BERLIN — A town in southwest Germany has drawn accusations of sexism after designating two particularly tricky parking spaces "men only."
The mayor of the Black Forest town of Triberg says women would find it difficult to park there because drivers need to back in diagonally without hitting a pillar and a wall.
Gallus Strobel noted that 12 places in the 220-capacity car park are reserved for women. Many German cities designate a small number of parking spaces, usually near exits, for women concerned about their personal safety in poorly-lit garages.
Strobel told The Associated Press on Thursday that he had received overwhelmingly positive reactions from men who feel discriminated against by "women only" parking.
But the Triberg mayor says some "humorless people" had criticized the move.
I think it is stupid to reserve those 2 spots for men only. I am an adult, I can decide if my parking skills are good enough to park in a spot. I think it is thoughtful that they are well lit spots for women, but why not just make it so every space feels safe and well lit? I have worked at many restaurants that would not allow a women to leave work alone at night. Either two females had to leave at the same time or a male walked out the female.
I saw this on another site and if I remember correctly the mayor may have done it a little tongue in cheek to get publicity for his town. I found one. Here is some more from the piece:
The mayor told Focus the parking policy is, above all, a publicity stunt to draw tourists' attention to the idyllic town of Triberg.
"Our city spends about 50,000 euros every year for marketing, and the parking action may have cost us 50 euros," Strobel told Focus.
The mayor said the feedback has been mostly positive, adding that one man emailed him to say he would visit Triberg just so he could test his parking skills.
"Of course, there are also great women drivers!" Strobel added, according to TheLocal. "They are, of course, most welcome!"
Actually, I may do like some host I was listening to suggested. Go in the most feminine looking vehicle, decked out to the extreme and park in the male on parking spaces.
This is Germany, not the U.S. Rights are not the same there. I doubt the women there are getting their panties in a wad over it either.
Personally, I wouldn't get all upset over it. I would just chose not to frequent the establishment that created such a parking situation.
I'm a better driver & parker than my husband. But not because of gender, but because I grew up in the city and he in the country, so I have more experience parking in tight spots. He is better at driving in inclement weather road conditions, however.
