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…..)

If a car park is 70% full, most of the spare spaces are likely to be single spaces or double spaces, all next to another car. It’s not like most of the car park has cars all packed in with no spaces and the rest is free and empty.

And the OP’s car parked next to an empty parked car, not one where they spotted someone trying to get a child out of an awkward car seat. OP’s only fault was not mind reading that they should have parked their car next to someone else’s car, rather than grumpy man’s car.

Mumsnet is the only place where I have ever encountered the idea that it is inconsiderate to park next to another car if you don't have to. It seems to be the latest evolution of the furious threads about parent and child spaces. Those (unnecessary) spaces seem to have generated a culture in which having enough space to get an enormous buggy out of your (often enormous) car is a matter of social justice, like blue badges for people with disabilities.

The older couple were being daft. In charity, perhaps it's best to assume that they were stressed. Perhaps they hadn't yet been on many outings with the child and were stressy about manipulating whatever 10-position all-terrain child ambulatory tansportation system their grandson was enthroned in.

I