Ladies-only parking lots have sprouted up in some malls and hotels. These lots are painted pink and reserved for lady drivers only. They’re usually designated near lift lobbies and building entrances.
The thoughts behind these ladies-only lots are well intended. Some were allocated out of safety concerns, especially in carparks that may be quiet or poorly lit. Others were out of empathy for ladies in high heels, or simply as a gesture to pamper their female patrons, like in the case of one hotel spa. I am no feminist, and even if I risk coming across as ungrateful, still I must protest. Instead of feeling privileged, I’m inclined to think that many women may end up being embarrassed by these “special” parking spaces. I also worry that such privileges may cause unnecessary resentment towards women motorists.
I fully understand if men see red over these pink lots. Why should we ladies enjoy such entitlements? In our defence, most of us ladies didn’t request for these reserved lots, so blame us not. If this “damsel in distress behind the wheel” signal is what we women are sending out in carparks and on the roads, allow me to offer our apologies and set the record straight – we are not handicapped, and we do not need rescuing.
As a lady driver, I do not need any preferential treatment from male drivers. All I ask is to be treated as an equal, rather than be subjected to the condescending and chauvinistic assumption that we are pushovers who are kayu and slow.