I Prefer Looking for Myself

“Don’t you use the rearview camera?” My husband and mother often ask me when I’m parking. When parking the Panamera, I really don’t look at the camera very often. Instead, I usually check the side mirrors and rearview mirror.

I don’t trust machines! You can’t beat looking for yourself!

That’s what I used to say, but the truth was I simply wasn’t used to looking at the camera.

The other day, I took my daughter to the dentist, but every space in the clinic’s parking lot was taken, so I had to park at a nearby pay lot.

It’s so tight. I’d rather not park here.

But our appointment time was getting close, and parking at the convenience store across the street wasn’t an option. I usually make it a rule never to take the Panamera to a tight parking lot, but this time I had no choice.

There was just one open space at the coin-operated lot near the dentist, but it was narrow, with very little room to maneuver in front. I watched the rearview camera as I backed up as far as I could, then pulled forward to turn the wheel, checked the camera again to make sure I had enough clearance, and—

…
…

Wait, I’m using the rearview camera! (╯°□°）╯

The reason I don’t usually use the rearview camera is simple: I haven’t been parking in tight spaces where I need to rely on it. I usually park in roomy spots with plenty of space on either side, so I just haven’t needed it.

“Turns out the rearview camera is incredibly useful.” That’s what I’ve realized lately. (I wonder if a 360-degree camera would be even more useful.)