You Can't Go Shopping With a Car

One thing necessary about shopping is the journey to the destination. Of course, there are many ways to get to a place that we want to get to, like walking there, cycling there, taking the train, taking a bus or taking a taxi. And one of the most fulfiling method is driving your own car, where you can almost be free of the tussle of squeezing into a crowded and smelly train cart or bus, or having to stand listlessly till your legs get sore and numb, and you can shop endlessly as you know you have the ability to carry all the shopping bags home.

But who am I kidding? Once we take into account the ERP road charges, the "surely got" traffic jams, the carpark charges, the carpark spaces and the petrol cost, having a car can become a nightmare when you want to go shopping for stuff. Just last Sunday, I was just watching some weekend movie flick at home when my parents got back from "shopping" (or rather more, getting groceries and snacks from IMM at Jurong East.) The funny thing was that they were gone like for about TWO and A HALF HOURS, and they were like empty handed with frustrated expressions on their faces.

Then I asked them:"I thought you went shopping? How come never buy anything?"

Apparently, they didn't even shop at all. In fact, they were actually STUCK in the carpark, trying to inch their way out of a neverending "mini traffic jam" in the carpark. And they spent TWO and a HALF HOURS, just trying to get out of that traffic mess. And $2. And petrol.

And so the morale of the story is that CAR PARKS are BAD NEWS. And I think most people know that, that's why they will either just take public transport or get a two way car service from your closed ones when going shopping. Perhaps until the time when car parks get much more efficient (like they ever will), GOING SHOPPING WITH A CAR IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE with the exceptions of good samaritans or taxi drivers.

And we haven't talked about the traffic jams yet...

	What is your greatest problem when going to shop in Singapore with a private car?
Too many traffic jams!!! I can't even get to the mall I want! Finding a carpark and getting to it before someone gets there. Carpark Fees are too Expensive. I can't find my way to the shopping mall I want to go to. I GET LOST! Bad Road Behaviour by Pedestrians and other Car Users. I don't have a car. No problems at all.
Thank You