I generally try not to get too bent out of shape about parking. In the case above, it could that the extra space is needed in order for someone to get in and out of the space, and there wasn't a handicap space available at the time. Probably not, but you never know. This weekend, I was helping a friend move and intentionally took up 2 spots in order to unload the cab without damaging the truck or whoever was parked next to me.
I tend not too worry too much if I'm exactly in the lines when I know I'm only going to be there for a 5 minutes. it's not worth the effort, and I'm not putting anybody out. If longer, I'll take up a spot near the back to avoid dings if I can. Not two spaces, as parking away from everyone generally gets it done. Of course you can also avoid dings by avoid vehicles with kids and parking next to the passenger side of your neighbor, since there is always a driver but not always a passenger.
Another point worth noting is that in long term parking situations, it could be that a vehicle is forced to park outside the lines because other vehicles were already outside the lines. Airline parking lots are a good example. The worst I saw was in a dorm parking lot. By the end of the semester, the lines were completely irrelevant as no one was in the lines.
While we are talking about parking, what are people thoughts about using a person to block other vehicles from taking a spot in a crowded lot till you can get there? I was in this situation a couple months back. Some guy (I assume) has his wife and kids camp in a parking spot while he drove over there. I had been searching for a spot for 10 minutes already and was not going to accept that. After slowing inching in for a minute or so and some name calling on the her part, she finally gave up.
