University Parking Etiquette Humor

Do not park your car in a handicapped parking space unless you have a handicap sticker. If you park without the sticker, rest assured you’ll run into the parking patrol, who will snidely ask you what your handicap is. When you reply, “Oh, about 30,” be prepared for two tickets. – “Davis is the ultimate college town. It’s green, laid back and friendly. You can walk or bike from the main campus to the main street in a few blocks. College students fill up the tables at nearby restaurants and coffee shops with their laptops, homework and friends. The town of Davis helps our students thrive. - From ucdavis.edu”

Now that the rainy season seems to have returned for a few last swats at University of California at Davis's population, more students will be driving to school and more of them will have to use good manners in parking their cars.

No, Emily Post was never a “valet girl,” so she probably never gave car courtesy the slightest thought. However, if she were to park her car on the UCD campus between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (if she's not provided with a space), she would realize the need for parking lot etiquette.

The following tidbits should serve as a reminder to show the courtesy and consideration you need to keep from dampening your spirits and the spirits of others when the rain starts to fall.

Entering the parking lot:

• It is always better to avoid confrontation with other cars by getting to the parking lot early, say, 5 a.m. Don't think this will necessarily get you to class on time. Remember the time-tested thesis: the more time you have, the more likely you are to be late.
• If you must use public parking, make sure you have two quarters ready to put in the machine. Try to avoid getting a day pass after you've already parked.

Looking for a space:

• If you're in front of a few cars, be aware of those cars behind you. Keep the line moving unless you're waiting for a car to vacate a space.
• If you're behind a car or a couple of cars, be patient. There’s no reason to risk an accident by hurrying. Besides, you didn't want to get to that lecture anyway.
• Always give a potential parking space to the car that gets there first.
• If you must use that kind of language, kindly roll up your window.

Parking your car:

• Do not park your car in a handicapped parking space unless you have a handicap sticker. If you park without the sticker, rest assured you’ll run into the parking patrol, who will snidely ask you what your handicap is. When you reply, “Oh, about 30,” be prepared for two tickets.
• If you have a small car, don't park between two large cars if you can help it. You can't imagine the frustration potential parkers have when they find at the last minute that their “space” has been occupied.
• Once you’ve parked, make sure your lights are turned off. This not only prevents your battery from running down, it also prevents you from passing the problem on to good citizens.
• If you notice a car with its lights on, try to locate the driver. Leaving a note on the windshield doesn't seem to work. If you open the car door to turn off the lights, please lock the door for the driver and do not take the tape machine as a “reward” for a good deed.
• Take everything you need out of your car. Don't return to a full parking lot only to get this “one little thing” out of your car. Once you've taken everything you need, leave the parking lot immediately.

Notes in general:

• Don't cross a crowded parking lot unless you are going to get your car out of that lot. It is impolite to jangle your keys as you cross the lot just to see how many cars follow you. It’s a fun game, to be sure, but if you play it, beware of cars who devise a little game of their own.
• In case you're not leaving, inform all the cars behind you.
• Other rules that you might have in mind should reflect the common courtesy and common sense as the ones above (cue music). Following these rules will make parking during the rainy season less frustrating for everybody.

Although parking lot etiquette is a serious subject, this article isn't meant to be excessively scolding or accusing— leave that to the letters to the editor. Let's leave our little discussion with a joke, shall we? How many Californians does it take to park a car? None. They can't find their space. — By D. Chatfield for California Aggie, 1984

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia