The Medeiros Theory

When I was 18 I took my drivers education course during my March break. It was the best deal for the price I was willing to pay in the whole city. My logic was: at the end of the day we are all given a license that entitles us to drive. So, why not pay 300 dollars less to do so?

My plan worked flawlessly and before I knew it I was completing my ten practice lessons with my driving instructor Shiu. Together Shiu and I practiced stopping, turning, parallel parking, one-ways, two-ways, sideways, highways, and any other way you can think of.

After all my training I was ready to take the test to get my license. AND… after some confusion behind the words “light it up!” and “hold up!” I was awarded with my G1.

I had finally found my freedom. But, there was a problem… Looking back on all the practice I had done with Shiu I feel as if there was something missing. Something that all instructors should consider in future instruction: the art of finding a parking spot.

This is where the Medeiros Theory comes into play.

I was driving with a friend around the local Wal-Mart parking lot in North Bay when we pulled in and just our luck, it was full. While I was thinking all hope was lost my friend said, “It’s time to put the Medeiros Theory to the test”.

My family is Portuguese and I actually have an Aunt and Uncle with the last name Medeiros and so you can imagine that I was slightly intrigued when I first heard about the theory.

The general idea is:

a. Most people don’t have a problem parking in a far spot and walking a minute or two to the door. They figure, “Hey! I found a spot. Why waste the time looking when I can just walk the distance?”

b. When you enter a parking lot. Your vision automatically picks out a spot closest to where you are. Since we almost always enter at the back of a parking lot, we pick out a spot we can see from our entrance point.

Medeiros theory says: Drive right to the front.

Think about it. When was the last time you thought “I am going to drive right up and get a parking spot”. Exactly! You haven’t and neither have 90% of the other people who are parking. It just doesn’t make sense, right?

Wrong! It makes perfect sense. If everyone is making the parking sacrifice then they are filling up spaces at the back. So, when people who enter the parking lot see all the spots filled they think the lot is full and decide to park at the first spot they see, which is also in the back. Still following? Good. That means, under the Medeiros Theory, there should hopefully be a spot near the front of where you are parking.

Now there are no guarantees, but what’s the harm in putting it to the test? You might just find the Medeiros Theory works for you. Just try not to think of my Aunt and Uncle while you do it...