[Drivingforfun]

I often an in cars with people and they'll re-park because they're not straight or whatever

I do the same, but as long as I'm in my bay and not blocking anyone from opening their doors, I often wonder what the point is? I think perhaps there's an element of doing it to comply - I do it because others do it

Is it just the British who take pride in how they've parked their car, or do other nationalities do it as well?

I imagine in the US, at least outside of cities where's there's plenty of room, it's not an issue, but I may be wrong!

[Mark07]

For me personally, there's an element of etiquette/manners with a little self-interest mixed in there too - if I park within my bay, I imagine it reduces the likelihood of a prang or scrape.

Though, I do take exception to drivers (usually of expensive cars) who intentionally park in two bays.

[Drivingforfun]

That makes sense to me Mark, but I'm talking about people who are parked fine i.e. legally, in a bay, in no-one's way - the only thing wrong is they're wonky

Maybe it's less of an issue with most cars, as due to their size most cars being straight is pretty much a necessary condition of being in your bay ... my little car can be quite wonky while still remaining within the lines!!

[Drivingforfun]

Off-topic but being pedantic I think the black car in your photo is the worst one. The BMW driver in my opinion came along and saw he'd have his car damaged if he parked in the lefthand bay, and due to the motorhome there wasn't really 2 usable spaces there. I think he's decided to make it obvious there's only room for 1 car, rather than go a bit over and let someone try and squeeze in

Just me being the Devil's advocate!

[Mark07]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

Off-topic but being pedantic I think the black car in your photo is the worst one. The BMW driver in my opinion came along and saw he'd have his car damaged if he parked in the lefthand bay, and due to the motorhome there wasn't really 2 usable spaces there. I think he's decided to make it obvious there's only room for 1 car, rather than go a bit over and let someone try and squeeze in

Just me being the Devil's advocate!

In that example, you may be right. The broader idea of straddling two bays does grind my gears though.

[Rolebama]

With the increase in larger cars on the road, there was investigation into making bays bigger. Went the way of the Dodo.
What aggravates me is the size of bays in supermarket car parks. I park as far from the doors as possible, because I am fed up with struggling to get in or out of my car without damaging other's cars with my doors.

[olduser]

We British males are very uptight, I did not realise how bad it is until I lived in Southern Ireland.
I agree, when I lived there everything was rural apart from Dublin and Cork but cars parked where they stopped, wonky or not.
In Clonmel, our nearest shopping town, it was not uncommon to see a car left on the road, just where the driver had seen a friend, while the driver got out and talked to the friend.
But there a car was just a means of transport, after a bump, if the car would run then it stayed like that, and was sold with the dent.
The Garda (Police) would only intervene if there were bits hanging off or sharp edges, and of course lights had to work.
One of the factory employees was booked for driving without lights, he told the Magistrate he usually walked to work but that night (night shift) he had taken the car because he was late, and the moon was up, otherwise he only drove the car in daylight.
He had to promise not to do it again or get the lights fixed!

As to parking the photo, I have done that for the reasons mentioned.

When I lived in Kings Lynn, (Norfolk) A supermarket repainted it's bays in the carpark, all far too narrow, after complaints, they repaint a couple of rows, with a crosshatched area between each bay and marked them for disabled drivers.
Everyone started to use those because it was possible to park and open the door (even a two door car) without having to worry about the next car.
The unwritten rule was the bay nearest the store door was left for the disabled.

[NMNeil]

We used to go sea fishing in Folkstone at the weekends and trying to park was an absolute nightmare because of the number of people who would launch their boats into the sea then block at least 3 bays with their car and now empty boat trailer.
Same problem here in places.