Parking: The Real Texas Challenge
Let’s face it—parking spaces have shrunk faster than a cheap pair of jeans in the wash. My first ex-husband, a commercial real estate guy, once gave me the lowdown on the science behind it. Apparently, there’s a mathematical formula that figures out just how small a parking spot can get while still squeezing in more customers. More parking spots? Great! But let’s be real, when the spaces are barely big enough for a clown car, we’ve got a problem. Half the time, people end up straddling the line like they’re auditioning for a tightrope act.
Now, cars have gone through some serious size changes over the years. Some have shrunk down to match those microscopic parking spots. But let’s talk Texas—home of the pickup truck and the supersized SUV. Sure, the official state car might not be the pickup, but it might as well be. Whatever happened to the minivan? Remember those? They’ve been practically bullied off the road by these behemoths. But hey, in Texas, you’ve got to be ready for anything, right? Like crossing a raging creek in Austin or hauling a herd of cattle across town. Never mind that most Texans will never do either. Better safe than sorry!
So, what happens when you try to park your monster truck in a strip mall parking lot? Let’s just say those lines on the pavement are more like polite suggestions. And if you’re attempting to squeeze into a parking garage, good luck. That truck bed is probably going to stick out like a sore thumb, daring anyone to try and drive around it.
The Million-Dollar Question: What’s the Solution?
People aren’t going to stop buying big cars. Some folks genuinely need them, and others just really like towering over the rest of us on the road. Real estate developers could take a page from the past and bring back those Cadillac-sized parking spaces. Wouldn’t that be nice?
In a perfect world, we’d eat our cake and have it too—ample parking and spaces big enough to fit the Titanic. Until then, let’s work with what we’ve got.
A Few Tips for Not Being That Driver
Stay Between the Lines: This isn’t a suggestion, it’s a plea. Please, for the love of chocolate-pecan pie, park within the lines. The rest of us don’t want to play “squeeze between the door dings” with your oversized chariot.
Don’t Be a Space Hog: If you’ve got a Ferrari or a Lambo and you’re feeling a little extra, resist the urge to take up two spots. We get it, your car is fancy. But you already know that, and so do we.
Consider the Overhang: If your truck bed is sticking out into the driving lane like an invitation to disaster, maybe reconsider where you park. That spot right by the entrance might not be worth the side-eye from every other driver.
Backing Into a Space: Yes, we appreciate your skills. We just don’t get the thinking. Backing in is supposed to make your life easier when it’s time to leave. Think: sporting events and concerts. But, if you spend ten minutes trying to get it right, you might as well have parked normally and saved everyone the time. Plus, how are you going to get your groceries in the trunk when the trunk is facing the wrong way? What are we missing?
