P&C spaces (apologies)

[CanterThroughChaos]

I had a situation in the supermarket today that’s not sitting quite right with me. So DH and I tried to get a p&c space but as we approached a white van took the last space. It was annoying as two adults and no children were in the van, more of an eye roll moment than anything to be seriously worried about. So we parked in the main car park got our trolley and went into the store. As we were walking in the two van people were at the kiosk, we probably looked a bit cross when we clocked them as they had taken the P&C space but went on with what we were doing as although annoying and a contentious issue I wouldn’t dream of confronting anyone over it, absolutely not worth it. However as we continued one of the people confronted us and said they wanted us to know they are charity workers collecting food for under privileged families. We said ok my dh even said sorry if we judged you, anything to de escalate and get out of the situation. It did leave me a bit shook as I hate any confrontation. But thinking about it more I can’t make it make sense. There are suitable spaces within the main car park for loading, plenty with a path to access and apart from the P&C spaces the car park was very quiet, two fit adults should have managed fine, I can see that the P&C spaces may have been more convenient though. Another reason it’s not sitting right is that I have a disabled child with the type of autism that is not a super power. Who is non verbal and has no sense of danger in the car park, for us the spaces make shopping safer not more convenient. Our child’s disability was very obvious to these people as they need to sit in the trolley seat although they are much past the age this is expected and they need to wear ear defenders in the supermarket due to sensory processing difficulties. On reflection I’m feeling like this person quite forcefully virtue signalled to us and anyone in earshot when they were morally not in the right. Charity work is admirable however I’m not sure convenience trumps safety. Not to mention leave people alone ffs! So am I being unfair? Please be gentle as I know I’ve got a bit over sensitive about this 🙏

You were in the right, they were in the wrong whether or not they were charity workers.

They sound like tossers

For charity workers they showed v little charity

They confronted you because you glared/gave them evils then tried to run when called out.

This. Absolutely no reason for them to even engage with two random people unless they were provoked of some sort.

As you probably know, disabled/blue badge spaces are legally binding. P&C spaces are just courtesy/goodwill of the supermarket. You say you recommend a blue badge; I take it this was sarcasm?

FWIW, I have multiple sclerosis and a blue badge which was not easy to get.

Thank you, I think this might be what happened. ❤️

To be fair though, you need to fully open the door and lean in to do up the seat belt when you have a little child. Potentially if your child is fairly slim, leaning over her to do up the car seat, is in fact, easier than leaning over a little child in a chunky car seat. Doesn't really seem fair that you get to park in a parent and child space for that, but that a parent with a child who is in a bulky car seat, may then have to do the same thing in a regular space, because you have taken a parent and child space.

I think everyone has just had a bit of a bad day. They’ve taken the space, you and your husband have glared at them. They’ve got defensive and either told the truth or lied (doesn’t matter) about collecting for a charity. You don’t get defensive if you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong!

As for everyone else in the supermarket, they’re just generally rolling their eyes at you and wanting to get out before this actually escalates into something.