Frustrated shoppers took matters into their own hands when an "idiot" driver parked across four spaces in a grocery store parking lot.
The incident was shared by Reddit user dmdearing who recounted this week how they encountered the offending car while looking for a parking space with their son.
What seemed like a promising pull-through spot was blocked by a vehicle that had taken up four spaces. With no choice but to back out and park elsewhere, they shook their head in irritation and went inside to do their shopping.
'What I had to do'
When they returned, they noticed that two other shoppers had already left their carts in front of and behind the large auto. Seeing the makeshift barricade, the OP decided to add their own contribution, placing their cart by the driver's side door.
"I've literally never once in my life left my cart in the parking lot, since I'm not an animal," they wrote, "But it only took a few seconds for me to know what I had to do."
The OP remained satisfied with their decision, adding that they hoped others continued the, "Pay it forward cart pile", after them.
Parking Lot Etiquette
The Reddit post sparked more than 500 comments, with many praising the move, such as the person who declared: "It takes a village to confront the idiot."
One of the supporters remarked, "I read the title and thought, 'Nooo, please don't be like that' [laugh out loud]. Way to go!
"THIS is the only acceptable reason to not put your cart away. I hope everyone followed suit, lol."
Other commentators suggested adding an extra element to the protest, with one writing, "A note saying, 'Sorry about the damage', is also a nice way to occupy their tiny mind."
Several critics imagined themselves in the OP's scenario, such as the person who said: "I would have sat in my car until he came out just to see his face."
According to a blog post by Avalon Motor Co., proper parking etiquette includes staying within marked spaces and being mindful of others.
When drivers take up multiple spaces, it not only reduces available spots, but can also lead to passive-aggressive responses like the one described in the Reddit post.
The debate over shopping cart etiquette is another long-standing issue in grocery store parking lots. While returning carts to designated areas is generally expected, some shoppers abandon them, creating obstacles for others.
A report from The Kitchn raises the importance of returning carts, stating, "Parking is a premium at Costco. Because valuable parking lot real estate has been set aside for a cart corral, go ahead and use it."
'Stay out of people's way'
A number of self-described truck drivers accepted the OP's direct action in the Reddit comment section.
"My truck is too long and generally does not fit into one spot without sticking out far enough to impede traffic, so I unfortunately take two spots," a driver admitted.
"You know what I do? Park all the way in the [expletive] back every time. Or on the highest/lowest level of a parking garage. Whatever it is I can do to stay out of people's way."
Newsweek has contacted dmdearing for comment via Reddit.
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