Yes, Dan, It’s for real

Reader Dan is concerned about this article, in USA Today.

It says that a shopping mall in a provincial capital in China is opening a parking lot, solely for women. It will have wider spaces, more lighting, female parking guides and "Cute cartoon pictures" just for women. The local mall says that insurance data (Chinese, I believe) shows that women cause 50% more finder benders and other accidents in garages than do their male counterparts.

I have seen parking spaces reserved for pregnant women and women with a herd of small children and think that if the mall or store wants to attract these shoppers, more power to them. If the ease of parking close in helps a soon to be mom or a mom with lots of little ones, and entices them to shop there, what a great marketing plan.

I will say, however, that having entire garages for women should set the NOW folks on fire. Are the Chinese admitting that women don't drive as well as men? I would think that this approach should be done at one's peril.

JVH

Comments

[j]

Are their data weighted to take into account the percentage of mall parkers that are women? If a high percentage of those who park there are female, it wouldnt be surprising that women also have more accidents.

Also: "Are the Chinese admitting that women don't drive as well as men?" You don't really mean "admitting," do you? Maybe "implying," "claiming," or "alleging"?

[jvh]

The above post proves my last graph. However I'm not certain that having garages more well lit, with wider spaces and with a larger turning radius on each isle, and folks directing traffic at peak times is a bad idea, gender aside.
If you have ever tried to park in a typical European or Asian parking structure built in the last 30 years you will find that you enter at your peril. They are dark, dirty, and tiny.
jvh