In the competitive world of UON car parking, Bridie O’Shea reminds us of parking etiquette. 

Parking at UON can be stressful, especially if you are searching for a park after 9am (don’t even attempt it friend, it’s not going to happen). And whilst being a student doesn’t entitle us to a park every time we drive into Uni, we kind of expect it – at least I do – and when that doesn’t happen, things can get pretty heated. So here’s a list of ways to help each other out in the crazy, competitive fight for empty parking spaces.

The “Yes, I’m leaving” Wave. 

If you see someone driving aimlessly around the car park and you’re walking to your car, give them a wave. There’s no greater relief than someone signalling to you that they’re leaving and are giving you their car space. On the other hand, there’s nothing more frustrating than following someone slowly around the car park to find out that they’re only dropping some books off to their car. Let’s not waste each other’s time. Communication is key.

Friendly advice. Image via Instagram @ella_estella15.

Beeping.

Please don’t beep people who are waiting for someone to pull out of a car space. Beeping people won’t make them go any quicker (God knows I get even more stressed out and end up going even slower). I get it, you need to get around, you’re probably late to a class, you’re probably super stressed, but please don’t take that anger out on other drivers. We’re all in the same boat. I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy car park, asking it to love her be free. I’ll be as quick as I can. Promise.

Satan decided to go grocery shopping today. Image via Instagram @creaner88.

Ticket Machines.

See someone struggling at the ticket machine? Maybe they usually buy a parking permit and haven’t gotten around to it this semester. Maybe they’ve never used a parking ticket machine before. Maybe instead of huffing and puffing behind them, go up and give them a hand. It’ll save you all a whole lot of time and hey, there’s your good deed done for the day. Pat on the back. May you have good juju for the rest of the day.

A bit close? Image via Instagram @parkingspotshaming

Parking People In.

I cannot stress this enough: Please don’t PARK PEOPLE IN. Two weeks ago I had to get out of my car to help a girl reverse out of a park because some idiot had parked perpendicular behind her and she hardly had any space at all to move. One 6-point-turn later and she was finally out, flustered and embarrassed. Uni isn’t like a shopping centre where you can call out the licence plate over the PA system. I know it’s difficult to find a park between 9:30am-2:00pm but please, please, PLEASE don’t park people in.

So there we have it. Let’s help each other out to make the stressful task of finding a park at UON that much easier. Do you think I’ve missed one of your parking pet peeves? Let me know in the comments!

Featured Image: Flickr, Amanda, no changes made.