By Linda Missal
You’re walking to your car after class. Suddenly, from behind you: the low growling of the eight-cylinder engine; brakes squeaking as the car inches forward. The Parking Spot Stalker.
RVCC freshman John Mikolajczyk is tired of being stalked. He decides to speak out about parking spot stalkers.
This semester is much worse than last semester was, says Mikolajczyk. According to him, Mondays and Wednesdays before noon are peak prowling hours.
These stalkers “Follow you around in hopes that when you leave, they’ll get your spot,” Mikolajczyk says. “They’re lazy; they want a good spot, not just any spot.” Mikolajczyk uses various tactics to foil stalkers. “You could just ignore them,” he says, “but it’s weird because they’re staring at you.”
Mikolajczyk usually pretends that his car is parked far away, he says, until stalkers eventually give up. “I wish women paid as much attention to me as parking lot stalkers.” Stalkers make Mikolajczyk anxious: “Someone you don’t know is following you.” And annoy him: “like a rash or something.” His plea: “Just park somewhere else.”
According to him, there is no reason to stalk for a spot. “It’s rude. There are always spots open, it’s just a matter of convenience. If they come in late, they should have to deal with parking far away.”
Most students don’t want to walk a long way to class. But Mikolajczyk doesn’t sympathize. “I heard on the news that 60% of the nation is obese. People should be walking. It’s good exercise.”
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