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

does she complain to you about P&C spaces being taken by people without kids ?

Didn’t catch that first post answering

What’s your point ?

No point

pure and unadulterated nosiness

and wondering why that’s why you are so impassioned by this issue

Totally agree. The point I was making was actually in support of your own, although looking it over, it doesn’t read that way - apologies. I would support BB users to park in P&C spaces rather than park over the line, because it’s difficult to demonstrate a clear need.

I wouldn’t say I was impassioned, just interested because it was something I dealt with directly for a long time and there’s a lot of misinformation on the thread.

One of those issues that I have never ever not once had any kind of chat about with any of all the mum friends I have and have had over 17 years of parenting, not with my sisters, colleagues who have children - no one.

But one would think from Mumsnet that it very very much is a preoccupation for some! It’s intriguing!

You honestly dealt with lot of incidences regarding P&C spaces as a benefits adviser?

I don't think you're being unreasonable - actually good on your for saying something, maybe they will think twice in the future that someone might actually approach them about their ignorance.
I have a baby and struggle not having a spaces available and yet I also see perfectly able bodied people get out the car. It makes me angry at the entitlement of these people. Sometimes I want to say something but I get anxious at the repercussions of it.

To be fair, I would assume someone elderly would need the space as much as you do. My mum is in her 70s and would initially appear to you as able bodied however she has MS and struggles to get out of the car unless the door is fully open. You got a space, they didn’t steal one from you. A load of drama out of nothing

People can care about the safety of children and the wellbeing of parents without having a vested interest.

I was a benefits adviser for a few years - worked for what is now DWP and then for a disability charity. From there moved on to Disability outreach. The two roles are distinctly different. As a benefits adviser I dealt with claims - mainly sickness and disability benefits applications and supported with appeals. As a disability outreach worker it was more community based practical support. It covered everything from arranging local leisure or social activities to helping connect people with health or care services, and a bit of everything in between.

is this walk from a non P&C space to the front door of supermarket really so terrifying?

Yes but you said you had dealt with this issue multiple times for clients. What issue? Clients getting ticket for packing in a P&C space? What have you dealt with relating to P&C spaces?

Generations before shopped locally, didn’t have to work, left prams outside shops. Didn’t have seat belts in the back let alone car seats.

Why do some people act like cunts and only think of themselves? OP was trying to keep the space free for another parent, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I’m flabbergasted tbh at all the grief she’s getting.

That's certainly not how I lived when my kids were small in the 90s. Worked full time, of course used supermarkets and had car seats.

Op declared herself parking police was rude to them then complained when they were rude back.

she knows nothing about these people and why they had parked there. It isn’t her job to control where others park.

p and c spaces are handy when one is free but they aren’t essential. Some people get some focused on them they make it into some sort of massive thing it really doesn’t need to be.

Why are you calling people 'cunts'?

God forbid a disabled person do what the law allows them to do. Complete shower of cunts them disableds.

There were parent and child spaces in the 90s

So in your world, whenever you see someone doing something they shouldn’t you just turn a blind eye. It’s no wonder the world is turning to shit, everyone is so selfish nowadays

The people she spoke to weren’t disabled and if they were, there were adequate disabled spaces free as she has mentioned several times

It’s unsafe for children.

You’ve already clarified that only care about yourself and your close family.

But, just imagine, how much nicer the world would be if you cared a little bit more about all children and everyone else.

The walk from the car to front door of a supermarket is “unsafe”? Heavens

I wonder how parents who don’t drive manage to get their children anywhere safely?

Out local supermarket has a bus stop right at the far end of the car park. Amazingly parent's managed to navigate it every day!