Can People Stand on Parking Slots to Reserve Them?
Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
You may have seen that viral video of the two ladies standing in a parking spot at what appears to be the outside of a mall. If you haven't yet, try looking it up on Facebook, we're sure you won't have trouble finding it.
The two women were supposedly blocking a black sedan from entering an empty slot so that their truck could take it instead. It was clear, however, that the car arrived at the spot before the pickup did. Unfortunately, these ladies were already there to "reserve" it. We're not exactly sure how things went, but there seemed to have been some form of verbal exchange, after which the driver of the black car decided to yield. That wasn't the end of it yet, though, as the driver of the pickup went down to join the scuffle after leaving his vehicle halfway into the slot.
Also read: Free Parking Bill Is Filed in Congress, Covers Malls, Hospitals and Schools
Some of you might probably be thinking: Who is in the wrong here? Is a pedestrian standing in a parking spot in place of an actual vehicle for reservation purposes allowed?
If you ask us, the simple answer is no, unless you want to make an idiot of yourself in the middle of a busy parking garage. Not that it really needed pointing out, but several establishments have even put up signs to remind people that they can't stand in a parking spot to reserve them.
You see, basic parking etiquette dictates that in the absence of a formal reservation with parking management (in which case a slot will be properly marked or blocked by a pylon or sign), free slots are on a first-come first-served basis. This is regardless of whether it's in a public or private area.
Do we have a law against this practice?
"Is there a law against it?" you might ask. Correct us if we're wrong, but probably not—well, at least not here in the Philippines. Apparently, it is against the law in Honolulu, Hawaii, but no matter where on Earth you happen to be, you aren't a walking pylon, and the driver shouldn't treat you as such.
If you're expecting to stand there and be met by anything other than a raised eyebrow and an awkward situation, you're going to end up red-faced. If you plan on heading back an hour later for revenge, we don't think we need to tell you whether you're breaking the law or not.
Also read: No Parking Space, No Car Bill is Filed, Here's What You Need to Know