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 should have started to film their behaviour, their preventing you from leaving etc. Then reported them to the police.

You did nothing wrong by calling them out for using the space, I do the same.

There was no need for their aggressive bullying behaviour, it was a massive overreaction on their part.

Shame on the people blaming an angry man's behaviour on OP.

And sorry, I can't help it, but you're supposed to reverse into spaces so you can drive forward out, it does say this in the highway code, and some insurers will not cover you if there is an accident whilst you are reversing out of a space.

I would never use a disabled car parking space, even if was pissing down and there were no other spaces available.

I would try not to use a parent and child space if I didn't have a child with me but if it was pissing down, or there were no other spaces, then I would.

If the OP had started poking for a row, then she would have got one, as happened in this case.

Id be fine for someone to do this to my car. There's cameras and I have a few minor scratches I could poss get sorted at the same time courtesy of their insurance 😃 all for the price of a few mins time getting a crime reference number 👍

They obviously shouldn’t have parked there, but I wouldn’t have got into it with them, especially with a baby with me. It’s just not worth it. You won’t change anyone’s thinking, if anything it’ll embed it further.

Once they were walking away I’d definitely have left it there.

I mean the man’s arguments are nonsense - what is “dancing around” meant to mean?
Why should it be “first come first served” - whilst it’s not enforceable, supermarkets have decided it is a good idea to help parents with small children in this way.
And its definitely not illegal to take photos of other people’s property!

Unfortunately, these days if you get into it with people they can become quite aggressive so I would leave it alone.

I realised after something similar at the weekend it doesn’t make you feel any better to retaliate. The traffic outside my house is horrendous with people beeping day and night. I was reversing into my driveway on Saturday. I had to stop in the road as there were cars parked at the side. Immediately this prick starts beeping me. This happens a lot but this time was one too many. Anyway I stopped to yell at him telling him to F off get a life and stop picking on people. Did it make me feel better. Absolutely not and all it did was earn me another beep off a woman behind him. People are pricks and I guess the best thing to do is ignore them and carry on. Choose peace.

and this!

That was a very silly thing for you to do, especially with your baby there! Why deliberately provoke a confrontation and then try to carry it on when your first comment was all that was needed? They had heard you, so why not just drive off?

They were arses too, but you really can't tell how able bodied they are from just a quick look. Not all disabilities are visible and blue badge holders do have a case for using parent and child spaces if all disabled bays are in use.

Perhaps not as black and white as you thought.

I have used these spaces before when I had an ankle injury, and when my partner had a back issue. Honestly people need to stop being so precious.

I parked in a parent and child space last week. I don't have children. I did have my disabled MIL with me who has a blue badge. She has dementia and was getting distressed because she urgently needed to use a toilet. It was the nearest space to the door. I would never park in one of these spaced if I did not need to

You do not know anyone else's circumstances and it is not for you to police

I think an elderly person who needs more space to get out of the car easily is actually someone who is allowed to use those spaces. Stop sticking your oar in peoples business tbh.

They were wrong to block you in but you caused the agro needlessly.

How many old places do you see in supermarkets ? Not all old people qualify for a blue badge but do not find walking easy.
Do the supermarkets have special places for old people ? No. Why not ?
Because they buy less. A Swiss roll and some tea, a few bits and bobs. Not a full trolley load. You don’t think the supermarkets have parent and baby slots because they believe you should have them ? They have them because they know you will more than often fill up a trolley. Ands spend more.

Having moaned at old people who park in a parent and child slot I hope you equally moan at the ones who have very capable teenagers that get out of the car. Yes, perhaps children. But not really what is envisaged.

When you are older and have aches and pains, perhaps a heart condition but don’t qualify for a blue badge you might want to park nearer the front of the supermarket. Remember it when you age.

People like you are the ones making it impossible for the police to do their proper job . . . they need to catch criminals not arbitrate over poor behaviour.

Edited to add sorry, responded to the wrong post.

They were elderly ... they likely DID need it as much as OP.

He obviously means he doesn’t want to have to drive round and round waiting for a space to open. Thats what he means by dancing around. Hes saying it should be first come first serve because only the P+C spaces were empty meaning parents were able to park right up but nobody else who had been there ages could.

Don’t confront people, you never know who is unhinged, especially when you have a baby

I totally agree.

I'm guessing you've never done that to young childless people who park there? You thought you'd get an easy dig in trying to intimidate an older couple but they gave back as good as they got.
There's no way I'd be pulling up people in their 70s for using a parent and child spot, they probably need it more than me. I've managed getting mine out of a car seat in a normal spot when needed.

Unless you like the thrill of a row with a stranger I’d advise minding your own business.

I’d have kept taking pictures of them blocking you and your car and intimidating you.

You didn’t do anything wrong or illegal.

until they started harassing you they hadn’t done anything wrong either. P&C spaces are just courtesies.

But their subsequent behaviour was horrible and they sound like a couple of nasty pieces

Very stupid of you to escalate it the way you did when you had a baby in the car. You just don't know how far some people will go when riled up. You had already made your point just move on. Parent and child spaces are a courtesy not a right, get a grip!

Next time if you really really need to address it go back to the customer service desk and report it (doubt very much they will do anything)

Please, not all 70 year olds are decrepit!
Yes she was in the wrong. I would have waited until they left and written a message on their windscreen in lipstick!

What did you think would happen? That they’d realise the error of their ways, apologise and promise to never do it again? If you pick a fight with a stranger, you’ll usually get one and it’s really not worth the stress. Mind your own business and let people get on with it.

I've read this exact scenario on here at least twice before right down to the elderly man blocking the OP from leaving.
If this did actually happen you started the altercation and seem surprised that it escalated 🤷‍♀️

Sorry but don't give it out if you can't take it.

Your average 70-ish year old is not so immobile they can't walk across a car park. My parents and DH's go on walking holidays together and they are all over 70. My dad plays 4 rounds of golf a week, on foot. MiL is still working as a nurse in a large hospital. These particular people may well have needed the space but it's not a blanket excuse for anyone born before 1956.