fender than my passenger door. Also, I try and park as close to that curb or bush as possible. Obviously I exit from the passenger side. A little inconvenience can save you an expensive repair. Sometimes I skip the parking lot altogether if parking is available on the street. I did that this weekend at a WHole foods lot where I noticed all of 8 inches between cars. The missus thinks I'm psycho, I should show her the $3,500 quote I got for color matching a new front bumper and one fender from a top rated shop.

Maybe the SUV guy was protecting himself from dings. Good odds for him in this case. And he parked close to line to leave room to get out on the side by the bush.

Hillarious!

Why not back in and exit from the driver's side? If Becca is with me, I'll let her get out if I'm pulling in close on the passenger side. She doesn't mind, because she knows she will get picked up at the door, on the way out.

I feel that if I back into a spot it will draw more attention to the car. I try to avoid that in an unattended parking lot. Parking lots are just a bad scene...

I'm not sure if someone already mentioned it but you always want to park next to another nice car if there is a choice. Chances are that the other driver is also as **** about his car as you and will be very careful when opening his door. tw

Thanks for the laugh guys. I think you are giving the SUV driver more credit that he deserves. He probably didn't notice the car next to him was not a Camry. He probably was happy at having parked his car inside the line so he has no more cares. If you let yourself worry about people invading "your" space when they are still on their side of the line then you'll be the one having a heart attack.

Maybe the guy really loved his truck and figured the only place in the lot that no one would open their door into him was next to the Porsche?

That wouldn't be a sure bet, I don't trust anyone, I'll trust the bush or the corner curb.

What a comment on humanity when we'd gladly take a bush over our fellow humans. Granted, although there's a lot of sarcasm in my "obvioius disdain" comment, he did actually just sit on the patio and stare at me while I slithered my way inside the car. I suppose I deserved it, much the same way a person who leaves his front door unlocked deserves to have his plasma TV stolen, but still....

These two are actually some what related. If you drive a sports (sporty) car, people merely "suspect" that you have a small *****. However, if you stand next to another guy at the urinal, and the guy next to you happens to glance your way, he will KNOW that you have a small *****... and if that guy starts to chuckle, then ALL of the other guys in the bathroom will also KNOW that you have a small *****. It's better to be "suspected" of having a "half pint" than to be KNOWN for having a "half pint!"

Idiot SUV drivers will use the parked car on their right to gauge the width of the parking spot they're trying to enter; because they're used to taller cars as reference, the lower your car, the closer they're gonna park. So, if the SUV's passenger side is really close to your car then they're just bad drivers; if the driver's side is closest to your car, then they're simply arseholes -- and if they're right in the middle, they're both.

Now you are paranoid. The other driver does not know you, does not care about you, does not know your doors are longer than the average and really does not know that you are so worried about getting a ding. I have had to open the windows on my car one time, let off the handbrake and push it out of a parking space in frankfurt airport to get into my car. However I cannot assume the other drivers were being cruel to me personally. They probably had a plane to catch, dumped their cars in the available spaces and unknowingly created a problem for me. Maybe you should post your rules for parking lots to help SUV drivers and other learn: 1. at least one space each side of your Porsche should be left free, 2. the following types of cars may not use the car park at the same time as you,: SUV's, pick-ups, anything with rust, and, most important, anything with body damage, 3. All others using the car park at the same time must have an advanced drivers certificate (including parallel parking) and take at least two Porsche sensitivity pills one hour before entering the parking. did I miss anything?

Tim, I seriously just lost it in my office. I mean, full on LOL. Everyone thought I was crazy. Your post is one of the funniest things I've read in a while!!!!!! and

Incidentally, I vaguely recall reading somewhere that backing your car in lessens the chances of theft since a would-be thief is in fuller view while 'rigging' your vehicle.

Shouldn't we care more about driving than parking our cars?

Parking is not for the faint of heart! TW

I'll get that printed on a roof top sign that I can set up every time I park. Across two spaces. Backed in. By the bush.

I guess this has already been stated, but I don't see anything wrong with how the SUV driver parked. 1. He's probably not an enthusiast and to him your car is no different from the Hyundais he parks next to every day. 2. He probably had to park somewhat far away from the bush so he could exit his own vehicle. Honestly, unless you're 300lbs, it shouldn't have been THAT hard to get into your car. Most people want to park as close to their destination as possible. I want to park so I have less of a chance of someone parking next to me and so there is less of a chance someone will walk by my car and accidentally scratch it. So I end up parking in some end spot in the boondocks and enjoying the walk. Never, ever, ever EVER park across more than one spot. You're just ASKING to get keyed if you do something that blatantly rude.

Several years ago when I was much younger and I didn't have an appreciation for pcars and such. I was guilty of a "close parking job". In return I got the following business card on my wind screen. "Thank you for parking so close. Next time, please leave a f**king can opener, so I can get in. People like you should take the bus" Thank You.... I kept the card in my wallet for years until I was on the recieving end of such a parking job...

So I pull into my office complex early this morning, I have to run in for about 3 minutes to grab some files before a meeting. The ENTIRE ROW of parking spaces is open - I'm only going to be in there 3 minutes. I'm not even to the top of the stairs, and the black Caddy cruises down the length of the lot and.......... parks right next to me. Note that she went into an office that has the door right in FRONT of the parking spaces on the right side of the pic - she had at least 30 different spots to choose, almost any of which would have been more convenient. For all you non-996 drivers who seem to feel I'm over the top on this, let me be clear - I am not saying she has no right to park there, but come on people... ALSO: www.youparklikeanasshole.com - the guy was on the radio on KROQ this morning, how appropriate.

Does that apply to rear-engine cars too?

You think you guys have it bad here in the US - but like I said, the UK parking lots are insane!! Check this example out.... UK EXTREME PARKING

Then there is of course, this UK parking 'classic' - WOMEN FIGHT FOR PARKING SPACE - WITH THEIR CARS!

Oh dear God that had to be a joke. That couldn't possible be real.

And the piece de resistance UK Parallel Parking - With Russ Swift

It's not a conspiracy to anyone who wants to minimize their chances of getting dinked. Find the most expensive or well taken-care of car and park beside it. I feel much better parking near these people feeling that my chances of getting dinked will be minimum. So if I can't park on the end, this is the next best alternative. So if you park in the middle of nowhere and see someone parking next to you, they're probably hedging their bet also, unless it's an SUV and then let the conspiracy begin.

I presume your kidding, but if not: it applies to any car. Thieves generally hot wire your car from inside.

Maybe she's hoping that some of the "FAST" will rub off on her car..........

I used to live in France and we all know parking is tough over there especially in the city (Paris), but that video has to be for a TV show, as no-one in their right mind is dumb enough to do such things to his/her car, also to other car, crazy!. Though the surveillance video example must be real and some people are indeed mad with over-board "Road-rage"

You are correct - the Extreme Parking Video is a set-up, but the two women drivers fighting it out for the parking space with their cars is real. The parallel parking video is a long time UK stunt driver who's been doing this stunt for years, since he perfected it for a car commercial for Rover cars.

Since I didn't have any significant "******* parking" tales to relay, I decided to add to the previous post. I'm glad I could give you a good laugh on a Friday! It kinda puts a whole new meaning to the phrase "half-pint" dosen't it!

Actually Mr. Swift is a previous champion in the UK and Irish sport of "autotesting". This is a series of tests where there are manouvers forwards and backwards and many handbrake turns and head throws in between. Have a look here to get and idea of the sport: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...otesting&hl=en or here http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vi...b53c4b4.527033 and then imagine learning and doing 10 of these tests in one days competition.

this is the way to park http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T4T886ZSNY