Clive Prime with Jones Lang LaSalle in Tokyo points out that automated parking is common in Japan. And I know that this is true in Europe. In fact, Wohr Parking Systeme has built a fully automated 612-unit
garage in Istambul, Turkey. Amazing.

If self-service parking catches on, can self-service gas and groceries be far behind? Readers voiced conflicting thoughts on last year's Dispatches Will You Scan Your Own Groceries? (Dec 3) and Self-Service Causes Stress. Then It Doesn't. (Dec 11). As Gil Gordon points out, you wouldn't think that Oregon and New Jersey would share much in common. But both have outlawed self-service gas stations.

I was inspired by Steven Hufendick's self-service breakthrough in Minneapolis. After a long day in the office, Hufendick shopped late in the evening at his local home improvement store. The long checkout lines were filled with "guys in hunting jackets (we just had 8" of snow)." So he awkwardly started using a new self-scanning checkout station.

"Some guys are giving me and the scanner the subtle nod like there just might be some hope for both of us; others are thoroughly unimpressed." But he did it, and as he left the store, he noted that the cashier line had only moved "a person or two at the most." Will you scan in 2004?

--Peter Pike