Altercation in carpark

[Icecreamsundaz]

I was in a supermarket carpark, I had put my baby in her carseat and had just loaded my groceries in the boot. A car parked in the parent and child space next to me and an older couple got out, early 70s I would guess, able bodied, no kids with them
I said "sorry do you realise thats s parent and child space" and I pointed to the markings.
Well his response was very rude in tone "I came here to do my shopping, not to dance around" ?? "It should be first come first served " and they stormed off. I was a bit taken aback, I said loudly but they were a bit away at this point so not sure if they heard me "god id hate to be so ignorant". I took a picture of their car. Not really sure what I was going to do with it, thinking I would think about it and perhaps report to management. I got into my car
The next he was at my window "you took a photo, its illeageal to take photos of other people's property, delete it." I ensured my doors were locked, he stood behind my car so I couldn't reverse out, she was at my windscreen taking photos of me. Eventually they moved and I got out.
Maybe I shouldn't have said anything but there were loads of other places they could have parked but the parent and child spaces are limited. Its very frustrating when I've all my kids and can't find a free parent and child space because people like this who dont need them take them and they don't give a shit

You decided to confront them and then carry it on after they walked away, despite having a baby with you which is pretty stupid. Not sure what you want from this thread really. Your behaviour wasn’t better than theirs.

But you clearly could find space on this occasion. Not sure what was the point of confronting them other than to create a bit of drama.

In this situation the most helpful thing for you to do would be drive away and free up a parking space. If someone gets to 70 behaving like that an angry exchange in a car park isn't going to change them.

Report to management? The supermarket manager? The security guard? Your teacher? Those spaces are a market ploy and bring out the worst in everyone. More trouble than worth.

They were obviously in the wrong for parking thrre, but you should have controlled yourself and just driven away. You are not a parking warden.

Sounds like you wanted a row and got one 🤷‍♂️

They’re early 70s, I wouldn’t have said anything.

My mum is early 70s, she needs to have the car door fully open before she can get out.

If all the P&C bays are full, just head to the back of the car park where there are lots of bays, it’s no biggie.

You and your kids are much more mobile than them if you don’t have disabilities.

sorry do you realise thats s parent and child space

was more than enough.
If they don't give a shit in the first place, what exactly did you expect anyway?
Taking a photo and trying to start a row when you are with your own baby is ridiculous.

I have RA and my knees, in particular, are very painful. I can walk so can't have a bb. But need tge car door wide open to get out. It makes shopping and parking very difficult.

What did you think you were going to achieve? People who are disrespectful enough to park in a space not for them are highly unlikely to take well to a stranger pointing it out. I keep my nose firmly out of other people’s parking choices.

Everyone’s a cunt these days

None of your business.

You got a space. You don't know how able bodied they were and you harassed them once you'd made your point. Daft behaviour on your part.

Maybe they shouldn’t have parked there, but they survived shopping with their own kids, back in the day when those spaces didn’t exist. They’re probably got mobility issues and they’re wondering why an able bodied person should be parked there.

Plenty of older people with mobility issues that don’t yet qualify for a blue badge. At my local shops these spots are for parents and the elderly.

Asking if they realise, shots fired, maybe they didn’t know. Saying more and taking a photo? You poked the bear and found out how it reacted. Not your most clever moment, especially with a child with you.

I use them when I have my mum with me and would have just said "yes" and not engaged with you any further, so at least you got the reaction you clearly wanted from them 🤷‍♀️

It’s annoying, but p&c spaces are a perk, not a right. No one actually polices them.

I’m not above the odd scowl, but equally some people probably scowl at me because my youngest is 9 and I still use them.

You got the argument you created, really.

You were right - they are just arseholes

Someone in their seventies may well need the space near the entrance more than you do.

“Illegal to take pictures of other people’s property” call The Police … as it most certainly is not.

People who use them and don’t need them are selfish, you’ll not get much sympathy on here though, it’s wall to wall entitlement.

Parent and child spaces are a courtesy not a legal right. Someone who could really do with a disabled space but doesn't have a badge yet is well within their right to use it. And you can't TELL who is in that situation, so surely you just don't say anything?

What does she need sympathy for exactly? She didn’t struggle to get a parking space

A relative has FM - can walk perfectly well, in fact goes on many walking holidays a year.

She has a blue badge 🤷‍♀️

Some people have no shame. Just ding their car next time 🤣

I wish they would put the P&C a bit further away from the door (given their appeal is the width for loading children in and out of car seats) and then they would be far less appealing to the average CF.

Stop trying to police the supermarket car park. You and they were behaving strangely