Who’s being unreasonable? Parking related

[FanjoFizz]

I got to my DS’s school early because of the rain and I knew parking would be a bloody nightmare. It’s on a busy main road and I usually park quite far away and walk up but it’s torrential here.

I’ve parked as shown on the diagram. There is generally room 2 maybe 3 small cars.

I was parked up and browsing mumsnet when I hear shouting and aggressive beeping. A woman is gesticulating at me furiously so I wound the window down and she was shouting at me to reverse back so she could squeeze in between me and the other car.

I reversed back as much as I can (about 18inches) at which point my sensors are beeping furiously and I can see the bollards very close to my car in the parking camera display.
These bollards actually say “Think! Parking here could endanger a child’s life!” You’re not supposed to park right up to them, they’re there to ensure visibility for people crossing the road.

I tell her I can’t go back any further without hitting the bollard and parking dangerously. I was around 6-12inches from them at this stage.

She started getting really aggressive and saying I have to move back then she can park and I can move forward again.

I said no because I’ll have to reverse out across the gate again when I’m leaving which is when all the kids will be coming out of it and it’ll be really busy. And I don’t want to potentially put anyone in danger. I collect my son 10 mins early from the preschool so I can get to my DD’s school on time, so I would definitely have been leaving earlier than her and would have had to reverse out.

She proceeded to be rude so I said “you’re being rude, your car won’t fit in the space, find another one” and wound my window back up.

She attempted to park with what looked liked 150 mini manoeuvres, eventually parking half hanging out on the road because the car didn’t fit.

As I was getting my son in the car someone else commented to her that she was parked dangerously at which point she pointed aggressively at me and said “Well I wouldn’t have if she had let me into the space. Sensitive cow”.

I was and again called her rude and left.

WIBU to not move?

I don’t really see why I should have to struggle to get out of a space I got there in plenty of time to get?

...because we all have to rub along together, especially as you and this woman will likely have to see each other fairly frequently while your DCs are at the same school?

There's not much in it as to who WBU in this scenario tbh, but in my world, this definitely wouldn't be the hill I chose to die on.

Be nice, budge up a bit in future.

Problem is when it rains it brings out the idiot parking at school because they all get there ridiculously early in order to stop their children melting in the rain.

but that's fine, they are perfectly reasonable and entitled to do so, it's their time they are wasting.

The issue is people parking badly and dangerously. No one is an idiot for arriving early enough to secure a parking space. They could stay in their car from drop off time if they wanted to.

You have the same choice, arrive early or walk.

The other woman was completely in the wrong because she arrived too late and try to squeeze in.

I do wonder what working hours a lot of the school parents have at our school. Most are sat in the prized spots by 2pm for the 3:15pm kick out. Must be nice to have the working hours of what 9:30-1:30pm.

She wbu, just ignore in future op.

@CatOnASwing

Don't be ridiculous, there's being considerate and there's enabling obnoxious people to behave like twats. If you're doing a 20 point turn in a busy road full of school children then you've parked too bloody close.

Like PP I don't care if people spend all day in their cars sat outside school as long as they're parked safely and don't leave their engines running. I sometimes get their early because it's on my way from work and I'd rather sit outside the school reading my book in the car than drive 10 minutes home and 10 minutes back again.

Why didn't you park where you normally do and use an umbrella?

Why should she?!? To make life easier for Gobby McCuntface?

as long as they're parked safely and don't leave their engines running.
oh yes, that too!

Because she was being rude to begin with and wasn't asking nicely, I wouldn't have moved for her either.

However, if you know the space accommodates 3 cars usually, you should have parked to allow an additional car to park without needing to ask you.

So on balance, I think YABU for not parking with consideration for others

if you know the space accommodates 3 cars usually

It accommodates three small cars. There was already a large 4x4 there.

However, if you know the space accommodates 3 cars usually

3 SMALL cars. It doesn't sound like the OP selfishly parked across two spaces at all!

However, if you know the space accommodates 3 cars usually, you should have parked to allow an additional car to park without needing to ask you.

the OP did, she stoped at the bollard.

It's not her problem is some cars are bigger than others. She parked at the end, if a pick up truck can't squeeze where a hatchback normally fits, it has nothing to do with her.

So on balance, I think YABU for not parking with consideration for others

Are those pesky children considered "others"

You know the ones who have to navigate crossing roads or getting out their own school gates and at risk of not being seen in the mirrors of these massive 4X4s as they have to do these 20 point turns out of too small spaces.

Or are they acceptable collaterol damage to ensure entitled gobby dickheads dont have to walk a few feet? Nice environment for the kids isnt it. Shrieking at peope in the street just because they got there first.

You were there first. You were parked both legally and considerately. The rain is completely beside the point.

She was rude and aggressive and you were DNBU to call her out on it. I can't abide gobby rude people and would probably have been a lot less measured than you when dealing with her!

Yanbu op .
But no wonder there’s so many wet lettuces on mn when someone says
“You were rude to comment back” really,ffs, so the op has just to sit there with no right to reply. Ok then

Next time get out of your car and in a loud voice whist waving your arms around like demeted windmils tell her that;

Jesus loves you and she should rejoice greatly!"

At this point she'll think your a deraged loon and drive off rapidly and its true that Jesus loves her 'cos no other bugger on gods good earth wanted to or does!..

@myDHhasahobbyanditsnotcycling
This is collection time, therefore after work. How could I leave work earlier?

I tell her I can’t go back any further without hitting the bollard and parking dangerously. I was around 6-12inches from them at this stage.

You could have gone 6-10 inches further back, surely.

Anyway I wasn’t even at work today, I left earlier and got an good parking space as a result

You could have gone 6-10 inches further back, surely
No. You’re supposed to leave a bit of space between your car and the bollards.
Also 6-12 inches still wouldn’t be enough

Says who?

How much space?

@MoreSlidingDoors the sign on the bollard.
It says “Think, parking here can endanger a child’s life. Leave room for visibility of the road”
They’re those yellow fold out ones, like a wet floor sign