Driveway etiquette?

[goblue2539]

This is probably a minor thing, but I told Gran I would ask. 

If you go to someone's house, and notice that their car isn't there, do you take their spot in the driveway?  This happens a lot with us because Gran is home most of the time and I'm the one who drives, so people will stay with her, usually until well past when I get home.  So, the question is, is it rude of these people to park in the driveway spot closest to the door when we have a double at the bottom and they could park there instead? 

This Saturday, a friend of the family invited Gran and I over his house for lunch.  While we were gone, my uncle came over the house, and he and his girlfriend parked in the top spot of the driveway.  Normally this is just a minor annoyance and I'll park in the bottom spot or on the street.  But, this time I got totally ticked off because Gran had to walk all the way up the driveway at her own house.  We're in MI, and I work full-time and go to school part-time, so there was some ice on the driveway.  Is it unfair of me to think that they could have moved their car when they realized Gran wasn't home and would have to walk that far into the house in below zero wind chill?  I admit to a mild etiquette violation, because girlfriend saw me glare at her through the window.  So, I was honest with her.  I didn't mind parking in the street for me, but I was upset that Gran had to be outside any longer than necessary.  She apologized, I accepted for my part of it, and that was that. 

Thoughts, feelings, concerns?  Constructive criticism?  I know I may be opening the can of worms, but I really want to know if I'm overly sensitive to this or not.  If it matters at all, when that same friend of the family takes "my" spot, I don't mind because I know he parks there to get Gran as close to the door as possible, and that's my ultimate goal. 

[scooter2071]

I think its acceptable to request people not take up the spot closest to the house to accomodate your grandmother--especially in her own home.
I would mention this to the offenders when it happens again.

[Sophia]

I would have probably asked them to move the car.  It is rude to park in the driveway when there is street parking available. 

[Lisbeth]

I think people need to leave driveways to the residents of the homes and park on the street.

I'd make an exception for guests who have mobility problems, but in this case your grandmother is the resident.

[twinkletoes]

Unless I'm told otherwise (i.e., "Oh, please park in the driveway!"), I park on the street.  What if the host/ess of a party needs to go on a provisions run?  What if I'm the first one at the party, everyone parks behind me, and I want to leave early?  I'll have to make those folks move their cars so I can get out.

[goblue2539]

Thank you so much!  I'm not crazy or overreacting.  It's a great feeling. 

I think in this particular case I'm going to let Gran handle it.  My uncle can be very immature at times, so it seems best to let his mom handle it.

[Pixie]

I never park in someone's driveway without asking and being granted permission.    I just don't, I think its rude.




ETA:  The exception being, if I were helping them move, and they were using MY vehicle. 

[hobish]

Even at my parents house i wouldn't presume to park in their driveway if one of the cars weren't there. It's their driveway. I would feel very rude parking in someone else's driveway, unless it was only for a moment or two while i ran in & dropped off something or some similar situation.

[alli_wan]

Do you live at the house?  Because if you (and your car) don't, it's a bit much for people to just expect to know.  Not to mention if the rest of the driveway isn't shoveled, it's kind of rude to expect people to park there.

Assuming the car doesn't normally 'live' there, it's a bit much to expect people to magically divine your wishes (particularly for a driveway with space for three cars).  If they continue to do it after you've pointed it out to them, then they are being quite rude.

[goblue2539]

I live with Gran.  I'm sorry.  I should have mentioned that too.  Otherwise, it wouldn't be up to me at all and I would take whatever I got. 

Before I forget another possibly pertinent piece of info, I couldn't park behind them in the driveway because I knew they had to leave within the next half hour or so.  I don't know if that matters or not either, that they might have thought they would be leaving before we got back. 

At another house, even a relative, I agree with alli_wan.  I don't even park in my mother's driveway.  Ever.