The challenges of parallel parking

Oh well - I'm by no means a perfect parallel parker myself. Still, I find it fun to watch those who are oblivious to even the most basic skills of it - and amazed that they ever managed to get a driver's license in the first place.

I find it just as rewarding to watch and read about male stupidity though - the Darwin awards have long been a site that gives me many hearty laughs.

As far as sexism goes, this is an example of the kind I find horrific, and which should be considered a true criminal offence all around the world. This specific incident is gross, but it is a horrific example of what is arguably the most sexist traditions yet existing on this planet.

Parallel parking is tricky, and like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it. I see people in London parallel parking in spaces I wouldn't even consider parking in, they're so small! But they do it in one hit every time, because they have to do it every day. I have little need to park in that way, so rarely do, and when I do it always takes me a few attempts.

Of course, one could always practice..

Edited by Blacksword - February 04 2010 at 07:26

I can't parallel park for crap. 

Windhawk wrote: Henry Plainview wrote: That was a stupid, sexist thing to say, and I'd tell you where to put your head, but I'm afraid that would fall under the personal attacks rule... Really? Here's an article about one of many studies that shows that women in general have more problems with parking vehicles than men. Go talk to someone working in the claims departments at an insurance company dealing with car insurance as well - and if you have the inclination you might also want to look up statistics on car accidents on parking lots. It all boils down to the fact that men in general have a better developed instinct for mathematics, geography and geometrics than women. Our brains works differently, women have strong points on other fronts where we men can be oafs. Handling emotions for example. Caring for others is another one. And you won't find many women going around shooting or in other ways killing other people either. That's very much a male thing to do. In general.

Olav, there may be a lot of truth in those studies, but I would also like to point out that such findings can be dangerous. You mention caring for others - this is one of the excuses generally used to keep women in certain (generally low-paying) jobs, or even to keep them at home altogether.

As regards the question of aggression (the shootings you mentioned), I believe it is mostly motivated by testosterone, as well as cultural stereotypes (remember, boys play with toy soldiers, girls with dolls). However, women have developed other, more covert forms of violence, which can hurt a person as badly as the more 'physical' kind. I have been hurt very badly by other women, and in general dread having a woman as a boss.

Anyway, I've solved any problems related to parallel parking in a very radical way: I don't drive. And Micky (who is not a woman) tells me he absolutely HATES parallel parking!

stonebeard wrote: However, I totaled my car while listening to Dream Theater's Octavarium. I suck at driving.

That's not an example of bad driving though, but a case of not being able to parallel process - or multitask if you like.

As far as car accidents go, men will dominate most accident statistics that point towards multitasking while driving a car. Somewhat depending on just what kind of multitasking we're dealing with though ;-)

Accidents that have happened close by posters of scantily clad women will always be dominated by men, for instance ;-)

Never mind that he (or anyone) could very possible pull up a study or a few that confirm women are worse at parallel parking than men. Perhaps the opposite can be shown.

It's not sexist if it's true, or a general rule.

However, I totaled my car while listening to Dream Theater's Octavarium. I suck at driving.

hoping this was 'The challenges of parallel universes'

I've gotten a lot better at it since living in a major city.

Makes me wonder how some people pass their tests these days...

Ah, the wonders of the drive-thru