10 ms·

Fancy Parking

43 points by VexorLoophole 3y ago

WantonQuantum 3y ago
I’ve heard this described as Batman parking because Batman always has his escape ready. The other way is Superman parking because Superman is all about getting there quickly.
bananatype 3y ago
[dead]
psd1 3y ago
You can optimise to leave slightly more space on the driver's side, and it also grants more space to your neighbour driver
taneq 3y ago
This is mandatory on most mine sites I’ve been on. After a while it becomes such a habit that parking nose-in feels really uncomfortable.
randunel 3y ago
Just park according to the intended use of the car. Are you shopping for furniture or other items which may require storing them in the boot during transit? Park headlights first. Is the parking space too tight? Park so that your driver's side is next to the neighbor's driver's side (tough luck if they're both facing opposite directions, but this is rare).
- ghaff 3y ago
  In a large parking lot, I usually try to pull through so I'm facing out if I can. But I'll back in if that's not an option and it's either a tight fit or I know I'll probably be leaving at the same time as a lot of other people, e.g. theater letting out.
- thsksbd 3y ago
  "Is the parking space too tight? Park so that your driver's side is next to the neighbor's driver's side " Finally! Another person who has this same rule! Another one: "If there is a column (ie you're in a parking garage) park as close to it as possible. The dead space behind the column gives you plenty of space to use the door and it frees up space on the other side"
qet 3y ago
Reverse parking. It's mandatory on most mining sites that I have visited in Australia, for safety reasons. The miners love to slam it into reverse and crunch their gearbox as they back into a space. Not good for when you are going shopping and need to access the boot, however.
- i2pi 3y ago
  As someone who has just moved back to Australia after ~20 years in the USA, I was surprised to notice how many people reverse park here. It seems to be an ego thing , particularly when I notice how many people do it at the supermarket, where it has to be super inconvenient.
  - thsksbd 3y ago
    Its not that inconvenient unless the spaces are very narrow. In the us the spaces are typically wide enough to allow s carry to squeeze through.
- arethuza 3y ago
  It's fairly common on industrial sites I've been to - particularly ones that you might want to leave in a hurry!
jonasdegendt 3y ago
I got a ticket once for backing into a parking spot in one of the various the parking garages in Santa Monica, blew my mind as a European. After some Googling there didn't seem to be any consensus as to why you're not allowed to. My hypotheses: The ability to check license plates on out of state cars where they're not required to have a front plate? Who knows.
- ghaff 3y ago
  I'm not sure I've ever in my life heard of that. Though there are a fair number of states that don't require front license plates. (That said I'm not sure how many of those states don't issue two plates when someone is getting new ones.)
  - jonasdegendt 3y ago
    I'm pretty sure plenty of enthusiasts wont put on a front license plate if they don't have to by law, the Firebird I was driving at the time even had decorative covers[0] available to fill the slot the license plate would sit in. Looked pretty neat. [0] https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/volo/1/19426/676178/1920x1440/2001-pontiac-firebird https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/volo/1/19426/676178/1920x14...
    - sokoloff 3y ago
      I’m in MA where almost everyone is required to run two plates by law. Even with the law, plenty of enthusiasts here don’t run a front plate except while getting the annual safety inspection done.
  - jackdh 3y ago
    It's certainly a thing. I remember one Youtube creator who created a car with two fronts specifically to prank the parking lot officers [0]. [0] https://youtu.be/VVyekHp7Vfs?t=68 https://youtu.be/VVyekHp7Vfs?t=68
  - devilbunny 3y ago
    I live in a rear-plate-only state. You get one and only one. If they only require one, why would they pay the expense for providing two? Especially as "two different cars driving around with the same license plate" is one of the things you have plates to prevent. If it were only about taxes, you'd have a prominent tax sticker and be done with it.
kypro 3y ago
Have you ever stubbled upon a website, and gazed in awe at how certain textual content isn't actually text at all? Maybe you didn't know that H*T*ML was called H*T*ML for a reason. Rather than simply creating a website in photoshop then splicing it into multiple images with zero regards for accessibility, SEO, performance, or usability, sane web developers take their time to convert textual content to text. It's a way of saying to the world, "I'm not going to rush things, I'm going to support users with accessibility needs and actually make this site indexable". It's all in a day's work for a web developer. [Learn more](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML)
- ayhanfuat 3y ago
  It's a website that was last updated 20 years ago...
- jdthedisciple 3y ago
  Not all websites need all of the SEO bs you mentioned. Least this one. It's legendary as it is.
- gaazoh 3y ago
  Text is so yesterday, just look at that fancy Flash photo gallery. The future is now, get used to it.
- motogpjimbo 3y ago
  > performance Ironically, this website loads significantly faster than most modern websites, even under HN-induced load. > I'm going to support users with accessibility needs I'm not sure visually-impaired individuals are the intended beneficiaries of this site...
  - avidphantasm 3y ago
    It’s not really ironic that it would load faster. Isn’t this the apotheosis of server-side rendering? Just memcpy the image to VRAM…
  - 3y ago
Tade0 3y ago
I like how I can still tell if the layout of the page was done using tables just by looking at it. Brings back memories of my junior years. Anyway, I didn't know my method of parking in narrow spaces is considered "fancy". The parking spots in front of my apartment are three slabs of concrete, with a total width of 10.5m (34.5ft). There's grass on both sides, so if everyone cooperates, you can fit five cars fully on the concrete - usually with one from somewhere in the middle parked in the "fancy" position so as to take advantage of the fact that two drivers share the same gap to enter. You need to roll out of there to seat a child though.
JR1427 3y ago
Reverse parking (as it is known in the UK) is one of a number of tasks than can be tested in a UK driving test. I reverse park 99pct of the time. I think it's safer to be able to see where you are going when getting out of a space, so you can more easily see other cars, children etc. I think it also makes more sense with the steering mechanics, and I find it easier than going in nose first.
- capableweb 3y ago
  Same here, I simply park reverse because it's easier to squeeze in and adjust, and I can see all the parts that gets close to the edge. That I have more visibility is just a bonus, but not the main reason.
- scott_w 3y ago
  The first time I ever "forward" parked was after I passed my test. In fact, the examiner guided me into the space before telling me I'd passed! I wonder how many others in the UK go through the same experience.
- yarekt 3y ago
  I've been told that in the army (UK) its illegal to park forwards. They had so many accidents that they banned it. But yea, definitely easier to squeeze into tighter spots going backwards, and not that much harder after you've done it a few times.
  - KineticLensman 3y ago
    > I've been told that in the army (UK) its illegal to park forwards. They had so many accidents that they banned it. I've parked in numerous UK army bases over the years (as a civilian) and have never been aware of this. There might be something specific for soldiers whose specific trade is driving but not in general car parks. Some younger soldiers join up without a license and pass a normal civilian driving test as part of their career progression (taught by civilian driving instructors IIRC).
  - thsksbd 3y ago
thezultimate 3y ago
Reverse parking is the suggested way to park a car by my employer in Norway for safety reasons. So yes, I reverse park every day at work to be compliant.
Dachande663 3y ago
This is mandatory in a lot of sites I've been too. Half for safety reasons, half so they can see who knows the rules and who doesn't belong.
eloisant 3y ago
I always park like this because it's much easier. Not just to get out, but to get in. Because your front wheels rotate, not the back wheels, it's much easier to get into proper position when parking backwards especially when you're between 2 other cars and the space is small.
- thsksbd 3y ago
  Its incredible how few people appreciate this, or how hard it is to explain to people. The rear wheels pivot!! This is also why the quality of the rear tires is far more important - the fulcrum, or pivot, sees the most stress!
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
  - duckqlz 3y ago
    Op was talking about the front wheels pivoting. Rear wheels do not pivot. Furthermore, the quality is sometimes better on rear tires in a rear wheel drive car if the owner is trying to be frugal and save money when changing their tires. Similarly with front wheel drive drive train, owners will often opt to replace only their front tires as they will wear quicker. This is all due to the traction needed to start the car moving. Now, back to the crux of the question, why fancy park? Reversing and turning creates a wider turn radius, reduced control and greatly increases the size of the cars “blind spot”. A driver can opt to have their driving ability impacted while they safely enter an empty spot by reversing in or deal with the hustle and bustle of reversing into a busy parking lot. Despite the efficiency and obvious gains from “fancy parking” some people have parked forward their entire life and have honed their spacial sense around a certain car or truck making the switch impractical, at least until the purchase of their next vehicle!
    - fragmede 3y ago
      Totally besides the point, but the real wheels on some cars actually do pivot! :) On top of the Honda Prelude, there's also the Porsche 911 GT3, the BMW 7 Series, Audi Q7, Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33, R34 had HICAS), Renault Laguna (only in some European markets), Acura RLX (P-AWS), Lexus GS and LS, Infiniti Q50 and Q60, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, and then to round out the list, the Lamborghini Aventador and the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. All of those feature rear wheels that pivot.
emptyfile 3y ago
Huh? I honestly thought this was the normal way to park. I guess parking spaces are big enough in america that you don't need it.
- kholdstayr 3y ago
  Yeah it's not very common in the US.
- devilbunny 3y ago
  We also have a lot of diagonal parking. Probably not a majority, but very common in areas where you want one-way traffic flow like fast food. Those are almost impossible to back into, since you have to turn the car against the flow of traffic to get into it, and then reverse the process when you want to get out of the spot.
huhtenberg 3y ago
It's all neat and supreme until you are coming out of a grocery store with 9 bags and an XXXL pack of toilet paper and realize that your fancy-parked trunk is way over there, in the bushes.
- kqr 3y ago
  My father mainly parks with the front out and so when I started driving I did the same. Then I got together with my wife and we had children and she has to remind me of this grocery problem constantly.
- medwards666 3y ago
  You still go to the store for your groceries? How quaint.
  - ghaff 3y ago
    I'm going to go out on a limb and bet the vast majority of people do. For the typical person going to a supermarket with a car where they can see what is available and looks good just isn't a big task--especially because you usually have other errands to run in a given week.
jsomedon 3y ago
Isn't this how everybody parks usually?
shrx 3y ago
In my country it's mandatory to park backwards in driving school.
jhoechtl 3y ago
Was assigned as ofroad driver during my military service. There I learned that what is called fancy parking should be the rule. When you have to leave (maybe in a hurry) you are set to go. Since back then that has become my standard way of parking. It's also easier to park "back first" in constrained parking situations.
- ghaff 3y ago
  >It's also easier to park "back first" in constrained parking situations. Not that I park in garages much but every once in a great while, I find myself in a situation when I just pull in forward where I'm not literally parked in but do have to inch the car out with very little clearance and a whole lot of back and forth turning.

43 points by VexorLoophole 3y ago

I’ve heard this described as Batman parking because Batman always has his escape ready. The other way is Superman parking because Superman is all about getting there quickly.

bananatype 3y ago

[dead]

psd1 3y ago

You can optimise to leave slightly more space on the driver's side, and it also grants more space to your neighbour driver

taneq 3y ago

This is mandatory on most mine sites I’ve been on. After a while it becomes such a habit that parking nose-in feels really uncomfortable.

randunel 3y ago

Just park according to the intended use of the car. Are you shopping for furniture or other items which may require storing them in the boot during transit? Park headlights first. Is the parking space too tight? Park so that your driver's side is next to the neighbor's driver's side (tough luck if they're both facing opposite directions, but this is rare).

ghaff 3y ago
In a large parking lot, I usually try to pull through so I'm facing out if I can. But I'll back in if that's not an option and it's either a tight fit or I know I'll probably be leaving at the same time as a lot of other people, e.g. theater letting out.
thsksbd 3y ago
"Is the parking space too tight? Park so that your driver's side is next to the neighbor's driver's side " Finally! Another person who has this same rule! Another one: "If there is a column (ie you're in a parking garage) park as close to it as possible. The dead space behind the column gives you plenty of space to use the door and it frees up space on the other side"

qet 3y ago

Reverse parking. It's mandatory on most mining sites that I have visited in Australia, for safety reasons. The miners love to slam it into reverse and crunch their gearbox as they back into a space. Not good for when you are going shopping and need to access the boot, however.

i2pi 3y ago
As someone who has just moved back to Australia after ~20 years in the USA, I was surprised to notice how many people reverse park here. It seems to be an ego thing , particularly when I notice how many people do it at the supermarket, where it has to be super inconvenient.
- thsksbd 3y ago
  Its not that inconvenient unless the spaces are very narrow. In the us the spaces are typically wide enough to allow s carry to squeeze through.
arethuza 3y ago
It's fairly common on industrial sites I've been to - particularly ones that you might want to leave in a hurry!

jonasdegendt 3y ago

I got a ticket once for backing into a parking spot in one of the various the parking garages in Santa Monica, blew my mind as a European. After some Googling there didn't seem to be any consensus as to why you're not allowed to. My hypotheses: The ability to check license plates on out of state cars where they're not required to have a front plate? Who knows.

ghaff 3y ago
I'm not sure I've ever in my life heard of that. Though there are a fair number of states that don't require front license plates. (That said I'm not sure how many of those states don't issue two plates when someone is getting new ones.)
- jonasdegendt 3y ago
  I'm pretty sure plenty of enthusiasts wont put on a front license plate if they don't have to by law, the Firebird I was driving at the time even had decorative covers[0] available to fill the slot the license plate would sit in. Looked pretty neat. [0] https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/volo/1/19426/676178/1920x1440/2001-pontiac-firebird https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/volo/1/19426/676178/1920x14...
  - sokoloff 3y ago
    I’m in MA where almost everyone is required to run two plates by law. Even with the law, plenty of enthusiasts here don’t run a front plate except while getting the annual safety inspection done.
- jackdh 3y ago
  It's certainly a thing. I remember one Youtube creator who created a car with two fronts specifically to prank the parking lot officers [0]. [0] https://youtu.be/VVyekHp7Vfs?t=68 https://youtu.be/VVyekHp7Vfs?t=68
- devilbunny 3y ago
  I live in a rear-plate-only state. You get one and only one. If they only require one, why would they pay the expense for providing two? Especially as "two different cars driving around with the same license plate" is one of the things you have plates to prevent. If it were only about taxes, you'd have a prominent tax sticker and be done with it.

kypro 3y ago

Have you ever stubbled upon a website, and gazed in awe at how certain textual content isn't actually text at all? Maybe you didn't know that H*T*ML was called H*T*ML for a reason. Rather than simply creating a website in photoshop then splicing it into multiple images with zero regards for accessibility, SEO, performance, or usability, sane web developers take their time to convert textual content to text. It's a way of saying to the world, "I'm not going to rush things, I'm going to support users with accessibility needs and actually make this site indexable". It's all in a day's work for a web developer. [Learn more](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML)

ayhanfuat 3y ago
It's a website that was last updated 20 years ago...
jdthedisciple 3y ago
Not all websites need all of the SEO bs you mentioned. Least this one. It's legendary as it is.
gaazoh 3y ago
Text is so yesterday, just look at that fancy Flash photo gallery. The future is now, get used to it.
motogpjimbo 3y ago
> performance Ironically, this website loads significantly faster than most modern websites, even under HN-induced load. > I'm going to support users with accessibility needs I'm not sure visually-impaired individuals are the intended beneficiaries of this site...
- avidphantasm 3y ago
  It’s not really ironic that it would load faster. Isn’t this the apotheosis of server-side rendering? Just memcpy the image to VRAM…
- 3y ago

Tade0 3y ago

I like how I can still tell if the layout of the page was done using tables just by looking at it. Brings back memories of my junior years. Anyway, I didn't know my method of parking in narrow spaces is considered "fancy". The parking spots in front of my apartment are three slabs of concrete, with a total width of 10.5m (34.5ft). There's grass on both sides, so if everyone cooperates, you can fit five cars fully on the concrete - usually with one from somewhere in the middle parked in the "fancy" position so as to take advantage of the fact that two drivers share the same gap to enter. You need to roll out of there to seat a child though.

JR1427 3y ago

Reverse parking (as it is known in the UK) is one of a number of tasks than can be tested in a UK driving test. I reverse park 99pct of the time. I think it's safer to be able to see where you are going when getting out of a space, so you can more easily see other cars, children etc. I think it also makes more sense with the steering mechanics, and I find it easier than going in nose first.

capableweb 3y ago
Same here, I simply park reverse because it's easier to squeeze in and adjust, and I can see all the parts that gets close to the edge. That I have more visibility is just a bonus, but not the main reason.
scott_w 3y ago
The first time I ever "forward" parked was after I passed my test. In fact, the examiner guided me into the space before telling me I'd passed! I wonder how many others in the UK go through the same experience.
yarekt 3y ago
I've been told that in the army (UK) its illegal to park forwards. They had so many accidents that they banned it. But yea, definitely easier to squeeze into tighter spots going backwards, and not that much harder after you've done it a few times.
- KineticLensman 3y ago
  > I've been told that in the army (UK) its illegal to park forwards. They had so many accidents that they banned it. I've parked in numerous UK army bases over the years (as a civilian) and have never been aware of this. There might be something specific for soldiers whose specific trade is driving but not in general car parks. Some younger soldiers join up without a license and pass a normal civilian driving test as part of their career progression (taught by civilian driving instructors IIRC).
- thsksbd 3y ago

thezultimate 3y ago

Reverse parking is the suggested way to park a car by my employer in Norway for safety reasons. So yes, I reverse park every day at work to be compliant.

Dachande663 3y ago

This is mandatory in a lot of sites I've been too. Half for safety reasons, half so they can see who knows the rules and who doesn't belong.

eloisant 3y ago

I always park like this because it's much easier. Not just to get out, but to get in. Because your front wheels rotate, not the back wheels, it's much easier to get into proper position when parking backwards especially when you're between 2 other cars and the space is small.

thsksbd 3y ago
Its incredible how few people appreciate this, or how hard it is to explain to people. The rear wheels pivot!! This is also why the quality of the rear tires is far more important - the fulcrum, or pivot, sees the most stress!
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- duckqlz 3y ago
  Op was talking about the front wheels pivoting. Rear wheels do not pivot. Furthermore, the quality is sometimes better on rear tires in a rear wheel drive car if the owner is trying to be frugal and save money when changing their tires. Similarly with front wheel drive drive train, owners will often opt to replace only their front tires as they will wear quicker. This is all due to the traction needed to start the car moving. Now, back to the crux of the question, why fancy park? Reversing and turning creates a wider turn radius, reduced control and greatly increases the size of the cars “blind spot”. A driver can opt to have their driving ability impacted while they safely enter an empty spot by reversing in or deal with the hustle and bustle of reversing into a busy parking lot. Despite the efficiency and obvious gains from “fancy parking” some people have parked forward their entire life and have honed their spacial sense around a certain car or truck making the switch impractical, at least until the purchase of their next vehicle!
  - fragmede 3y ago
    Totally besides the point, but the real wheels on some cars actually do pivot! :) On top of the Honda Prelude, there's also the Porsche 911 GT3, the BMW 7 Series, Audi Q7, Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33, R34 had HICAS), Renault Laguna (only in some European markets), Acura RLX (P-AWS), Lexus GS and LS, Infiniti Q50 and Q60, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, and then to round out the list, the Lamborghini Aventador and the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. All of those feature rear wheels that pivot.

emptyfile 3y ago

Huh? I honestly thought this was the normal way to park. I guess parking spaces are big enough in america that you don't need it.

kholdstayr 3y ago
Yeah it's not very common in the US.
devilbunny 3y ago
We also have a lot of diagonal parking. Probably not a majority, but very common in areas where you want one-way traffic flow like fast food. Those are almost impossible to back into, since you have to turn the car against the flow of traffic to get into it, and then reverse the process when you want to get out of the spot.

huhtenberg 3y ago

It's all neat and supreme until you are coming out of a grocery store with 9 bags and an XXXL pack of toilet paper and realize that your fancy-parked trunk is way over there, in the bushes.

kqr 3y ago
My father mainly parks with the front out and so when I started driving I did the same. Then I got together with my wife and we had children and she has to remind me of this grocery problem constantly.
medwards666 3y ago
You still go to the store for your groceries? How quaint.
- ghaff 3y ago
  I'm going to go out on a limb and bet the vast majority of people do. For the typical person going to a supermarket with a car where they can see what is available and looks good just isn't a big task--especially because you usually have other errands to run in a given week.

jsomedon 3y ago

Isn't this how everybody parks usually?

shrx 3y ago

In my country it's mandatory to park backwards in driving school.

jhoechtl 3y ago

Was assigned as ofroad driver during my military service. There I learned that what is called fancy parking should be the rule. When you have to leave (maybe in a hurry) you are set to go. Since back then that has become my standard way of parking. It's also easier to park "back first" in constrained parking situations.

ghaff 3y ago
>It's also easier to park "back first" in constrained parking situations. Not that I park in garages much but every once in a great while, I find myself in a situation when I just pull in forward where I'm not literally parked in but do have to inch the car out with very little clearance and a whole lot of back and forth turning.