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Called a "c*nt" in front of his kid over a P&C spot...

378 replies

SorryIParkedWrong · 15/06/2025 07:30

Hi all,
Need a sanity check on an interaction I had yesterday that's still bothering me.
I used a Parent & Child spot yesterday at a quiet retail park. I know, technically wrong, but I was doing a massive haul for a house move and needed the boot space, and loads of other P&C spots were free so I wasn't leaving anyone without.
The issue happened when I got back to my car after shopping. I was in the driver's seat, engine on, and was just about to reverse out and leave.
A car pulled into the P&C space next to me. A woman got out with her young child and. She came right up to my window, which was cracked open, and said in a really aggressive tone, "You shouldn't be parked there."
Not wanting any drama or to explain my point to an emotionally enraged individual, I just said, "Ok," and put the car fully in reverse to leave. That's when she and the dad who appeared completely kicked off. Standing right by my car door, she launched into an absolute tirade.
She was shouting all sorts - "cunt," "fucking little shit," "look at your shit car," "fucking shit driving." All while her own young child stood there watching the whole thing.
I briefly stopped reversing, said through the window "I hope you have a lovely rest of your day," and then started to move again. She and her husband just kept going with the abuse, so I stopped the car again because I was just in disbelief. I looked at her and started laughing at the sheer absurdity and the level of her rage.
I know I shouldn't have used the spot. But AIBU to think her reaction was completely unhinged? Does my minor error give someone the right to hurl that level of personal, nasty abuse at a stranger, especially in front of their own child?
It honestly felt like she was just projecting all her life's problems onto me over a parking space. What do you think?

OP posts:
Chiseltip · 15/06/2025 11:19

P&C spaces are a courtesy, they are not law, they aren't disabled spaces. Just u der half of all adults in the UK are parents, almost half the customers of that store would likely have children with them. In contrast, less then five percent of drivers have a disabled badge. Parking in a discretionary P&C space is not comparable to parking in a Disabled space.

There would never be enough P&C spaces available for every parent. And of those that are available, who "should" use them?

A mother with two toddlers who is popping in for some treats and a browse in the clothing Isle?

A mother with a baby, who is popping in to meet her sister for a quick lunch in the supermarket cafe?

A divorced Father who is going to take his six year old to get some new shoes before handing the child over to their mother in the carpark?

Two parents who go shopping with their baby, the Mother realises she needs to pick something up from a shop at the other end of the High Street, so she goes back to her car and leaves her child with their father as it's easier to go alone than take the child out of the store again?

A mother who is looking after a young child, emergency child care for her sister, both agree to meet at the retail park as it's half way between both houses?

A Mother, who is waiting in the car alone, while her husband takes their child to get some new clothes?

When you see an adult alone in a car that is parked in a P&C space, you have no idea what the situation is. You should keep your nose out of other people's business.

OP, those spaces are just there out of politeness, you can park there whenever you want. Being a parent is a choice, being disabled isn't.

Iceandfire92 · 15/06/2025 11:17

P&C spaces are not enforceable. Their behaviour was uncivilised and low-class. There were many free spaces and were not impacted whatsoever by OP taking the space. They lost any point that they may have had by behaving in a belligerent manner and swearing in front of their child.

Pollntyme · 15/06/2025 11:15

Megifer · 15/06/2025 11:12

She was suggesting op shop online if op has an issue with parking.

I suggested she could also shop online if she has an issue with parking.

Agreed. I don’t drive and shop online mostly as I hate carrying shopping, but it seems a bit much for someone who presumably doesn’t want to shop online to be asked do so because they parked in a p&c bay when there were plenty other p&c spaces open.

I think if anything that couple would be better shopping online. I can imagine they’re easily angered by many other things too, and clearly have a lack of self control so won’t be afraid to show it. Can you imagine accidentally banging your trolley into theirs lol or parking too close to their car or something.

Redpeach · 15/06/2025 11:15

You're both not giving a fuck how your actions affect others

Rosscameasdoody · 15/06/2025 11:15

SirRaymondClench · 15/06/2025 11:09

So because some people are selfish you should be too?

If you want to interpret it that way then yes. If parents aren’t prepared to use them in the manner intended, why should they expect anyone else to ? I hold the same view of people who park in disabled bays and display the blue badge when the disabled person isn’t leaving the car. And to be honest, I think the example the couple set their kids by challenging OP in that way is far worse than any parking infringement.

Rosscameasdoody · 15/06/2025 11:12

SENSummer · 15/06/2025 10:27

No it’s not.

Car parks in shopping centres are privately owned land. They sign post use of disabled/p&c bays as part of their ‘terms of use’ which and also clearly sign posted within the car park and you are agreeing to by parking your vehicle there. They lay out their expectations along the lines of ‘please leave these spaces free for guests who…’ so which not legally binding it’s very morally clear that they expect this in much the same way that queuing systems in shops aren’t legally binding but they are morally expected to be followed.

Disabled bays are legally protected. If a private car park concession offers them, then they do so under the same terms as if the space was in a public place - you can’t park there without a valid blue badge otherwise it will attract a fine. Likewise P&C spaces are treated in the same way. And as they are concessions and not legally protected, technically anyone can park in them without attracting a fine.

Megifer · 15/06/2025 11:12

SirRaymondClench · 15/06/2025 10:43

Why should she stay at home when other people who shouldn't be parking in those spots can just, I don't know, maybe not park there?
Maybe those shoppers should stay at home...or walk.

She was suggesting op shop online if op has an issue with parking.

I suggested she could also shop online if she has an issue with parking.

Fernhurst · 15/06/2025 11:11

They sound unhinged. The people justifying it will be people who behave like that in front of their own kids so don't understand the problem

SirRaymondClench · 15/06/2025 11:09

Rosscameasdoody · 15/06/2025 11:06

P&C spaces aren’t legally enforceable - they’re a concession, so not as entitled as parking in a disabled bay without a badge, for example. And having seen more than my fair share of the hypocrisy of parents rocking up into a P&C space then leaving the child sitting in the car while they go about their business, I can’t really muster much enthusiasm. No OP shouldn’t have parked there, but neither should she be expected to put up with such outlandish behaviour, especially in front of children. And if this couple weren’t there when OP originally parked, how on earth were they to know she wasn’t dropping off a child ?

So because some people are selfish you should be too?

SirRaymondClench · 15/06/2025 11:08

GuevarasBeret · 15/06/2025 10:59

Well, I haven’t known him his whole life, and he isn’t without good qualities- but let’s just say he has a spiky profile.

I have just noticed the OP’s name change and am laughing at it. Also, the number of people who are so so outraged and over invested in something so small. I think teaching your child that their reaction is normal/acceptable is much much worse.
In her position I would have said to the child, “this won’t help you now, but when you become a teenager take comfort in knowing that your parents are mental.”

One of the key attributes of behaving like an adult is being able to cope with life’s minor vicissitudes. Someone parking against the rules is a minor thing. If you can’t cope with it, and it degenerates into this, then frankly the problem is you.

Or maybe what's going wrong in the world is the self absorbed, entitled, elbows-out attitude people take when they decide that their needs and wants trump someone else's.
And I'd really have to question the nature of someone who goes out of their way to take the space designated to make the life of someone else a little easier.

Because that's selfish beyond belief.
I hope one day your FIL isn't disabled in some way and needs a Disabled spot, only to find some selfish cunt has parked their Range in it, needlessly.

heroinechic · 15/06/2025 11:08

Whether the space is provided as a courtesy or not, it’s been provided for people who meet specific criteria. If people choose to park there without meeting the criteria, they are the ones with a misplaced sense of entitlement.

Plenty of things are morally wrong without being legally wrong. There’s nothing to legally prevent non-disabled people using disabled toilets, but anyone that does so without good reason (I.e baby change being in there) is an asshole. It’s perfectly legal for your husband to shag his colleague, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

If you go through life breaching social etiquettes, you will (on occasion) face a tirade of abuse. It’s par for the course.

Cheesetoastiees · 15/06/2025 11:08

Meh they sound deranged but hopefully it’ll teach you to stop using parent and child spaces. They’re so helpful for parents with young children and I’d never even have considered it an option before having children.

I’m sick of seeing people with no children or older teenagers using them. No sympathy here. You didn’t need to use the space.

Gloriia · 15/06/2025 11:07

HunnyPot · 15/06/2025 11:01

If you don’t want to be called one, don’t behave like one 🤷‍♀️

How very hard your life must be if someone parking in p&c space is to be labelled a cunt. How do you cope with serious trials snd tribulations? You must need to lie down in a darkened room with smelling salts every single day. Try to unclench a bit is my advice.

Lmnop22 · 15/06/2025 11:07

Author of your own misfortune - you parked selfishly and, although I have never called anyone a c**t for parking in one of those spaces, I’ve certainly thought that about them when I see them swanning back to their car with their shopping whilst I’m trying to get a car seat in to mine through the boot with a baby in it 😡

You also clearly egged the situation on with your reaction. Say sorry, drive on. Stopping twice to say/do aggravating things to people already angry and shouting abuse will only escalate the situation and you knew that.

You’re a dick, they’re dicks, ESH

Rosscameasdoody · 15/06/2025 11:06

P&C spaces aren’t legally enforceable - they’re a concession, so not as entitled as parking in a disabled bay without a badge, for example. And having seen more than my fair share of the hypocrisy of parents rocking up into a P&C space then leaving the child sitting in the car while they go about their business, I can’t really muster much enthusiasm. No OP shouldn’t have parked there, but neither should she be expected to put up with such outlandish behaviour, especially in front of children. And if this couple weren’t there when OP originally parked, how on earth were they to know she wasn’t dropping off a child ?

Branleuse · 15/06/2025 11:06

parent and child spaces are something nice provided by the store to encourage parents. They arent legally protected, and it doesnt give anyone the right to insult or admonish you.
Youve had an abusive interaction with a horrible family, and it shook you up.
you cant make sense of it because it was so disproportionate to the "crime"

I hope you are ok now

HunnyPot · 15/06/2025 11:05

GuevarasBeret · 15/06/2025 11:04

Sure, you sad sanctimonious dickhead.

You know me well madam

GuevarasBeret · 15/06/2025 11:04

HunnyPot · 15/06/2025 11:01

If you don’t want to be called one, don’t behave like one 🤷‍♀️

Sure, you sad sanctimonious dickhead.

sugarapplelane · 15/06/2025 11:02

You were willfully stubborn parking where you did. You knew what you were doing, but did it anyway. So inconsiderate is the word.
However, the couple sound deranged! I probably would have said something to you, and you would probably have just smiled at me and told me to fuck off, but they were another level.
I had a similar altercation at the NEC in Birmingham after a concert. A BMW driver thought my DH got too close to his car leaving the car park. There was plenty of room-he was just being a dick and obviously spoiling for a fight. His wife got out the car and started shouting and swearing at us so I just laughed at her because her behaviour was off the charts. She didn’t like that but I just shrugged my shoulders, told her she needed help for anger management, locked my door and my DH drove off.
They were idiots, but you need to be a bit more considerate of where you park as you don’t know how many people will need those empty spots after you go into the shops

HunnyPot · 15/06/2025 11:01

If you don’t want to be called one, don’t behave like one 🤷‍♀️

Dangermoo · 15/06/2025 11:00

cecinestpasunepipe · 15/06/2025 10:31

I refused to.let a car cut in infront of me at a roundabout that was almost at a standstill. The driver of the car, who also had a child with him (not in a child seat, bouncing around in the back) yelled at me that he was going to find out where I lived and trash my car. He also shouted that I was a prostitute and had a "smelly fanny". I laughed out loud, but inside I was shaking, and took a circuitous route home with my eye on the rear view mirror. I am in my seventies!

Aren't some men wankers.

GuevarasBeret · 15/06/2025 10:59

SirRaymondClench · 15/06/2025 10:45

Has your FIL always been a selfish twat or was it a more recent thing?

Well, I haven’t known him his whole life, and he isn’t without good qualities- but let’s just say he has a spiky profile.

I have just noticed the OP’s name change and am laughing at it. Also, the number of people who are so so outraged and over invested in something so small. I think teaching your child that their reaction is normal/acceptable is much much worse.
In her position I would have said to the child, “this won’t help you now, but when you become a teenager take comfort in knowing that your parents are mental.”

One of the key attributes of behaving like an adult is being able to cope with life’s minor vicissitudes. Someone parking against the rules is a minor thing. If you can’t cope with it, and it degenerates into this, then frankly the problem is you.

WestwardHo1 · 15/06/2025 10:59

No one entitled to P&C parking spots.

Before cars got so ridiculously fucking massive, people managed ok. Just get on with it

WestwardHo1 · 15/06/2025 10:57

SirRaymondClench · 15/06/2025 10:39

To be honest OP I think they were right.

You're not just a cunt for parking in a P&C spot, you're a lazy, selfish cunt for doing so.
Those spots are there to make the lives of parents a little easier, not just to save your legs.

You think it's ok to behave like that?

Naked aggression, foul language, loss of self control....in front of a small kid? What kind of adult is that child going to become?

Jesus Christ, I despair.

daisydotss · 15/06/2025 10:56

Nowthatstwice · 15/06/2025 10:48

...and then the world ends?

Then as per the OP, it contradicts the loads of spaces available, not leaving someone without argument…

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