An etiquette expert has weighed in on whether people should be allowed to stand in parking spaces to reserve them for incoming cars.
The debate follows a recent incident at a Sydney beach where a woman stood in an empty parking bay for several minutes to hold the space for a friend who was driving nearby.
During that time, multiple vehicles attempted to park before being waved away.
Speaking to news.com.au, the woman defended her actions.
“Entrepreneurs win, and you have to think differently,” she joked, adding, “It’s everyone for themselves out there”.
She also insisted she was “doing a good deed” for her friend.
Her actions were met with mixed responses, with some saying that it was fine as long as the person driving was close by or if it was done for friends or family.
“It’s time delineated, up to two minutes is reasonable,” one said.
Another said: “I think if it’s less than one minute, it’s fine”.
“I think everyone understands and would do the same for their friends or family,” a third added.
Others disagreed, with one describing the practice as “un-Australian”.
“You can’t reserve a spot without a car,” another added.
Etiquette expert Anna Musson said the issue was straightforward.
“I think we can all agree that the answer is no,” she said.
Musson said parking operates on a “first in, best dressed” basis, and clarified that “first in” applies to vehicles, not pedestrians.
She said the same principle should be applied in other shared public settings, including pub booths, sporting events and retail sales.
“Remember, we’re all in the same situation, and a space will become available,” she said.
Similar incidents have previously sparked heated debate online. Last year, a post on the Mosman Living Facebook page showed a woman and her child standing in a Balmoral Beach parking space to prevent drivers from entering while waiting for a family member.
“How sad, what the world is coming to,” one local wrote, alleging that when he challenged her, she responded: “My husband is coming, why don’t you go and get f***ed yourself”.
The post attracted hundreds of comments, with some calling the behaviour “selfish” and “manipulative”, while others defended it as “fair play” if the driver was only moments away.
The issue has also been widely debated on Reddit, where users shared differing views on whether they would challenge someone standing in a parking bay or drive away to avoid confrontation.
In New South Wales, pedestrians are prohibited from causing a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a vehicle and may be fined up to 20 penalty units, or about $2200. They must also not unreasonably obstruct drivers.
Image: Facebook/Mosman Living
