AIBU to think this car park reaction was OTT?

[Wherehas2023gone]

We were parking today in a large car park in a touristy market town. Car park probably about 70% full. DH reversed into a space next to one other car, parked nicely within the lines and plenty of room to open the doors.
A man (probably early 70s) starts walking towards our car from the ticket machine, staring at our car, shaking his head and muttering under his breath. He then got into his car, still muttering, and moved his car to the next space along. Off I went to get the ticket. While at the machine there was a lady with, I assume, her grandson, in the buggy. Car man then came and joined them and said ‘I can’t believe there are no child spaces in this car park and then some numpty decided to park next to me….’

When I got back to the car DH said the man had looked at him and shouted ‘where’s wally? I’ve got kids to get into the car’. DH just remained silent.

Is it me or is it batshit to get angry about someone parking next to you in a public car park?

(We were meeting my parents so I made sure they parked between us and car man, petty maybe, but still…..)

Was there other spaces available? Dud you do the thing were there's a half empty car park, but you parked next to him?

Lots of cars parked next to each other, as I said 70% full.

I understand his annoyance but it's just one of those things in a car park. The other day I forward parked in a space with an empty space to my right, anticipating a nice, easy exit from my vehicle by being able to open my door wide. Before I'd even switched my engine off, a large campervan eased itself in from the row opposite, leaving about 18 inches (45cm-ish in new money) for me to get out. I know that it was in the lines of the space but it still made me utter a defeated little sigh before clambering out.

I'd be disappointed in your DH for not standing up to the twat.

Obviously YANBU.

How rude!

This is the issue with P and C spaces, it makes some daft people think it’s impossible to park without them. I guess we should just be grateful he didn’t just park over two spaces!

Thing is they were out of the car when we parked (getting the ticket). It was a long stay car park in a tourist town, so the likelihood of the space remaining empty would have been virtually zero anyway.

Old guy is a nutter.

I was quite proud he didn’t. I did feel sorry for the man’s poor wife, if he got so worked up by someone parking a car, goodness know what he must be like to live with.

He was an idiot. I think most of us have managed to get our kids in and out of the car in a normal parking space over the years.

Obviously I don't mean he should punch him, but if someone was insulting me directly to my DH I would expect him to tell the rude twat to fuck off.

It is weird when there are plenty of spaces though and someone parks right next to you. I was at Jolleys where there was loads of parking, probably 80% free. Someone parked so close I couldn't get the passenger door open enough to get the dog in, then a camper van parked in the space directly behind, but across the way, and was sticking so far out I had to swing out the other way and turn round to get out. I cannot for the life of me understand why either vehicle parked where they did when there were so many easier options!

It seems he maybe has that condition called grumpy old man syndrome. In my experience it turns men, who were perfectly rational, into irrational, moany older men. It's one of life's mysteries 😆

Well done to your DH for not rising to it 👏

I suppose if they are looking after GCs they might not be as used to wrangling them in and out of the car as people who are still parents of young kids. Doesn't excuse his reaction of course, he was the wally, but just trying to be charitable and assuming that being in charge of the GC might still feel like a big deal if they aren't used to it.

Weird enough to get so angry and throw strange insults? Most cars were parked next to another car.. DH also noticed there were a lot of campers, so I expect some of his thinking was better to park next to a normal car than have less space if a camper parked next to us.

So he was pissed off, had a moan and you did nothing. Later on pops to mumsnet for the obvious grumpy old people comments to make you feel better.

So just for that YABU. Next time don’t park next to another car when the car park is nearly a third empty. Or do and expect someone to be a bit miffed with you. I would be.

Hilarious, if a car park is a third empty then there is statistically no way that every car has a spare space either side! Actually unless the car park had only 3 spaces, or spaces in rows of 3 (I’d be interested if anyone had any other examples of when this would be the case)

You asked AIBU. I said yes. Sorry you didn’t like the one person who disagreed. Go back to those who think you were right.

Like I said, I’d roll my eyes and we’d probably be ffs at each other if this happened in-front of us. Even better we’re in our fourties! So it’s not an age thing.

I thought the same as this. Obviously his behaviour is not excusable, but i know that my DM and DF would struggle getting my DDs in and out of their car seats, because they never need to do it without me. Hope it didn't spoil your day, OP!

You’re probably right, maybe just missing a bit of logical thought. He was actually still parked when we left, so our parking wouldn’t have impacted him at all!

If I'm reading the OP correctly, the man insulted the DH directly to his face, not the OP. The OP wasn't even there at the time.

The DH reacted correctly. There's nothing to be gained from getting into a row with idiots. Stare right at them, watch them wind themselves up, don't react, revel in your calmness.

That makes no sense though - by that she'd be U to park next to anyone so as soon as any car park is 50% full it's actually full? How was the OP to know they had little ones in the car so unless OP has straddled a line or parked way over, she's done nothing wrong surely.

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Different folks etc. I think some people need to have a car to help them park. I park my car, when I can at the end and at the back.
If there were other spaces and someone pulled up next to me I’d be a little peeved. I wouldn’t be rude apart from in my head.

Im not alone in this and it’s certainly not for people 70 plus. They just may say it rather than think it!

If the car park was 20ish% full yes I'd agree but the OP says the car park was around 70% full so in this instance its more likely you ended up with a parking neighbour for no weird reason other than the luck of the draw. Just the lottery of life that day so not really any need to be rude even in your head.