Peak P&C space rage!

[beepthemeep]

Argh. Just whipped DD up to the shops to get some nibbles for our guests who are arriving shortly. The spaces at this particular Waitrose are very tight and I'm very pregnant, so did need a P&C spot.

There was one left, so I headed for it. But nooo - some tool in a wannabe sports car zoomed the wrong way up the one way bit and parked in it (badly). Door opened and a young couple got out. No baby. No child. I assume no disabilities as there were several empty disabled spaces even nearer the shop.

I had to get DD out at the side of the car park and then park, as there was just no way I could do it in a normal space. The worst thing was, as I was struggling to do so, I saw them heading off... THEY WEREN'T EVEN GOING INTO FUCKING WAITROSE!!!!!

Am I wrong to wish the plague of a thousand traffic wardens upon their heads?

Surely if all the P&C spaces were taken, you'd be in the same position?

Not all disablities are visible and not all disabilities qualify for a blue badge.

I'd be pretty pissed too. There was a car in my Asda the other day with a girl of about 15 in, and the dad got out to shop and left her in there. It was still parked there with her in 20 minutes later when I came out.

Why did they park at Waitrose but not go into Waitrose? That's a bit odd.

I feel your pain OP. It annoys me when people on MN assume that we only want P&C spaces because they're closer to the store. I'd still want the space if it was at the end of the car park because I need the extra room on the sides to get out and get DS out. It infuriates me when childless people park there!

So selfish of them OP

It is not a legal right. If you have those spaces park there. Else park somewhere else. Don't rant so much. Breathe and let it go.

They are almost certainly very selfish and you’re right to feel cross.

They were fucking selfish.

Yes it's not a legal right, but people should be considerate if one and other. In the real world outside MN it's clear they didn't have a disability.

And going down the one way bit to beat you the space is cheeky as fuck. If they weren't going to Waitrose I hope they get a ticket for using the car park against the terms and conditions j.e. using that shop.

You'll get some deliberately obtuse answers on her though OP.

My DM was annoyed when someone with a blue badge took the last non disabled parking space (there was a empty disabled space that they could have parked in) next to it.

You parked, you shopped. Don’t get wound up about it and enjoy your day.

Not worth the angst.

Why did they park at Waitrose but not go into Waitrose? That's a bit odd.

Our Waitrose is right in the town centre. I often park there but go to other shops first, then do my Waitrose shopping last.

Could they have been doing the same?

Why did they park at Waitrose but not go into Waitrose? That's a bit odd.

Perhaps they were going to another shop first, and coming back to do a shop in Waitrose afterwards? Still a bit cheeky to go the wrong way to get to the space first though.

Yes, depends on the Waitrose I guess. My nearest doesn't have it's own car park but a council one because it's in the centre of town-Pay and Display.

The next nearest has nothing else about and the car park is owned by Waitrose with a 2 hour limit and a parking attendant.

Parking at the latter and not going in the shop would be most odd, the first one not at at all.

As the OP expressed surprise that they didn't go in the shop I assumed it was more the second sort.

@blackteasplease it's attitudes like that which make my life hard. People see an under 40 person in a bay and think 'no disability'. Some get very aggressive with me for it despite my wheelchair being in the boot.

YANBU - despite the "possible invisible disability" post, it's more than likely that they're just a pair of selfish wankers. Plenty of them about.

Jon Richardson used to do a radio show on 6 (I think). He read out an incident one about this. Some man pulled into a P&C space and refused to move when asked so the listener had parked to block him in. He’d only gone inside for cigarettes. She informed security and Customer Service and visited the cafe feeding her baby and then took a leisurely shop. On paying for her shopping security and the manager accompanied her out to her car where presumably cigarette man was waiting and had been for over an hour. I’m with you OP. Traffic wardens, clampers and a pick up truck are more than deserved.

The bloke going in for cigarettes was an arse but the woman blocking him in was also an arse in that scenario Mylow.

Why not leave your DD at home?

No need for space angst then?

LondonHereICome what the one she is cooking? lol

london - OP is very pregnant. It's hard to get out of a car in a 'normal space when you are feeling huge.
One time when I was pg, my car was blocked in on both sides and there was no way I could get into it. I had to ask a skinny passer-by to squeeze in with my key and reverse my car far enough for me to get in.

Not all disablities are visible and not all disabilities qualify for a blue badge

^ this

@Myl0w the woman was a bigger knob than the cigarette man in that scenario.

I really can't get myself worked up about this though. It's a non-issue that's been done to death on here and there will be no unanimous agreement.

FWIW I would rather see all spaces made bigger so that all people who feel they can't park sufficiently in a 'regular' space have the extra space they need. No need for any ridiculous drama over P&C spaces.