Parking Lot Heroes: Champions or Jerks?
A vehicle parked haphazardly across multiple spaces at a Walmart in Maine faced an amusing form of public justice when a passerby decided to encircle it with shopping carts, effectively trapping the car in place. Shopper Jake Larson snapped a photo of the scene and shared it on social media with the caption: “This driver got schooled on parking etiquette.”
Larson’s post quickly went viral, racking up millions of views and catching the attention of news outlets, with many calling the cart-corralling individual a hero for standing up to bad parking. While it’s tempting to applaud this “Parking Lot Avenger,” it raises an important question: Could it actually be the avenger who’s in the wrong, not the driver?
We’ve all seen similar posts: someone encounters a bad parker and devises a clever way to get back at them for the sake of all conscientious parkers. Sure, some drivers do act thoughtlessly, taking up extra space without concern. But consider this: What if the driver just experienced a personal tragedy? What if they were in a rush due to an emergency? Or perhaps they parked over the lines because the parking spots were obscured by snow? As Larson mentioned to a local news station, “I heard it was an employee who slid into the spot on ice and found the carts around their car later.”
Imagine being a Walmart employee just trying to make it to work on time, only to discover that your day has taken another unfortunate turn.
While the idea of seeking justice for bad parking is appealing, many of us might refrain from such antics unless provoked severely. But is it really worth going to such lengths just to make someone’s difficult day even worse? Is it worth the social media fame?
I once parked carefully in a tight spot at a public library, balancing my twin toddlers and my own struggles. When I returned to the car, I discovered my vehicle had been scratched from front to back. I was devastated.
Being annoyed by someone’s actions doesn’t give you license to retaliate. Just because a stranger’s behavior irks you—regardless of how wrong they may be—doesn’t mean you should respond with aggression, whether that’s leaving nasty notes, damaging property, or creating unprovoked chaos. Sometimes, it’s better to just think, “What a jerk,” and move on. We’ve all made mistakes, often for reasons that are entirely understandable.
So let’s shift away from being unkind just for a laugh or to make someone else feel bad. Let’s choose empathy instead.
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In summary, the next time you encounter poor parking, consider that there may be more to the story than meets the eye. Rather than taking revenge, perhaps a moment of understanding is the better choice.