That coconut crab picture got cross-posted to a bunch of blogs over the weekend. One of them mentioned that they're kept as pets in Japan? WTF?

The Smith System for defensive driving says backing into a parking space reduces accidents. The theory is that when you come back to your car, you're more likely to be tired and have your mind on something else. (I worked for a company that was slightly obsessed by the Smith System.)

I would think it's more a matter of simple range of vision. When you're backing in, you're starting from the middle of the lane where you can see if anyone's coming. Backing out, your range of vision can be seriously compromised, especially if you've got SUVs or vans on either side.

What is the point of backing into a parking spot?

If your battery dies, it is easier to jump?

I can't back in to save my life, though.

Backing in, there's a small possibility someone might walk behind you. Backing out, there's pedestrians and traffic and possibly a compromised rear view (if you're, say, moving across the country with a van full of all your possessions).

I don't do it as a general rule, but there are times when it's handy.

It makes everyone stuck behind you in the parking lot where you are blocking traffic as you repeatedly correct and overcorrect while trying to park curse your very existance and assume bad things about your ego.

Or maybe I'm the only one that does that.

It makes everyone stuck behind you in the parking lot where you are blocking traffic as you repeatedly correct and overcorrect while trying to park curse your very existance and assume bad things about your ego.

Thank you!

Maybe I'm just grumpy in the mornings (I'm totally grumpy in the mornings), but it throws my rhythm off when I'm driving and the moron in front of me, instead of pulling into a perfectly accessible parking space, has to drive past it, and then suddenly stop to back into it.

It's easier to back in to a tight space than pull into it, and safer getting out because you can see the cars coming down the aisle.

Yeah, that's just bad manners. But I will say that if the person has a compromised rear view it may be necessary.

The other day I was passed by someone doing, I swear, 90 in medium-heavy traffic doing 70. I soothed myself by thinking, maybe they're trying to get to the hospital. Odds are, they're just fast jerks. But it could be...

My husband always back in. I always think of it as a military thing - it's easier to get everyone out smoothly if you can just pull right out of your spot.