America, we often hear, is a deeply divided country. To our ideological divisions, allow me to add one of the vehicular kind: people who pull into a parking space vs. those who back in. For decades, there were generally agreed-upon standards and norms around parking. You entered a lot, saw an open spot and pulled in, like everyone else. But in the past few years, it seems to me, something has changed. Perhaps you’ve noticed it at the supermarket or drugstore. Amid all the cars that are parked headfirst, a seemingly increasing number have instead been backed in. These dissenters face out, like getaway drivers in a bank robbery. Some people, me included, find the move annoying. William Van...
