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AIBU?

AIBU to expect people to respect parent & child car spaces?

184 replies

Holly129 · 18/06/2013 11:59

This is something that has bugged me for a long time. I am constantly seeing men in vans in parent and child spaces amongst others. I would never park in a disabled space or a parent and child space if my dc were not with me!

Today I waited for a space at the GPs and when the person left a clearly signposted parent and child space someone cut me up and sped into the space. She then got out WITHOUT A CHILD. I wound my window down and said excuse me, I was waiting for that space and you don't have a child with you. Did she have the decency to back down or apologise? No, she gave me a tirade of abuse! There should be passes or something for those spaces, (like the disabled ones) to fine people who don't use them correctly.

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Bumpotato · 18/06/2013 11:59

YABU

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Dahlen · 18/06/2013 12:00

YABU. Most people don't respect anything unless there are consequences to not doing so. But you're not wrong in wishing more people would respect them. Wink

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TantrumsAndBalloons · 18/06/2013 12:02

oh dear god almighty.

P and C parking spaces are not the same as disabled parking spaces.

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Bumpotato · 18/06/2013 12:02

It's only a parking space. Disabled people have an actual need of a wide/close space. Personally I think P&C spaces should be scrapped. or not, they do make for some good entitled threads

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minibmw2010 · 18/06/2013 12:03

It's possibly not unreasonable, but it's definitely unrealistic. You can't force people to do things if they aren't going to do it and Parent & Child spaces are not legally enforceable, they are just 'goodwill' spots by the people who own the carpark. They're not a given.

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TurnThatFrownUpsideDown · 18/06/2013 12:04

I don't think you can compare a disabled place to a parent and child space.

They are totally different.

I think that's why there's such angst about these privileged P&C places. So many people think they're the same as disabled spots.

Again, they are totally different.

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gordyslovesheep · 18/06/2013 12:04

Nice idea but people don't ...they aren't comparable with disabled spaces really ...and that woman may have been collecting a child ...although if you where indicating she was rude to take it

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decaffwithcream · 18/06/2013 12:04

Parent and child spaces have nothing to do with disabled spaces.

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livinginwonderland · 18/06/2013 12:05

YABU. You don't have a legal right to a P&C space. They're just there so businesses look family friendly. Anyone is allowed to park there should they want to.

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Fenton · 18/06/2013 12:06

Hi Holly, you must be new.

Welcome to MN Smile

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decaffwithcream · 18/06/2013 12:06

Although anyone cutting someone up and taking a space they are waiting for first is rude obviously.

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ChewingOnLifesGristle · 18/06/2013 12:06

They are nothing more than a courtesy and do not have any laws surrounding their use like disabled spaces, so yabu.

People do use them inconsiderately sometimes it's true, but honestly it's not worth getting steamed up about it.

Btw a disabled person can and should be using them if required as their need is greater.

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TurnThatFrownUpsideDown · 18/06/2013 12:07

To add, the sooner they get rid of such spaces the better, imo.

When my dd was little i either walked or used public transport with her as i don't drive. Try being bostled around on an overcrowded bus/train each week. I'd think it's far more annoying than having to park your car a little further from a supermarket.

All they do is cause aggression.

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OnTheNingNangNong · 18/06/2013 12:08

Of course having a child is the same as having a disability.
Hmm

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plainjaney · 18/06/2013 12:09

YABU over the P&C, as for cutting you up to get to the space, last person who did that to me I parked behind, locked up my car and went on my way Grin

He shouted me back, I told him I'd move when he was willing to vacate the space I was about to park in otherwise I was going in to the shop and would be a considerable time. I backed up, he moved. I took my space.
Tosser.

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LST · 18/06/2013 12:10

I aren't registered disabled but have a crippling disease and we ever need a c&p space when I have my child with me it pisses me off when I see people with out children using them.

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sparklesandbling · 18/06/2013 12:11

YABU regarding your comparison of disabled spaces being the same as parent and child spaces.

YANBU to expect those without children not to monopolise them when they do not have children or are not picking them up.

Next time u see someone pulling into one (p & C) consider that they may have a blue badge and all BB spaces taken up.

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HeySoulSister · 18/06/2013 12:13

men in vans might have dc with them too you know!!

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MatersMate · 18/06/2013 12:14

I think they should just rename them...wide bays. Then if you need more room you check there first, but you're not 'entitled' because you have children. Or don't as the case may be!

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Holly129 · 18/06/2013 12:24

plainjaney that is brilliant!

Obviously P & C spaces aren't the same as disabled spaces. The point is it's not right to use spaces allocated for other people. I have seen many abled people using disabled spaces too but at least (sometimes!) they get a fine!

I am mostly annoyed at the rudeness and complete lack of manners from this woman! Speeding and cutting someone up in a doctor's car park!

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sparklesandbling · 18/06/2013 12:25

I think P & C spaces should be done away with completely and there should be more disabled spaces, would save a lot of arguments and frustration.

Some people think they are entitled to these spaces and this is the problem.

Around Christmas time took DD out who has BB and surprise no BB spaces so went to reverse into p & C space. No other cars were waiting.

Another car decided (as I was reversing into space) that they should have it and because I was unwilling to have an accident I slowed to a stop (to avoid collision).
During this time he parked his car 3/4 of way into space.

My car was in space and out and parked 2 inches from passenger door. His partner had to climb over his seat to get out. I Think he was about to give me a mouthful when DD got out with helmet on and into mobility pushchair. (I had to pull her across 2 seats to get her out).

Needless to say I was a little pissed off.

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OnTheNingNangNong · 18/06/2013 12:28

Disabled spaces are covered by laws. Parent and child spaces are a luxury.

I'm going to use the old chestnut: everyone coped before we got lazy with all these P&C spaces.

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manicinsomniac · 18/06/2013 12:30

YANBU

They are called parent and child spaces. They are for parents who have children with them. It's not rocket science. I've been on mn for a couple of years and find the attitude to P and C spaces completey bizarre. Whether or not they are legally enforcable is irrelevant, lots of social norms and basic manners aren't law. If they're not meant for you have the common decency not to use them!

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Sparklingbrook · 18/06/2013 12:32

We don't have P&C spaces in my town. Solves all the problems.

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Holly129 · 18/06/2013 12:35

Well said manicinsomniac !!!

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