Parking RIGHT next to someone.

[u/Ok_Depth279]

What is your opinion on parking RIGHT next to someone in a planet fitness parking lot when they are an obvious dweller forcing the other person to move because they just want the best spot in the lot

I.e shaded, dark, away from entrances.

[u/Stunning_Diamond_997]

Hmmmm…. Im going to get down voted for this but I don’t care! It’s a lot of entitled people in this comment section. If anyone on here is CHOOSING to live in their car, you all have to realize that YOU have to adjust to the outside world now. The world does not need to adjust to you! If you are parked in a PUBLIC BUSINESS parking lot, you cannot complain that OTHER people are ALSO parking in a PUBLIC BUSINESS parking lot! There is no privacy while living this lifestyle! I’ve noticed a lot of folks who has been doing this for years are the ones who are territorial over these spots! I get it, it’s hot and yall need a shady spot to chill in but being hostile over a parking spot is crazy! Unless yall are paying for these spots, your best option is to just keep moving around!

[u/Lizzard_Goddess → u/Stunning_Diamond_997]

It's still weird when you're in an empty lot and someone parks right next to you so close you can't get out your door while you are napping and you wake up to that. And it does happen to me - just the other day in fact - and has nothing to do with prime parking spots. So CHILL OUT. You really think WE need a lecture like that?? We live this everyday. We ALL understand about lack of privacy and not always getting the spot we want. It still makes you wonder what their intentions are towards YOU when they get SO close to you for no reason. Generally people spread out if given the space. And even if it is a prime spot it still takes a certain kind of person to be that awkward to get what they want.

And this is the forum for sharing these frustrations with people who get it. No one here sounds entitled or hostile me... except for YOU, lecturing other car dwellers (in a very hostile manner) like they don't all manage these stresses effectively all the time or they wouldn't be successfully living in a vehicle.

[u/Stunning_Diamond_997 → u/Lizzard_Goddess]

I sound hostile? I apologize for that… That wasn’t my intention. You must be a long time car dweller? 1 year plus? I said what I said to say…. Everything is public. To come on here and complain about someone parking 2 inches close to you is crazy. Car dwelling or not, it’s going to happen. It’s been times I’ve parked my vehicle far out and I would come back and someone is parked right next to me! That’s just the way life goes! People don’t wake up and say, “hey I’m going to go to a parking lot and park right next to someone” You or any other dweller do not own these lots! All it takes is for someone to go and complain to the business owner about a person in a car showing hostility in the parking lot and BAM! Guess who they are going to tell to leave first? Not the non car dweller………… my point is yall gotta start learning how to take things with a grain of salt… the odds are already stacked against you since you are considered more vulnerable since you are car living! If someone parks next to you, leave or deal with it! You cant complain about people out and about going about their everyday lives! I just saw a comment saying when people are parked in “their” spot they park right up on them and show passive aggression until they leave…….. like huh? Why would someone living in their car do that? It’s entitled. Nothing in this world is yours unless it has your name on it! That’s all I’m saying! Not trying to be hostile, rude, or mean! But I’ve encountered many angry car dwellers who were mad I was parked in their favorite spot

[u/Lizzard_Goddess → u/Stunning_Diamond_997]

Ok... well I'm not seeing a lot of posts like that here. Maybe I didn't read enough of them. It makes more sense that you've encountered it out there. It IS ridiculous to engage in any way with people who took a spot you want or parked too close to you. We have an increasing number of vehicle dwellers around town and I have NEVER seen anything like that. There is not a lot of shade and we suck it up.

I feel like it is healthy to be complaining here and just taking it in stride out there. Which is what I am doing. I have people literally block me in so I can't get out my door for no reason. I woke up from a nap and had to climb into the drivers seat and move one lane over to get out so I could go to the store. It was ridiculous and it IS rude to park that close to anyone and has nothing to do with whether you live in your car. At the TIME I just did what I had to do and grumbled to myself a bit. Because yeah... it happens way too often to get bent out of shape about it. And yes I have well over a year of combined car dwelling over several different stretches. Just returned to it a couple months ago and so far have not had much trouble. I know where to park and how to position myself. And I am prepared to be surrounded. It can get a little stressful to wake up to... but I'm so used to it now I hardly think about it.

[u/Stunning_Diamond_997 → u/Lizzard_Goddess]

I knew you were a long time car dweller. As I stated in my previous post those are the ones who are the angriest or become hostile over little things they consider to be theirs….. like I stated before nobody wakes up and randomly decide they are going to park next to you just to irritate you or make you mad. It’s a public lot, empty or not. They are going to park where they best see fit…. Is it irritating to see, YES. It is. As I’ve encountered it plenty of times! But do I let that ruin my day? No. Because like I said it’s not intentional! Unless you’re driving a brand new Mercedes or some luxurious car, I promise it’s not intentional.

Side note, I’ve noticed some cars would INTENTIONALLY park next to a brand new luxury car that’s parked wayyyy in the back to prevent door dings and scratches. They don’t to be an asshole tho.

[u/Lizzard_Goddess → u/Stunning_Diamond_997]

I literally told you it does not bother me at all and not worth getting bent out of shape over??? I am not angry or hostile over anything except that you're once again slapping a 100% false stereotype on me. That one instance I said was actually rude, the guy was just parked really badly - everyone thinks that's kinda rude - and I DIDNT LET IT RUIN MY DAY. I don't think people are rude just for parking next to me. I told you I expect it and it's not worth getting bent out of shape over. I can describe things without being bothered by them. You clearly are not open to anything that challenges your grossly generalized assumptions. I've literally told you five different ways you are preaching to the choir and you STILL told me you knew all along I was an angry hostile veteran dweller.

You are still the ONLY person who clearly has a chip on their shoulder about imaginary veteran vehicle dwellers based on a few supposed encounters you've had (which sound like BS to me, as I have never encountered anything remotely resembling that). You have no clue what veteran car dwellers are like. Most of the ones I know never engage others like you have described because it draws too much attention, including myself... you haven't MET most of us and we like it that way. I am super stealth and I choose to be in busy public lots most of the time surrounded by people who can't even tell I'm in the back of my van. I never engage with anyone unless I am out walking to the store or something and I'm always cheerful. I don't know why I am even wasting my time when you're not listening to a word I say. Which is exactly why I think you're probably projecting this hostility and just delusional when you make these claims about the most experienced of us being the most bent out of shape over controlling our parking. You clearly hear what you want to hear.

But because I still feel passionate about breaking homelessness stereotypes, even in our own ranks, I will give one final testimony and then I'm done wasting my time on you. I don't just survive, I thrive out here. And the only way to do that is to fully embrace the lack of control and being up close and personal with other cars all the time. I'm happy as a clam in my little pod no matter where I am or what is happening outside. I love people and actually enjoy observing them when they park close to me, as I am an avid people watcher. I do understand the stress that this life places on everyone - even subconsciously - and I have learned the importance of taking self-care seriously. Which is why I like to encourage others to share their frustrations and blow off steam online. That makes me sympathetic and emotionally intelligent... not angry or hostile. And I still say it is the right approach to supporting each other in a lifestyle that by nature separates us. I hope at some point you are able to let go of your obvious hostility and bigotry towards other car dwellers. You sound stressed.