Post # 1
Member
4336 posts
Honey bee
Ok, I don’t want to sway your poll answers, but I have always thought it very rude to park in someone’s driveway, especially if there is street parking right there. (Especially what if someone else who lives there has to get in or out while you’re there?)
I always assumed that most people understood this. But then I started noticing that some of my friends (who are otherwise wonderful people) didn’t think it was a big deal to park in someone else’s driveway.
To me it seems that this could easily inconvenience other people who live there, and isn’t worth the hassle if you don’t know their parking situation (like who parks where and where in the driveway is “available.”) So I’m really curious to hear the thinking behind others who think it’s fine.
So, please! Enlighten me! 🙂
Post # 3
Member
1269 posts
Bumble bee
I have no problem parking in the driveway or if someone were to park in mine. I especially do it for a party if I know many people are coming over.
To answer your concerns though, it’s really not that hard to ask someone to move their car if needed. The only person inconvenienced is the person whose car it is. Usually if you invite people over you aren’t going anywhere.
Post # 4
Member
2408 posts
Buzzing bee
The only time I park in the driveway is if I know I won’t be there for long, but this really only applies to a couple of my friends’ houses. Otherwise I park on the street
Post # 5
Member
2496 posts
Buzzing bee
I do usually park on the street if I do happen to go to a home with street parking. But, most houses I visit have no option but to park in the driveway.
Post # 6
Member
9056 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
No, I’d probably park on the road unless I knew the parking situation and that it was ok to park in the driveway.
Post # 7
Member
9029 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
It all depends on how long I plan to stay and my relationship with them. If I’m gonna be in and out then I can park in the driveway because I know I’ll be on my way shortly. BUt I usually ask the best place to park
Post # 8
Member
46330 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I would clarify first that it was ok to park in the driveway-i.e. no one needed to get out
Why leave driveway space empty and take up a spot on the street that someone else might need?
Post # 9
Member
2522 posts
Sugar bee
Maybe it’s just me, but I grew up off a county road, not in a subdivision so on-street parking wasn’t available. To me it’s perfectly normal to park in the driveway. I will say though that if it’s a subdivision or otherwise small driveway, then I’ll usually park in the street.
EDIT: My question is, why would you invite someone over and then need to leave? Unless your SO is leaving?
EDIT #2: It also depends on the familiarity of the person and the reason why I’m there, like if it’s a party or not?
Post # 10
Member
1723 posts
Bumble bee
I park in the driveway unless told otherwise before hand. I have this fear of someone hitting my car if I leave it on the street.
Post # 11
Member
4336 posts
Honey bee
@beekiss: Well, I was thinking of this question cuz up til recently I lived with 3 other young ladies in a house, and I was still surprised by how often people would park in our driveway– even when they knew that there were 4 independent adults living there, that could very likely be coming and going!
ETA: but interestingly, it was also my roommate who grew up on a country road who didn’t find that strange at all! 🙂
Post # 12
Member
3871 posts
Honey bee
Ok, I’m slightly confused. You say ‘someone’ like you don’t know this person. There is no way I would park in someone’s driveway that I don’t know.
If it were a friend’s driveway or someone that was expecting me, then maybe. If I know their husband or SO isn’t home yet, then I’ll try to find visitor or street parking. Plus, if they have a garage, I don’t want to block their spot if they plan to pull into their garage.
ETA: Also, if they have a really long driveway, then yeah, I’ll park in their driveway. If they have a one spot driveway, then I’ll most likely won’t park. Also, if i’m not sure, I’ll call them before I park my car to double check.
Post # 13
Member
1446 posts
Bumble bee
Wow I had never really thought about this. I usually park in the driveway, but part of that may be because I grew up in a really dangerous area and you usually wanted your car as close to the house as possible. Now that I live in a safe area, I hope no one thinks I’m rude for parking in the driveway!
Post # 14
Member
883 posts
Busy bee
I put never but it depends. If I won’t be blocking anyone/blocked by anyone I will occasionally park in the driveway. Also if its a quick stop by I may park in the driveway if its a pretty busy street. If I know a lot of people are coming I usually park on the street to avoid getting blocked in and usually get there early to ensure a spot in front of their house.
Post # 15
Member
2522 posts
Sugar bee
@red_rose: That makes sense if you have roommates or other people. I wouldn’t park in the drive-way if I knew if one SO had to leave or arrive.
Post # 16
Member
3297 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: August 2013 - An amazing non-profit retreat
My neighbours used to have parties on Wednesday nights and their friends would park in front of our house… we have a gravel lot with space for about 3 cars. I would get home from my fitness class and not have a space to park. In front of my own house. They kept on doing it too, so I finally went over there and explained that it’s not public parking.
