Using your bumper to park...

[R8Steve]

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

[EnthusiastOwned]

Richard-390a0 said:

cluckcluck said:

I've done this a few times by mistake when I just started driving years ago.

IMO I think the real issue here is that cars are not fit for the purpose of parking in tight spots. A car really should be able to slowly 'bash & bump' other cars and both remain unharmed. I have clipped my bumper at 1-2 mph on a fence and it cost quite a lot to repair, which struck me as a huge design fault for the car. People make mistakes, people get distracted and car makers should allow for this.

The only issue here is your lack of spatial awareness!

I agree, you can't make the same excuse when running a child over - I got distracted. You're driving, 100% attention on that please, if you're incapable get the bus.

Car makers are allowing for this though, front impact systems as an example. The issue we have is the people who bump into other cars are the same people who wouldn't fork out for the option as it's an unnecessary expense.

[untakenname]

Miss my old car with it's towbar, had plenty of marks on it where people just drove into it.

My current car has no tow bar so I'm thinking of mounting one of these on it but not sure of the legalities?

[dmitsi]

R8Steve said:

dmitsi said:

I do it but only ever with the rear of my car as I can see the front so know when to stop. Also I've got a towbar so don't scuff my bumper.

What about the other persons bumper or does it not matter that theirs might be scuffed as long as yours isn't?

That's what towbars are for isn't it? If they don't want their bumper scuffed they should fit them and bull bars.

[boxst]

My favourite Italian phrase, that seems to be used constantly when in Italy "Parking by ear" : Go forward, wait for contact, go back contact again and repeat until in the space.

[R8Steve]

dmitsi said:

R8Steve said:

dmitsi said:

I do it but only ever with the rear of my car as I can see the front so know when to stop. Also I've got a towbar so don't scuff my bumper.

What about the other persons bumper or does it not matter that theirs might be scuffed as long as yours isn't?

That's what towbars are for isn't it? If they don't want their bumper scuffed they should fit them and bull bars.

No, that's what reversing sensors are for. Towbars are for towing.

[phil_cardiff]

R8Steve said:

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

I wouldn't have wanted to leave my details but it was a gamble I was willing to take, based on how slowly I was going. If you knew the area I was talking about you'd know there was no alternative. I probably wasn't thinking of alternatives either if I'm honest. I saw a space, my car would fit (just), I parked and went into the delivery suite.

I don't take this approach as a matter of course and wouldn't dream of doing this in Tesco's etc. But, unfortunately, cars will become 2nd hand over time. Unless you fit bullbars etc.

[Muddle238]

It's totally unacceptable, both socially and morally. You find a parking space, but think it's ok to reverse into somebody else's car because you yourself lack spatial awareness. Jesus Christ, a parking sensor kit is only £15 on eBay! Reversing into another car and cracking their number plate, that's £15 they need to fork out and will be an MOT failure for your own lack of driving ability. Rubbing against a bumper on a pearl white car? A three-layer pearl paint can't be blended in at a body shop, a full bumper respray then is £400. Cracking a plastic headlight lense? The headlights on my car are £600 a unit. Then you've got the bumper distortion, breaking the fixings around the bumper/wing joins, the damage to delicate grilles, popping badges off, scratching the laquer and paint, damage to cameras, popping parking sensors inside the bumper, radar units etc.

It's a bit like thinking it's acceptable to rest your door against another car in a car park, as long as you're careful. No it's bloody not. As you shift your fat lardarse out, the suspension will lift and the doors will scrape. The social rejects who usually park like this though are the lazy ones nearest the shop doors. One half of the car park is empty, one half is full, apart from one tight space. Some mouth breathing spacktard will come along, ignore the further 50% of empty spaces but try to jam their car into the one tight space near the door...

[xjay1337]

EnthusiastOwned said:

What's peoples thoughts on this?

Last night I went to the supermarket, parked in a half decent space (end of the row, with a car in front). Came out after my shopping to see a different car in front of mine and think to myself that they've parked like a chump (diagonal in the space, literally chucked it in). Walk closer to the car and notice a very obvious and fresh line in the dirt and grime on my front bumper, yep; matching clean line in the dirt on their bumper. They had literally chucked their car in, used my bumper as a guide to stop and move forward a tad.

I raged, thought of my options and decided to leave rather than do something stupid. Judging by how they've parked the liklihood of them noticing what they've done or even caring was non existent, confrontation was pointless as they were probably the worse kind of person (it's only a car, right?), what the F*** is wrong with these people?

I'm still pissed about it today (brand new car and I REALLY hate inconsiderate people), it looks like it'll polish out but I still really regret not letting off some steam by inconveniencing and pissing them off in some way like they have me, letting two tyres down would have done it. Anyway, just wanted to vent.

Let's discuss!

I would have gone into the supermarket, customer service till, can you please call the owner of said vehicle to the desk.

I'd have dragged them out, asked them to point out what was wrong, and to then ask them to explain.

A quick £150 cash withdrawl to cover a respray, should teach them a thing or two.

If they give you some st, I'd walk back into the shop, pretend to go about my business, then head out again to give their car a quick boot before driving off. I am not one for messing with peoples cars but I think in such a rampant disregard for peoples properties combined with a lack of apology / appreciation that it's wrong / offer to repair, they get what they deserve.

[ANJ91]

I lived with a female housemate who said that she is terrible at reversing so she reverses slowly until she touches something.

One time she didn't realise there was a small brick wall behind and knocked it down.

[lesstatt]

dmitsi said:

I do it but only ever with the rear of my car as I can see the front so know when to stop. Also I've got a towbar so don't scuff my bumper.

I got my previous post to the fool above deleted as I tried to bypass the swearing censor, so now that I have to be careful

That's because you in my opinion are a c*** who frankly if I saw you do that to my car would get chinned. Deliberately using your tow bar as a bumper, what a you are sir

[DJT]

A certain valet parking company at LHR likes to park many of the customer cars in this way, to maximise storage space. You can often see the number plate bending backwards against the other car's bumper. There must be scuff marks to the paint in many cases. Not what you thought you were paying for!

[RacingPete]

If you retaliate by booting the other car, or letting down the tyres then you are an equal tt.

Confront them if you want to deal with it, move on with your life if you don't.

[jamieduff1981]

phil_cardiff said:

R8Steve said:

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

I wouldn't have wanted to leave my details but it was a gamble I was willing to take, based on how slowly I was going. If you knew the area I was talking about you'd know there was no alternative. I probably wasn't thinking of alternatives either if I'm honest. I saw a space, my car would fit (just), I parked and went into the delivery suite.

I don't take this approach as a matter of course and wouldn't dream of doing this in Tesco's etc. But, unfortunately, cars will become 2nd hand over time. Unless you fit bullbars etc.

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

[PixelpeepS3]

jamieduff1981 said:

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

fantastic post, spot on.

[phil_cardiff]

jamieduff1981 said:

phil_cardiff said:

R8Steve said:

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

I wouldn't have wanted to leave my details but it was a gamble I was willing to take, based on how slowly I was going. If you knew the area I was talking about you'd know there was no alternative. I probably wasn't thinking of alternatives either if I'm honest. I saw a space, my car would fit (just), I parked and went into the delivery suite.

I don't take this approach as a matter of course and wouldn't dream of doing this in Tesco's etc. But, unfortunately, cars will become 2nd hand over time. Unless you fit bullbars etc.

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

You might want to do two things here.

1. Read what I've written on this post. All of it.
2. Have a close look at your own attitude.

[lesstatt]

PixelpeepS3 said:

jamieduff1981 said:

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

fantastic post, spot on.

+ 1 here, far to many cretins on here trying to justify damaging other people's property with their st parking

[jamieduff1981]

phil_cardiff said:

jamieduff1981 said:

phil_cardiff said:

R8Steve said:

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

I wouldn't have wanted to leave my details but it was a gamble I was willing to take, based on how slowly I was going. If you knew the area I was talking about you'd know there was no alternative. I probably wasn't thinking of alternatives either if I'm honest. I saw a space, my car would fit (just), I parked and went into the delivery suite.

I don't take this approach as a matter of course and wouldn't dream of doing this in Tesco's etc. But, unfortunately, cars will become 2nd hand over time. Unless you fit bullbars etc.

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

You might want to do two things here.

1. Read what I've written on this post. All of it.
2. Have a close look at your own attitude.

1) I did
2) My attitude is the result of yours

[phil_cardiff]

jamieduff1981 said:

phil_cardiff said:

jamieduff1981 said:

phil_cardiff said:

R8Steve said:

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

I wouldn't have wanted to leave my details but it was a gamble I was willing to take, based on how slowly I was going. If you knew the area I was talking about you'd know there was no alternative. I probably wasn't thinking of alternatives either if I'm honest. I saw a space, my car would fit (just), I parked and went into the delivery suite.

I don't take this approach as a matter of course and wouldn't dream of doing this in Tesco's etc. But, unfortunately, cars will become 2nd hand over time. Unless you fit bullbars etc.

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

You might want to do two things here.

1. Read what I've written on this post. All of it.
2. Have a close look at your own attitude.

1) I did
2) My attitude is the result of yours

What exactly is my attitude on this matter?

[jamieduff1981]

phil_cardiff said:

jamieduff1981 said:

phil_cardiff said:

jamieduff1981 said:

phil_cardiff said:

R8Steve said:

phil_cardiff said:

By way of context, I prefer not to touch another car with mine. But I can remember the last time I did it, it was about 3 years ago.

I was driving my wife to the maternity suite at the hospital in Cardiff. I dropped her off and went to park the car. The parking is unbelievably tight around there and I had to parallel park my car in-between 2 others.

It was a tight space and as I was reversing to straighten up I reversed at crawling speed until I touched the car behind. I checked for damage, there was none, as I was going so slowly. Had there been I would have left my details.

Normally I would not have parked there, I would have looked for another space, but I wanted to be with my wife who was in labour. I would not have welcomed a 'chat' at this point in my life.

But you would have welcomed writing out and leaving your details had there been damage?

Would it not just have been easier to park without having to touch anything, you know, like anyone with a driving licence should be able to do?

That way you would have saved time with no need for checking for damage, writing notes or having chats.

I wouldn't have wanted to leave my details but it was a gamble I was willing to take, based on how slowly I was going. If you knew the area I was talking about you'd know there was no alternative. I probably wasn't thinking of alternatives either if I'm honest. I saw a space, my car would fit (just), I parked and went into the delivery suite.

I don't take this approach as a matter of course and wouldn't dream of doing this in Tesco's etc. But, unfortunately, cars will become 2nd hand over time. Unless you fit bullbars etc.

It comes down to attitude. Yours, to be specific. If I see you tap my car by accident and you're mortified by your incompetence I might let it pass. If I get some philosophical pish about my car inevitably becoming 2nd hand, I'd have to restrain myself from thumping you and jumping up and down on your car roof.

If you want to tap your car against sturdy walls, bollards or other substantial structures then carry on. Don't EVER think it's ok to contact someone else's private property though. Incase you're the sort who can't read people very well, damage or not, the very act of bumping someone else's car has them pissed off and in conflict mode. Some will pacify better than others. If you don't want to risk getting your skull fractured by some nutter, your number 1 priority when parking your car is to avoid hitting anything at all.

At its most basic level, by contacting something during parking, your driving is below the minimum standard needed to gain a driving license. Let's be honest, passing a driving test is a pretty low bar to shuffle over at the best of times. Anyone who can't be certain of parking without hitting a something should surrender their driving license and seek retraining.

You might want to do two things here.

1. Read what I've written on this post. All of it.
2. Have a close look at your own attitude.

1) I did
2) My attitude is the result of yours

What exactly is my attitude on this matter?

2 Specific key points got my back up.

1) Your first post on topic, opening with the words "I'd do it ...". No, you shouldn't willingly do it.
2) I detest anyone who tries to down-play their wrong doings unto others. Cars will become 2nd hand etc. Only when knobs crash in to them. You may be happy with the defeatist view that your car will tend towards entropy, but you're on Pistonheads. Many of us consider our cars our pride and joy and work hard for them. It is accepted that cars age, but it's not acceptable to accelerate that aging by crashing in to them.

Do what you want with whatever heap you drive. Treat everyone elses' car be it a £300,000 Ferrari or a £300 Fiesta as though they'll go apest on you if you hit it.

It's not only possible but quite likely that your idea of no damage differs from other peoples'. It's highly unlikely that the kind of person who thinks it's ok to 2nd-handify cars with friendly taps will have very high standards (or even the ability to notice damage).

Given the hostility towards you on this thread about what could happen if caught bumping someones' car, maybe you could extrapolate that and consider how the situation might pan out in person. Referring back to point 1 above, you stated that you'd do it. Not that you did it once by mistake and luckily got away with it - you said "I'd do it". If it's my car you're eyeing up as a parking aid, just fking don't.