Re parking fine

[whatstheanswer3848]

Recently my friend and I visited a car park of an establishment which is time limited. We were in the establishment (eg spent money there) and she has 2 young children. Towards the end of the limit both her children needed changing and the youngest was sick so needed sorting therefore she went over the limit (she arrived before me)

She has got the fine now and the ticket but has no money to pay it - I feel bad and guilty cause I asked her to meet me there (it was my suggestion)

She had spoken to the establishment itself and they said it's nothing to do with them and to contact the Parking people which she did but with no luck.

Should I offer to pay half? I feel responsible.

I wouldn't say you were at fault, this could have happened to her anywhere without you being there.
It's a shame that this has happened, time limits are not easy to stick to with children.

Personally, if the friend was a good friend and I knew she didn't have the money, I would offer to pay. Majority of the time the person will refuse but will be grateful for the offer. Then i would offer half, and say I don't mind and explain I felt like I was at least partially to blame.
If she is a good friend she would accept and offer to pay you back at a later date (usually fines get more expensive if not paid within a certain time frame), or she would be very grateful but not accept it.
Either way she will be very grateful of the help or the thought. If you are not leaving yourself without by offering I would say offer something, just to be a good friend.

It's not your fault though? It shit and it happens, but in no way your fault. Maybe she could have got you to put more money in the meter to save this happening?

It’s not your fault that she went over the time limit of her ticket. Presumably she knew what time her ticket expired and failed to either extend it or leave in plenty of time. I wouldn’t pay.

Was it McDonald’s?

I did mention it when we got to about 20 mins before the time ran out.... it's just unlucky that we were unable to leave straight away... wasn't a McDonalds but was a food place with a restricted car park.

I guess I feel bad cause I asked her to meet me there, and then a mixture of her being early/me being a few mins late meant she was there longer

To clarify - it's a time frame car park - so you can only park there (for example) for 2 hours then no return within 3 hours etc etc

You're not responsible for your friend, you didn't make her overstay her parking. You even reminded her. If she pays it quickly usually it's less (e.g. £30 instead of £60?). You could say you'll help her out with fine by £10 for e.g. but you really wouldn't be expected to.