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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Standing in a parking space....

51 replies

TantrumsAndBalloons · 22/02/2013 13:49

I may be totally irrational about this. But that is because where I live there's no off street parking. There's 2 restaurants at the end of the road, a shop, and a garage so it generally takes a LONG time to find somewhere to park.
I knew this when I moved in. I have lived there for 4 years and although its a bit aggravating at times, I can live with it.

However.... Last night I turned into my street and saw a parking space right outside my house
This is very rare. It's like a tiny little miracle.

There was a person standing in the space. So I rolled down my window and very politely asked them to move so I could park.

She said "no I am saving the space for my husband"

So I asked her where her husband was and she said that was 5 minutes away but he asked to find a space because she was meeting him for dinner and the table was booked for 7pm.

Really???? 5 minutes away? And you are standing in a space, stopping people from parking?

WIBU to say, actually I don't care. I live on the street. Your DH is 5 minutes away and you cannot "hold a parking space?

Because that's what I did. And she refused to move. Then her DH came along and I explained to him why his wife was screaming at me and he said "don't worry we will find another space"

Do people actually think its ok to do this?
Am I missing something, is it ok to stand in a parking space for 10 minutes??

OP posts:
IncognitoIsMyFavouriteWord · 22/02/2013 13:51

Er no its not. do you need a permit to park on your street?

DontmindifIdo · 22/02/2013 13:52

I would have creeped as closely as I could to her (thereby blockingthe space anyway) and sat with my hand on the horn until she moved

Sugarice · 22/02/2013 13:52

No it bloody isn't on to stand there like a lemon.

She was a loon and clearly barking, was she proper arsey?

KirstyJC · 22/02/2013 13:54

I had someone try this with me once. I reversed at her very, very slowly until she finally realised that I was going to continue and moved out of the space and let me park.

She wandered off up the road a bit and I was strangely gratified to see her a few moments later having another argument with another driver too!

Don't worry about it, she is being out of order.

TwoPoundCharityShopShoes · 22/02/2013 13:54

Ha ha ha! What a mad bat... Her not you!

edam · 22/02/2013 13:56

Madder than a box of frogs where each one has a diagnosis from a psychiatrist...

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 22/02/2013 13:56

Very arsey. Screaming "im holding the fucking space for my husband, find somewhere else to fucking park you ignorant bitch, cant you see me?"

yep, I can see and hear you. I am not moving though Grin

OP posts:
EllenParsons · 22/02/2013 13:56

Yanbu, she is being ridiculous

wonkylegs · 22/02/2013 13:57

What a weirdo, the only exception to this might be if you are waiting for an ambulance although tbh they'd just stop in the street if it was an emergency or saving a space for an imminent removals lorry (as it's much harder to move furniture if you can only get a space a few streets away I know as we were once faced with this scenario)

Sugarice · 22/02/2013 13:58

Grin she sounds charming, were any net curtains twitching or did you have bystanders?

badtemperedaldbitch · 22/02/2013 13:58

i'd have parked there anyway... inching forward till she moved

Sirzy · 22/02/2013 14:00

I agree with those who would have slowly driven into the space until she moved. Silly woman

ELR · 22/02/2013 14:00

The thing is its so unbelievable you can't put into words how annoying it must have been you did we'll not to ram her down!!

diddl · 22/02/2013 14:00

That´s entitled, isn´t it?

I´ve stood in a space in a car park before -but would always move if another driver got there before the person I was "saving" it for.

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 22/02/2013 14:01

Exactly, you can stand there if you really have to but FFS you cant stop another driver parking there if they get there first. Its ridiculous.

OP posts:
DSM · 22/02/2013 14:06

Wait - she swore twice and called you an ignorant bitch after you politely asked her to move?

Really? Hmm

She sounds completely unhinged, and to be honest, I would consider calling the police as she either has some extreme anger issues or mental health issues. That is wildly abnormal behaviour.

BambieO · 22/02/2013 14:07

But what's the point of standing there is you intend to move anyway if someone comes along? You might be putting someone off who isn't feeling brave enough to ask you to move when they genuinely need the space?

Surely it's first come first serve? In a vehicle that is not on foot? It's not a standing space.

BambieO · 22/02/2013 14:07

If not is slopes away

SocialClimber · 22/02/2013 14:09

"I would have creeped as closely as I could to her (thereby blocking the space anyway) and sat with my hand on the horn until she moved"

Love this. Totally batshit crazy but I would do this.

BehindLockNumberNine · 22/02/2013 14:10

Crikey! At least her dh was more reasonable. He must have been embarrased by her?

Insane behaviour (her, not you)

BambieO · 22/02/2013 14:11

I agree, would definitely have tried the horn trick! Some people are utterly bizarre, good on you OP for not backing down!

SocialClimber · 22/02/2013 14:11

I have never heard of the or seen it with my own eyes. If I did I would look at them like this: Confused then do the horn thing.

Original poster
TantrumsAndBalloons · 22/02/2013 14:14

He seemed very embarrassed, he couldnt get away quick enough.

I just dont understand why anyone would think its ok.

The family who live down the street also have a very annoying habit of saving spaces, when her DH goes to work in the morning, she parks her car in the middle of 2 spaces, so no one can park either side.

All day. Until he gets home at 8pm

DH always knocks on the door if theres no space and asks her to move her car, but she always makes a fuss, oh im saving it for dh at 8pm, theres no where to park then.

well yes but it is 2.30pm and theres nowhere to park NOW

OP posts:
NoelHeadbands · 22/02/2013 14:15

I've seen people standing in parking spaces, it tends to be a Xmas shopping phenomenon round here. Bonkers.

lottiegarbanzo · 22/02/2013 14:20

I can imagine doing this for a removal van or really heavy delivery. That is all.