Epic car park standoff stuns onlookers: 'Grandma is not giving up'

Small spaces can become unexpected battlegrounds of ego and etiquette in specific everyday settings.

Unspoken norms occasionally unravel, giving way to encounters that are as puzzling as they are amusing.

One such incident recently unfolded in an Australian location, involving a tense standoff that quickly gained widespread attention.


The scene was set when an older woman in a blue Mazda and a younger woman in a black RAV4 ended up nose-to-nose in a parking aisle.

The older driver was stopped in her tracks by the RAV4, which had taken a wrong turn down a one-way lane.

Despite the clear signage, neither driver seemed willing to reverse and relinquish their ground, leading to a stalemate that caught the attention of onlookers and, thanks to a quick-thinking bystander with a camera, the internet at large.


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Standoff between two women caught in South Australian carpark. Credit: @Shitboxlab / TikTok


The video, which has now attracted over half a million views, shows the two drivers engaged in a fierce stare-off, neither willing to back down.

The man filming the encounter provides a running commentary, noting that 'Grandma is not giving up.'

The footage ends without a resolution, leaving viewers to speculate who was in the right and who eventually conceded.


The debate that erupted online was as intense as the standoff itself.

Some argued that while the younger driver may have made an honest mistake by driving the wrong way, the older driver in the blue Mazda made a simple maneuver around the RAV4.

Others staunchly defended the Mazda driver's position, citing the importance of following traffic rules and not rewarding the RAV4's error.

This incident raises an important question for all of us, especially those of us who have been driving for decades and have seen the standards of road etiquette evolve:

Are we too quick to defend our positions in the name of being right, or should we be more willing to show kindness and understanding even when others make mistakes?

As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we know that with age comes wisdom and a responsibility to lead by example.


It's worth considering whether, in situations like these, the best course of action might be to take the high road (or, in this case, the correct lane) and defuse the situation with grace.

Moreover, this viral moment reminds all drivers to stay vigilant and aware of car park signage.

One-way lanes are designed to streamline traffic and prevent accidents, and ignoring them can lead to confusion and conflict.

It's essential to watch for and abide by these signs, even when the carpark is busy and you're in a rush.

Whether you're the driver who made a wrong turn or the one who's been wronged, handling the situation can set the tone for everyone else on the road.
Key Takeaways

  • Viral footage captures a standoff between two women in a South Australian carpark.
  • The confrontation began when a younger woman in a black RAV4 drove the wrong way down a lane, facing an older woman in a blue Mazda who refused to move.
  • The social media video of the encounter has attracted over 500,000 views, with many viewers debating who was at fault in the carpark face-off.
  • While some viewers felt the woman in the blue Mazda should have just moved around the RAV4, others argued that the RAV4 driver was in the wrong for driving the wrong way down a one-way lane.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? How did you handle it? Share your stories and insights in the comments below, and let's navigate the tricky world of car park etiquette together.
 
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We constantly observe bad driving & behaviour in car parks which is totally annoying but in this particular instance I think that I would have driven around the other vehicle. Sometimes it simply isn’t worth the hassle. It’s a matter of picking your battles. Not all terrible car parks behaviour is down to young people either, unfortunately it’s often our age group driving like entitled people. I do hate to admit it but watching some aged people drive has horrified me, especially when trying to park at medical clinics.
 
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Just to clarify a couple of things about 'car parks'... I will speak about the Laws that related to NSW first..Firstly a car park is a 'public place when open to the public upon consideration ie: payment or granted by the owner. When closed, it reverts to being a private area..In 1990, the Aust. Road Rules, came into effect, which is an Act that is common in ALL STATES. Sections/Regulations within the Act are now the same in all States. When I first joined 'the job', I attended quite a few 'prangs etc.' in public car parks and if the attending Officer could identify the person/vehicle at fault we could issue a breech notice or on the spot fine. No matter who 'owns the car-park', if it is open to the public it is a public area. Signs, line marking, directional arrows are regulated by the local Councils, they must confirm to the 'Signage Act' the type and size, and are enforceable. What I have notice 'generally is' a lot of drivers have forgotten that the vehicle reversing out of parking space does 'not have the right of way'' it must be done safely at all times. You may be thinking that you are doing the person waiting a courtesy however, if a vehicle hits you from the blind spot, you are at fault. Some Councils, in NSW publish the rules and conditions relating to the use of their car-park and include a 'warning that the States road rules apply.' Also, the issuing of fines, can be done in private car-parks when the issuing Authority has been given written permission by the owner/operator of the car-park. I will mention that the fines are not 'always enforcable by law,' without going into detail, check what the signage says, I will only comment that fines issued by Police are enforable. Sorry folks...have a great day.
 
Older people are more forgiving in general when it comes to situations like this, but I can understand why some of them begin to arc up when confronted by what seemingly appears to be members of the 'entitled' generation. I don't blame the old girl from standing her ground and attempting to make a point, because if the oldies keep giving in to these 'entitled' persons, laws that govern us will gradularly give way to the bully element among us.
You know, I think because they can see that we might be vulnerable, we are also a convenient target, good on the grandmother , but it could been dangerous for her.
 
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I wonder if it is a Council owned carpark?
The only laws that pertains to a Council carpark is related to disability parking regulations and speeding (where a speed limit is signposted).

There is no documented legal requirement for a vehicle to travel in the direction of carpark arrows.

Here is the link to the Western Australia Local Government Model By-laws (Parking Facilities) No. 19. Remember, they are "Model By-laws" and technically not enforceable by legislation. Even our local council' City of Melville Parking Local Law 2023 has no reference to directional arrows being legally enforceable.


 
I had the same situation when I was leaving a car park via a one-way lane and a young guy tried to drive in the opposite direction, as a shortcut.

I stopped and indicated to him to back out so that I could pass.

After a short standoff, he moved and I left. He wasn't happy. Tough titties!

....................................................

Also, I have this funny joke video of a granny pulling a hand gun and chasing off a group of guys who were trying to steal her car. Only to discover later that it wasn't actually her car. It was just similar in appearance. Poor guys!
 
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It can’t be seen,but I wonder if the RAV4 could back up? Maybe there was a car behind her and she was stuck? Just a thought. And if that was the case,then granny was being a dick. If not,the the RAV4 driver was the dick.
 
I was coming out of my driveway, turning up, cars parked across the road, had to manoeuvre slightly, 4WD, came up the hill & commenced using her horn, so decided she could now wait & got out of car & asked her where her manners were, it would have only taken a couple of seconds on my part to get out of her way. But find drivers in 4WD's are apt to think they are superior & thus arrogant. I find watching traffic, most drivers are respectful.
 
You took the words right out of my mouth! Standing your ground is NOT being aggressive... giving in for the sake of peace, is enabling!
They will simply continue doing it if they continue getting away!
It's a copout, just because it's the easy way out, doesn't mean it's a better choice.
Laws are there for a reason.
WTG Grandma!
I`m glad grandma
You took the words right out of my mouth! Standing your ground is NOT being aggressive... giving in for the sake of peace, is enabling!
They will simply continue doing it if they continue getting away!
It's a copout, just because it's the easy way out, doesn't mean it's a better choice.
Laws are there for a reason.
WTG Grandma!
We don`t know how it ended, did she or did she not get the car to move. I would not like to get into one of these situations because, although it is not fair, I have noticed that some young woment are full of rage, they don`t mind a bit of violence and seem to loose it , whether it`s because of drugs or just very agressive. I would not stand a chance if a woman or a man were aggressive towards me, they could have weapons who knows what, it`s not worth it. I did have an experience where 2 young women became aggessive with me in the drive thru at McDonald`s (no reason they even tailgated my car on the way home). I stopped the car and called the Police. I had the number plate and gave details, did not hear back, but at least a report was made.
 
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Yes that would be irritating but not worth making such an incident about it. However there are many entitled young smarties who will have a stand off. This type of arrogance annoys me because I was brought up to respect those who are older and presumably wiser!! Not worth escalating violence.
 
Yes that would be irritating but not worth making such an incident about it. However there are many entitled young smarties who will have a stand off. This type of arrogance annoys me because I was brought up to respect those who are older and presumably wiser!! Not worth escalating violence.
I have encountered numerous pompous self entitled pea knuckled relics who think their shit doesn't stink.

9 to 90, male, female or transexual, you will cop my wrath where it is warranted.
 
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