...sometimes I hate people...

[x88x]

Ok, so to set the scene, the parking at my apartment sucks. No reserved spots because..well, they wouldn't work, and nowhere near enough parking spots to accommodate everyone's 2 allocated vehicles. After coming in late one night and having to walk a quarter of a mile to get to my apartment....and then walk that quarter of a mile the next morning in the pouring rain, I decided something needed to be done about this. Right outside my apartment (which is right next to the stairwell), there's a fire hydrant, and thus a fire lane. Now, since my two vehicles are a car and a motorcycle, I had a great idea. Why don't I just park them both in the same spot? Normally that wouldn't work but because of the fire lane, if I use one of the spots next to it, I can just pull my bike in from the side. So the next day, on the way from class to work, when the parking lot was conveniently empty, I configured myself like so:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/parking.png
(car on left is for reference)

Wonderful, yes? When I need one vehicle, I use it, then I come back and have a reserved parking spot waiting for me! :banana: This way I open up another of the too few parking spots for someone else to use, plus as an added bonus, I get a consistent parking spot. And the best one in the lot too. So it's a win-win scenario, right?

Well, I'd been doing this for about a month, then tonight I get home (had taken my car because it was raining all day), and what do I see? Some self-entitled idiot parked in front of my bike! :evil:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/HPIM0480.jpg

and he didn't even bother to stay in the parking space!
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/HPIM0481.jpg

:bash: :banghead: :bash:

How do I know he's a self-entitled idiot? Well, let's see...brand new black VW Passat, dark tinted windows, including the front windows (illegal in MD), camera flaring license plate covers (also illegal in MD)...that with the parking job...yeah, self-entitled idiot.


grrr....


And of course I have no clue who it is, not that I really know anyone in my building...

So I haven't yet decided if I'm gonna leave a note under the windshield (with my luck that would set off the alarm), or wait and see if it happens again.

...and back to my opening thought. I really hate people sometimes...

[blueonblack]

It goes back to one of my personal mantras: people suck.

Suggestion: How about moving your bike a little further into the parking spot when you leave in the car, then moving it back to its unobtrusive place when you return? Yes, it's a lot of hassle, but that should keep the self-entitled idiots out of your spot. (And it sounds like less hassle than walking a quarter of a mile in the rain.)

[x88x]

Yeah, if I didn't leave a cover on my bike I'd do that; and I might end up having to, but like I said, I've been doing this for a full month and nobody's complained..in fact a couple of my neighbors have commented on what a great idea it is.

I mean, if all I wanted was the good parking spot, I could be a dick about it and park in two separate spots, then whenever I want to use the one right there, switch spots, then switch back when I get back...but that would be a pain...and also that would make me the dick...grrr...stupid people...being stupid... :evil:

[Zephik]

The guy was probably thinking on the lines of...

"Oh whats this? Some self entitled idiot thinks he can park his bike here to "reserve" a public parking space? He doesn't own the space! I'm parking here."

or...

"Oh hey, that's really nice of someone! Instead of taking up the entire parking space with a motorbike, they made room so someone could park here! Smart!"

Maybe I'm just missing something? But it doesn't seem like that person did anything wrong at all.

I'd say put up a sign or send a letter to everyone in the building that explains the situation and that by having this spot reserved for yourself, you're actually freeing up a space for someone else to use. And if people don't like it, then start taking up your two allowed spaces and see how they feel about it then. Also, don't pick the best space in the lot. Pick like the worst one but one that isn't overly inconvenient for you. Like don't pick one where you have to walk a mile for an (exaggerated) example, but also don't pick THE best one either. People will start going "oh, well, why does he get to forever reserve THE BEST SPOT?? Why not that one over there?" etc etc. So pick one of the not-so-great spots to further avoid conflict with anyone. After-all, its not YOUR parking spot and anyone should have an equal chance to get "the good spot".

Always two sides to a coin my friend. Never just one. Just think about it before getting upset. This is the only reason why I'll never understand road rage. Everyone just assumes everyone else is an asshole, which is total ridiculousness. I guess I'm just lucky that I can't help but to use my brain. People don't seem to like to think these days. Its just call this guy an asshole and get on with your lives, never "well maybe he can't get up to speed getting onto the freeway because his vehicle is breaking down and since we're in an economic recession, he can't afford to get it fixed." etc etc. ...etc etc etc. etc.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

It's a shame you don't have designated spaces, or I'd suggest you leave something large and immobile in his. You don't, though, so I'd settle for leaving a note telling him (politely but firmly) to cut it out if he does it again.

If he makes a point of ignoring your note, and (important) he doesn't live in your building, let all the air out of his left front tire. Probably harmless, but very inconvenient for him - the left front in particular so he'll notice before he gets in. However, this could get your bike smashed up, so if he's likely to recognize it, don't try it.

[x88x]

@Zephik:
The problem (other than inconveniencing me) is that motorcycles are fully licensed vehicles, with all associated rights and privileges. One of those rights is to use a full parking spot, and not have someone block them in. If I were parked differently in the spot, his car wouldn't have fit; how is it different that I parked along the end?

It is someone who lives in my building (or somewhere in the complex) because he's got a parking permit. And again I come back to I've been parking like this for a month. If someone had a problem with it, they should have said something to me, or at least the landlords. If somebody had done it the first couple days I wouldn't have been that upset (or surprised) but after a month?


Just think about it before getting upset.
/\ This is why I didn't do something right away, but instead parked my car somewhere else, went inside, got something to eat, and vented about it here. Well, not before getting upset, but before doing something about it.

I've decided that what I'll do is leave a note under his windshield wiper in the morning if it's still there, basically explaining why I park like that and asking that if he has a problem with my parking methods to please discuss it with me instead of hoping I get whatever message he's trying to send.

The problem with using another parking spot is that there are only two spots that would even work for it, and the other one is just as good (I might switch to that one; honestly I wouldn't care about having to walk another 10 feet). The entire reason that it even works is because there's nothing next to it, so I can actually get my bike out, and the next closest spot other than those two is about a quarter mile away.

[Zephik]

Ahh... I can see your point now, but I'd still do what I recommended. Put up a sign explaining everything so people understand without a doubt, and/or send out a letter doing the same. Also, don't take the best spot. Maybe that's why someone parked there? Maybe they were just tired of you forever having the best spot in the lot. That's another possibility. I mean, you can't just assume since nobody has said anything that everyone is fine with it. Humans don't work that way these days. A lot of people avoid conflict like the plague and will just put up with things. ..until they see an opportunity to make a statement without actually making one, like parking in that spot once they had the chance. So maybe that's just their way of saying they're not cool with it. Its a possibility anyways.

I think this is one of those things where something SEEMS wrong with it, but there is actually nothing wrong with it at all. Humans are funny that way sometimes. Take my first impressions for example, that's probably pretty likely exactly how some people would first think about it. But once you explain it, it starts making more and more sense. However, I still think that no matter how you slice it, some people probably won't like that you decided to take the best spot to do this. Its kind of like "heck yea, I got the good spot!" but with you basically permanently there, they don't even have a chance. So that's why I say pick a lesser spot. ...although, by the sounds of it, that may not be an option. Hmm.

Another possibility that I just thought of is jealousy. You're guaranteed a spot no matter what basically, whereas everyone else has to fight for spots. Why should you get a spot, let alone the best spot, guaranteed just because you have a motorcycle? So in that way, it does seem kind of wrong that you can do that whereas they can't. It's not really fair.

This is a bit of a tricky situation. On one side, you free up a spot for other people to use. On the other side, you get a spot no matter what (and currently the best spot) whereas they don't.

Edit:

One option is to just ignore it and be fine with it. In one month this has only happened, I assume, once? And it is a bit unfair that you get a spot no matter what whereas others don't. So putting up with it and being cool with it will make it seem a lot more fair to everyone. You get the spot 90% of the time and every now and again you'll have to scavenge for a spot if someone decided to park there, just like everyone else. Just a thought anyways.

[x88x]

*shrugs* you make some good points, some of which I've thought of in the time that I've had to cool down since I got home. I'm still gonna leave a note if the car's still there in the morning, since I [I]would/I] honestly like to know if he had an ulterior motive. I have this problem that I always want to make everyone happy...which has gotten me in trouble more times than I care to remember....

I've never seen anyone not be able to find a spot at all, it's just that if you try and find a spot later than ~8pm, good luck getting anywhere near your apartment.

[Bopher]

Add 1 Jeep w/ 4WD low + 1500lbs tow strap = 2am project with car in middle of row. Maybe I'm just a little evil there. But if I, and thats just me, saw a bike parked in a space I would like like I have no reason to park there its not my bike. It would have stunk if he misjudged and hit the bike. I'd feel horrible even if I just touched it and did no damage.

[billygoat333]

I think the guy was just being an asshole, unless he was just parking there for ~5 minutes. look how close he parked to your bike! that would piss me off. Me personally, I would never park in a space with a bike in it like that, even if it was the only space available.

[Zephik]

Yea, now that I think about it, I think the best thing to do is to just keep posting notes whenever someone parks where your bike is. But make sure you are perfectly clear because the last thing you want to do is piss someone off with your bike being right there. lol

Personally, I'd rather have a free'd up spot than have a chance of getting "the good spot" or something. I think that's a pretty fair trade really. You get a spot guaranteed basically, but you've freed up a spot for others. Seems like a pretty fair trade. If someone doesn't like it, well, we live in a democracy so just go have a vote, pretty sure that person will lose. lol

[d_stilgar]

I'm on the fence about this. I personally would never park in a spot that had someone else's bike in it, and in that regard think of anyone who would do that somewhat of an entitled a-hole. On the flip side, I would be irritated if someone with a motorcycle monopolized the best spot by leaving their bike there, but in the end would just see it as gaming the system. I would also consider buying a motorcycle so I could game the system as well.

I see your problem as well with only having few spots where parking your bike and car is an option.

Another option might be one where you go to the managers and see if they will make a system where every apartment is allowed to have two cars, but only one reserved spot. I'm sure a system like that would relieve a lot of people's suffering.

We have reserved spots where I live and our neighbor's friends kept parking in our spot (which is a real a-hole move when there is parking on the street less than 30ft away). I just parked right behind them. The had to get their friend (whose spot is right next to ours) to move his car and then do a million point turn to get out of our spot. They haven't parked there since.

[SXRguyinMA]

I say when you take teh car, put the bike in like normal, that way people may jsut think you're home, and you're not being the self-entitled a-hole lol

I agree though, I'd never park in a spot with a bike in it, its just a-hole-ish

[x88x]

Well, by the time I got out this morning it was gone. I'm a little curious also because I don't remember seeing that car around anywhere. We'll see what happens tonight.

[Luke122]

I just need to understand this.. are these assigned spots? If so, I'd call (and have called) a tow truck to remove the offenders vehicle from my spot.

If his tint and stuff is illegal, a call to the police might be in order. Then they could call the tow truck.

[x88x]

No, there are no assigned/reserved spots, and honestly I would rather not petition to get spots assigned because then I might get stuck with having to use two spots.

For an idea of the parking situation, the half of the complex that I'm in is laid out like so:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/parking-1.jpg

The blue is apartments, the grey is parking. In the top block, there are 8 sections of apartments, in the bottom block there are 3. There are from 9 to 12 apartments per section (I think it's actually 11; I might go around and check tonight, just ooc). So, that makes about 121 (or somewhere between 99 to 132) apartments in total. Now keep in mind that each apartment is allocated parking for two vehicles. That's probably about 242 vehicles (198 min, 264 max). Compare that with the fact that there are a total of 140 parking spots.
...At best, that's 58 too few, probably more like 100 or so too few. ...actually before I sat down and figured it out, I never realized how bad it was before...how does this even work??

Then on the other side, there are 8 sections and only 112 parking spots. Plus 43 guest spots (read, overflow).

It really is amazing that parking here works as well as it does, come to think of it.

EDIT:
Concerning the tints and cover, I looked it up, and the tint is only illegal in MD if it blocks more than 65% of incoming light (http://www.berwynheightspd.com/tinted%20windows.htm) (I'm positive this did, but no way to quantitatively determine that). Plus, for each of the violations it's only, like, a $40 fine. Honestly I'd rather resolve it without involving any authorities...or at least try. I feel like calling the police on him for a generally unrelated thing would be just as petty and a-holish as what he did in the first place.

[Luke122]

Honestly I'd rather resolve it without involving any authorities...or at least try. I feel like calling the police on him for a generally unrelated thing would be just as petty and a-holish as what he did in the first place.

True, but with some people that's the only way to get through to them.

[Datech]

I would have had him towed immediately, no questions asked. Motorcycles are entitled that parking spot no matter how they park, just like the retards in subcompacts that park diagonally because they suck at parking. I have 0 tolerance for people who are inconsiderate toward motorcycles, and I have had multiple people towed for parking in designated motorcycle sections, and even had one a-hole stopped for using the HOV lane by himself (he was tailgating me down the HOV-only on ramp, so double pissed).

As far as the best spot argument, if a little old lady had the opportunity to park there, then didn't drive her car for a couple of weeks, she too would be monopolizing the best parking place. x88x is doing the parking lot a favor by double parking his vehicles like that, and no one else has the right to double park with his vehicles without his permission. If he went around beforehand telling everyone it was OK to do that, sure, parking like that would be perfectly fine. However, the fact that he was almost a full tire width into the fire lane tells me he was trying to capitalize on his parking position t ensure he didn't get hit on his driver side. Therefore, he probably parked like that with only his self in mind, and the simple thought of, "I've seen someone do this before."

[x88x]

Well, good news (ish). Nobody was parked behind my bike today when I got home. I got home fairly late (7), though not nearly as late as I did yesterday (~10), so hopefully this means whoever gave up when they didn't get a reaction the first time....or at least I'll try and convince myself of that till it happens again (fingers crossed). Hopefully it won't, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, I have absolutely no faith in the human race.

Btw, thanks for the encouragement everyone; it's good to know I wasn't overreacting.

[x88x]

Well, there was a good week, and now a bad week. Last Thursday I got back from class and everything was fine; now tonight I got back and there was a big van there... :evil:

I left a note (don't worry, I can be very polite when I want to be :P ), so I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow.

[Zephik]

Is it the Mystery Machine?? Because that would totally be okay then, but only if you get Scooby Doo's autograph. :p

[x88x]

...damn it...
Well, so much for expecting people to have some modicum of common sense...

Just got a note on my car today basically saying "screw you, I'll park where I want, other people are parking there too (not true, btw, except the one other guy that was the reason I started this thread), last time someone left their motorcycle in one spot for a long time, we had it towed and she left the complex, if you leave any more notes on my truck I'm gonna move your motorcycle myself"...

...and, back to my original thesis...sometimes I hate people...

EDIT:
also, apparently they don't understand the difference between "there" and "their" :rolleyes:

[NightrainSrt4]

If he/she touched my motorcycle ( if only I had one ) they would have flat tires in the morning.

What I would do is just park the motorcycle in a spot regularly. Then when you come home just take an available other spot. IF you come home one night and there isn't a spot, just pull up beside the spot, scootch the bike to the edge of the spot, then use that spot for the night. In the morning put it back to parking normal.

Just only use it as a last resort parking for your car. It may be a pain, but this way you can park there during the packed times and no one jacks with your stuff during the rest of the time.

I can see it being a big pain though if you do it every night, but once in a while should solve all the issues.

[Zephik]

Simple solution. Write a letter to all of your neighbors explaining everything and single that douchebag out. You at least know what he drives right? So just include that in the "this is why we can't have nice things" letter to everyone. or something like all that.

But for now, just take up two parking spots. When people ask or whenever you get the chance, tell them that you started taking up two spots because of some idiot and tell them basically who it was.

or you could have a community vote. Get a bunch of signatures saying that those people are okay with it, then slap that ****er onto his windshield.

You could just let it go I guess, but dammit I hate douchebags. I want revenge and it doesn't even have anything to do with me! lol

[Trace]

Saran wrap his car- Problem Solved.

But he should appreciate that you are saving spots for other people. If he's too stupid to understand that, then that's his problem. Alarm your motorcycle and keep doing it--when he goes to move your bike, the alarm goes off, you come out and call the cops on him.

My $.02

[Bopher]

last time someone left their motorcycle in one spot for a long time, we had it towed and she left the complex

I call BS!!! :D Most sane people would have freaked out about the bike being towed and if I 1)Pay rent in the complex and 2) have a parking permit no one can touch my car if its registered and insured. If I had a vehicle sitting for a while in a space and someone had it towed they'd be paying me back for all towing fees and storage fees. Normal people wouldn't have moved.

[x88x]

I've decided that I'm gonna take it up with the landlady, see what her take on it is. Not knowing the person (whoever it was), I don't wanna assume that they were making **** up, but we saw how well that worked out last time... And yeah; if someone towed my bike just because it was sitting in the parking lot...which I have every right to have it parked it...yeah; they would be getting a call from my lawyer..once I got one..

[mDust]

If he/she touched my motorcycle ( if only I had one ) they would have flat tires in the morning.Yep.
Warning#1: Just let the air out. Warning#2: 1 nail per tire in the tread. Warning#3: knife the sidewalls.
Usually people catch on before the 3rd warning...but some people are pretty dense. This may not be a good idea though since s/he knows which car and bike are yours. Save this idea for future situations. It does come in handy sometimes.:devious:
It got a guy to stop parking 6" from my drivers' side door. I left a couple of notes prior, which I found crumpled up on my hood...he just didn't understand it was a PITA to climb over my center console every day until I showed him how much of a PITA it was to get 4 tires patched without having a vehicle. And I did leave notes explaining what would happen if I found anything wrong with my car. ;)