I couldn't parallel park if my life depended on it. The only thing that saved me when I lived in Chicago was a private parking lot at my apartment and then I walked or took public transportation everywhere else.
I just had to parallel park for the first time in a long time a few months ago. I live in an area with mostly angle parking, very little parallel. I did pretty good, got it first try. If there had been much traffic though, I would have driven another block to get to a different spot.
I used to be when we lived in a different part of the city but now we have a driveway and I lost my skills. My husband is the same way and he used to be a super great parker, even in NYC.
Post by janiejones on Nov 13, 2013 10:14:39 GMT -5
Yes. I'm a pro. I used to do it all the time in my Passat wagon, so the Versa was a snap. I haven't yet in my new car (also a wagon) but I'm sure after the first try it'll be gravy.
I can even do it on the other side of a one way street without batting an eye.
I can do it if I really have to, but I avoid it if at all possible. This is sad, but if DH is with me and I'm driving, he will turn the wheel to do it for me. Luckily I hardly ever have to do it.
I used to suck at it - I would think I was closer to the next car than I really was, so I would stop way too early, which made it hard to get into the space. Buying a car with a backup camera helped me realize that I actually have a lot more room than I thought. That realization has greatly improved my parking skills when I'm a car that doesn't have a backup camera.
Post by aprilsails on Nov 13, 2013 10:38:57 GMT -5
I am way better at parallel parking my SUV than I used to be when I had my compact car. It just works so much better for some reason, either the wheelbase or the visibility.
I never have anxiety around parking unless if DH is in the passenger seat. He always points out parking spots that are closer but tighter or a funny approach and then I get all flustered. He hasn't driven regularly in 7 years (takes public transit to work) and sucks at parking so I hate that he feels he needs to coach me every time. This is definitely a bad dynamic in our relationship.
Post by BieberMyBalls on Nov 13, 2013 10:50:48 GMT -5
In a small car, yes. Not well, but I can do it. In my van? Nope. I'll park somewhere else and walk before I'll parallel park. I'm pretty confident I would break shit if I tried.
I've gotten much better since we moved to the city. I still have a hard time because we have a mini van and at times it's hard to judge my distance. I I ha a compact I would be a pro.
Not at all. The only time I've done it was during Driver's Ed and there were cones, not actual cars. There aren't a lot of places with parallel parking where I live, but if I go someplace where there are, I'd be screwed.
I only got my license about a year ago so I'm still "new" to driving, but to be honest I'm really never going to get good at parallel parking because I avoid it at all costs. I'll just walk further.
I would do fine on a nice quiet street with no traffic to be seen but when do you even need to PP under those circumstances lol. As soon as I see another car coming I panic.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny
I don't even know how to theoretically do it. I've never tried. It isn't on my state's driving test anymore, drivers ed didn't teach me how to do it, and I never go to the one place in town that you have to park on the street, so it's not necessary.
I park on the street in neighborhoods all the time, but you aren't maneuvering around other cars, so it isn't the same thing.
Post by shostakovich on Nov 13, 2013 12:15:26 GMT -5
I learned to drive in small town, where non-parallel spots were always available. Since moving to a large city, though, I've practiced more out of necessity and gotten pretty good at it. I'm usually better at it when there aren't any passengers in the car or people nearby - people watching me do it gives anxiety.
My H's spatial reasoning is freakishly good, and he parallel parks like a champ. He's immensely proud of the time he parallel parked a 16 passenger van with a trailer attached. He'll be telling that story until he is 80.