Female only : parking spots

[tenni]

"The special-interest police have sunk their mitts into a debate about parking in Fredericton, N.B., Canada, after some city councillors considered creating female-only spots.

Female-only parking spots.

According to the Toronto Star, Coun. Stephen Chase saw such spots on a recent trip to Germany and thought it would be worth considering.

That trip may have been to Triberg, where town mayor Gallus Strobel raised all sorts of ire after creating gender-specific parking spots based on how easy they were to negotiate.

From Germany's "The Local"
Unlike the 12 spaces set aside for women, which are wider, well-lit, and closer to the exit, the men's spaces require the driver to pull in at an angle, and avoid hitting cement pillars. They are an "attraction" for any ambitious driver, Strobel told the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung.
"But men are, as a rule, a little better at such challenges," he told the paper.


Males everywhere are surely offended to be classified as better parkers. Angled parking stalls are awkward and frustrating, and the responsibility of dealing with them fills most with anxiety.

German debate aside, Fredericton's parking conundrum focuses on the female-friendly spots and ensuring women have somewhere safe and well-lit to park at night.

According to the Star, Fredericton had 87 sexual assaults last year — a significant statistical jump from previous years.

So, we are not talking about bigger spots, or spots with wider berths. Just spots chosen with safety in mind.
I see what they're driving at."


Would you support "female only" parking spots?

Is this discrimination or wisdom?

Is there a better solution rather than giving preference to one gender over another?

[darkeyes]

Yes, yes and yes, bad peeps stop being bad peeps... easy peasy...

[Annika L]

Personally, I find the whole concept rather condescending, and mildly offensive. The spots for pregnant women I get completely. But wide spots for women...because presumably we can't drive as well, or require better locations, so we needn't hurt our widdle feetsies walking so far? (I mean, ok, in certain shoes I can see it, but sheesh :rolleyes:.)

For our safety? (better lighting, etc.) Well, maybe...but why do we require more safety than men? Some of us (though not including myself here) are much more capable of defending ourselves than are some men. Why not simply spots designated for those who feel vulnerable and/or less able to park well? ...rather than assuming that those people must be women?

Consdescending and offensive assumptions and attitudes.

[Realist]

Oh! I've got to send this to my ex-brother in law.

He is the most insensitive, condescending, fellow I know......... hates it that handicapped folks get the best parking places.

One of his favorite sayings was, "If the sons-of-bitches can't walk a few feet, they shouldn't be driving!"

This will surely set him off! Can't wait to hear his reply..........

[darkeyes]

Nipped down to offie 2nite cos we had no Courvoisier in house...wich wos shocking:yikes2:!!!! Parked up in only space near offie.... under a lamp post which was out.. pitch it wos.... nipped into offie got me cognac and couple of bottles of Gin... walked back to car pressed me key to unlock car... nowt!!!! Thpught wtf??? Pressed key again... nowt.. tried key old fashioned way after bit of fumbling..wos getting dead tetchy by this time.. suddenly lights flash lock beeps Fran just bout poops 'ersel:yikes2:... woman shouts demanding 2 kno wot Im doing faffing wiv 'er car.... stands back... yep... same make.. same car... just not mine:eek2:.. mine is parked in front.... jeez... after profuse apology.. press key.. Fran's car lites up and makes luffly beepy noise.... much relief. So Tenni... notha thing they could do in car parks... make sure the bloody lamps work!!!

..and Annika, if creating female only spaces is for reasons other than safety then I would agree it is condescending and quite offensive... we create spaces for the disabled and for mothers and young children for different reasons at various places.. while I agree many women are able to look out for themselves, even many of them have found themselves in real difficulties in dark car parks when parking in isolated and quiet areas...men have too but much less so however wimpy or otherwise they happen to be... it isn't something I feel strongly 'bout or would go to the wall over but I do see it has some value... regarding those who have difficulty with their parking skills, in many instances in multi stories especially, but also supermarket parks, especially those with relatively few spaces, and even on some streets, spaces are so bloody small and tight it is often difficult for a good parker of cars to drive in and out with ease.. this I find is especially true in the UK where we are really pushed for space and they try to put too many spaces into a car park... in many, spaces are so small it is a squeeze even getting out of the car since it is impossible to open doors fully without bashing the car next to us, and I am not talking of big cars either... sometimes.. often.. a modest family car... I am lucky being slight... me mum is much less so and me brother is a big lad... as are most men and women drivers compared to me....

However.. if u want to see how to park in a small space.. go to Paris and watch the on street parking... where drivers just thump and bump the cars in front and back until they manage to get their Jag (for example) into a space most of us wouldn't try and park a mini... and end up with 'bout 20cms front and rear if they are lucky between the cars they have thumped and bumped... and of course they still have to get out of the space again... it's fun to watch over coffee or plonk in the sun outside a Parisian cafe... and it wouldn't be the first time I have been part of a standing ovation for a particularly miraculous bit of parking...:bigrin:

[Realist]

Well, Fran, you should get rid of that big ol' Bentley and get yourself something you can park!

Also, what kind of office is it, where you keep a stash of booze?

Seriously, so many cars look alike these days, it's amazing that more people don't lose them in the parking lots.

[darkeyes]

Well, Fran, you should get rid of that big ol' Bentley and get yourself something you can park!

Also, what kind of office is it, where you keep a stash of booze?

Seriously, so many cars look alike these days, it's amazing that more people don't lose them in the parking lots.
I'm not zactly skint Realist, but a Bentley?? *laffs* No hun... a lil ostentatious for me and a lil borin' an all... comfy tho... have a had a ride in 1... gett wudnt gimme a shot at drivin' tho.... no drive... no nookie... so he did without...:bigrin:;).

..and didn't say a word about office babes.. Offie...aka Off Licence... Brits will know wot I mean.. a place (store) for buying booze.... he had gud deal on the Courvoisier... he always does for lil ole me...:bigrin: Gud deal on the Gin an all.. if u like Gin...:)...

[chook]

Nipped down to offie 2nite cos we had no Courvoisier in house...wich wos shocking:yikes2:!!!! Parked up in only space near offie.... under a lamp post which was out.. pitch it wos.... nipped into offie got me cognac and couple of bottles of Gin... walked back to car pressed me key to unlock car... nowt!!!! Thpught wtf??? Pressed key again... nowt.. tried key old fashioned way after bit of fumbling..wos getting dead tetchy by this time.. suddenly lights flash lock beeps Fran just bout poops 'ersel:yikes2:... woman shouts demanding 2 kno wot Im doing faffing wiv 'er car.... stands back... yep... same make.. same car... just not mine:eek2:.. mine is parked in front.... jeez... after profuse apology.. press key.. Fran's car lites up and makes luffly beepy noise.... much relief. So Tenni... notha thing they could do in car parks... make sure the bloody lamps work!!!

..and Annika, if creating female only spaces is for reasons other than safety then I would agree it is condescending and quite offensive... we create spaces for the disabled and for mothers and young children for different reasons at various places.. while I agree many women are able to look out for themselves, even many of them have found themselves in real difficulties in dark car parks when parking in isolated and quiet areas...men have too but much less so however wimpy or otherwise they happen to be... it isn't something I feel strongly 'bout or would go to the wall over but I do see it has some value... regarding those who have difficulty with their parking skills, in many instances in multi stories especially, but also supermarket parks, especially those with relatively few spaces, and even on some streets, spaces are so bloody small and tight it is often difficult for a good parker of cars to drive in and out with ease.. this I find is especially true in the UK where we are really pushed for space and they try to put too many spaces into a car park... in many, spaces are so small it is a squeeze even getting out of the car since it is impossible to open doors fully without bashing the car next to us, and I am not talking of big cars either... sometimes.. often.. a modest family car... I am lucky being slight... me mum is much less so and me brother is a big lad... as are most men and women drivers compared to me....

However.. if u want to see how to park in a small space.. go to Paris and watch the on street parking... where drivers just thump and bump the cars in front and back until they manage to get their Jag (for example) into a space most of us wouldn't try and park a mini... and end up with 'bout 20cms front and rear if they are lucky between the cars they have thumped and bumped... and of course they still have to get out of the space again... it's fun to watch over coffee or plonk in the sun outside a Parisian cafe... and it wouldn't be the first time I have been part of a standing ovation for a particularly miraculous bit of parking...:bigrin:

what happened Fran..........was yer broom in the shop :impleased

[Gearbox]

Oh dear! I wonder if Canada will just come out and say it?:rolleyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qdhbkTko4

[k1200s]

I live here in Germany and many of the women that are not alone and have confidence in there copilots don't park in the Fruenplatz. Instead they women drive to the nearest place that is closest to the exit, just like must of us all. As for the size of the space, it's bigger here in Germany because the average parking spot is smaller than the average american parking spot. So, a BMW 5 series has only 2-3 inches if parked perfectly dead center. So a 3 Series has about 3-4 inches. Imagine a women with kids that need to get to the toilet for a pee and having to reach inside the (normally three-door) car which is smaller already than the 3 Series. If the person next to you doesn't won't his/her car dinged, it's best to give (her / grandma or great grandma typically) a place of safety (which isn't a question with better lighting in a parkhaus and closer to security officer).
Give the parking places a chance and remember Germans don't have these women parking spots everywhere, only in large parking garages that are above or underground.. The special parking places aren't available on the streets.. Maybe you'll find them on a street-level large mall parking lot..

[darkeyes]

what happened Fran..........was yer broom in the shop :impleased
Nope chookie... some bugger nicked it on halloween.... waiting for Witches Union to deliver me new 1...;)

[Annika L]

Nope chookie... some bugger nicked it on halloween.... waiting for Witches Union to deliver me new 1...;)

Fran, we do NOT deliver. You make your own, or do without. :bigrin:

[darkeyes]

Fran, we do NOT deliver. You make your own, or do without. :bigrin:Made me broom all by mesel Annika.. but this is 21st century and we have insurance for 2 cover against loss by thieving sods... the SWU is very nice and helpful at such times of stress...;)

[Annika L]

Made me broom all by mesel Annika.. but this is 21st century and we have insurance for 2 cover against loss by thieving sods... the SWU is very nice and helpful at such times of stress...;)

Huh...I gotta review my union contract...I've never heard of this insurance! Maybe it's just a UK thing....

[dickhand]

I am the "stay in the car" type when taking anyone shopping . I have seen more men parking as though they have no concept as to what all those painted lines are all about than women . Parking directly over the line taking up two spaces , parking diagonally in spaces that aren't , also taking up two spaces , parking in so far as to partially block the space ahead of them , again using two spaces or any number of combination of these make me wish I had the power , the power to ticket . I would slap them up side the head , truth be told !