often when you arrive you have a very recent "command" of other vehicles in the area and you are backing into a space between "assessed" stationary vehicles (nobody in them, no doors about to open, not running, no reverse lights) so it's "safer" to control the spot in traffic with your presence (assuming you are not causing a traffic jam with your incompetence) and safely back into your spot.
much safer to nose out when you have to. At my work I'm often parked in between pickups and SUV's and you just can't see getting out, seems marginally better to do it going fwd.
the Z is ez to whip into a spot, but my other driver is a Megacab, you are lucky if you can back in in on one or two stabs in a tight lot. pulling straight in, forget it.
I'm also a boating gearhead and have been blessed with owning a few go fasts in my life. You are considered the master of your domain when you competently back it into a slip, a newb or incompetent when you nose in. Same for cruisers. Maybe theology subconsciously carries over.
I really don't care what the guys on gold 24's are doing as long as it's not threatening harm to anyone
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2009 silver sport, 6MT touring and nav, 8700 miles when I got it, "almost" a daily driver now... bone stock aside from tint and Gemini CBE, PC'd Rays black stardust and running 275/295 DWS rubber