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

Iam your worse nightmare, I park in mother and baby if I like,I havnt got any children, no one has ever complained to me,but if they did I'd say, 'I pay road tax like you,and youre no more entitled to that space'
I firstly used them as I had a 2 door car,the doors were wide,and in normal spaces I could barely get out the car let alone open it without touching the next door car.

I have to say I am surprised at the responses you have gotten. People using parent parking spaces is a massive bug of mine. It’s also the rude response that would have gotten me cross too, if there’s a genuine reason why do people who park in them (without a child) always get so defensive? It’s not a crime to take a picture in a public place. I think they sound more intimidating than you!

There is a point of view from people like yourself - either disabled yourself or supporting a family member, or god forbid, a child, who is. And it puts the petty squabbling of the type we see here to shame.

OP confronted them, they responded and walked away, OP called after them rudely calling them ignorant and taking pictures of their car, she literally wanted an argument. So they responded, that is OPs fault. She got what she wanted. They walked away and she carried it on, why shouldn’t they be rude back?

What a horrible response.

She said invisible.

My niece has physical disabilities that are not immediately visible as her disability and equipment is concealed under her clothing.

What? They don’t say parent and child OR elderly.

If you expect people to make concessions for you, I think it’s only fair to be prepared to explain the situation. For example, if you were unable to stand in a long queue, would you simply make your way to the front and expect everyone to accept it, or would you explain your circumstances and hope that people were understanding?

I think it’s the same here. Those spaces are intended for parents and children, so it’s understandable that someone might question their use. As this thread shows, there are plenty of circumstances where other people may genuinely need them too, but that doesn’t necessarily make it unfair for someone to ask about it.

You were right.

and it’s perfectly legal to photograph someone’s car.

OP you are getting an unduly harsh time here IMO. This is why we can’t have nice stuff - cause everyone takes the piss and ruins a perfectly reasonable initiative. Then blame the people who try to ensure it works. It ticks me off too. If I see it and am feeling particularly cheesed off (usually a young fit single bloke) my MO is to approach them, look concerned and ask if I can help them as they must be really worried. When they look confused I add ‘to help you look for your missing child of course, when did you last see them? They can’t have got far as you have only just parked up’. They get the point and usually swear at me. I hope it makes them think twice next time. I certainly feel better.

Unless you have a physical disability then just park away from the door where there will be plenty of places and nobody will park next to you. Problem solved. Other people with kids manage it just fine.

This.

So you act in a passive aggressive manner to strangers? They must think you are unwell.

So basically you’re parking there because you don’t want your wankish car to get dented. At least you’re honest 😂😂

People with conditions who are a flight risk are entitled to a BB.

People who have conditions that cause severe psychological distress.

People with a stomach who need to urgently get to the loo for example are entitled to have a blue badge. My friend has one because she’s got a stoma after a transplant.

another friend had one before they died of bowel cancer.

It doesn’t always work though. I’m a wheelchair user and have tried to do this when disabled spaces aren’t available. There is always some arsehole who, despite a slew of free spaces, has decided to park so close to me that it’s impossible to access the drivers’ door. A lone car in a deserted part of the car park is almost like a magnet to some people !!

You obviously have a lot of time on your hands to bother with this type of passive aggressive nonsense.

I am legally entitled to reasonable adjustments on the grounds of my disabilities. Nowhere does it say I have to tell some self-appointed warden what they are. (Although they are now obvious).

it’s none of their business.

It was reasonable to point it out, but you should have left it there rather than shouting after them and taking photographs. It's for the supermarket to manage the use of P&C spaces, and you had a space yourself so you were being a bit of a busybody by taking pictures.

Ah the old getting your phone out and taking a picture of their car.
This is everyone's answer to anything nowadays.

Passive aggressive shite and still doesn’t change the fact that you are wrong in challenging. For what feels like the millionth time P&C spaces are a concession and not legally enforceable. No wonder they swear at you.

In that case display your blue badge and no further explanation needed.

This.

People can have no dofficuwalking a few steps, but great difficulty getting in and out of a car. They may require someone to help them, which takes more room than between cars in regular spaces. You were all being unreasonable. You had a space. Mind your own business.

You must have a lot of time on your hands, to be wasting it, in such a manner.