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

P&C for ma PFB…

If you need help getting out of the car then you probably would qualify for a bb.

I actually have broached young people before, its not an age thing, these people had a small car, they were well able to walk over to the trolleys and walk quite quickly back to photograph me and block me in! They had no mobility issues very fit and agile!

I recommend holding a child's hand, keeping them in the baby seat, or keeping them in the trolley seat until ready to get in the car. Its not a good idea to let them run around anywhere, let alone where there are cars.

Would you have approached a man that was much bigger than you?

Or selfish maybe.

I did not want a row, I said it to them very politely initially, he could have just said sorry I didn't realise but he was really rude to me, and it was the rudeness and the ignorance that annoyed me

Nope, my mum doesn't qualify despite needing help getting in and out and not being able to walk unaided on her bad days so the p&c spots are a godsend for us.

Im in the minority but you did the right thing. Call them out, and report them. These people don't like being challenged and their reactions tell you everything you need to know. Well done

And when you have 3 young kids, and 2 hands how do you manage?? Carparks are so dangerous for young kids thats why they are near the shop

I also get enraged when people without kids use the parent spaces. Imagine the abuse you would get if you used a disabled space you weren't entitled to?

I never understand why people say that.

I am a woman, I am much more likely to have a go at a "big burly man" because they are VERY unlikely to ever touch me (there's always an exception, I know)

rather than a crazy woman who is more likely to try to get physical or in my face. I can defend myself, but I really don't want to start having street fights 😂

Men are so much safer.

Thank you. The way the carpark is designed though in that particular space I wouldn't have been able to load my boot too easily if I had reversed in

That is a different issue, altogether.

Well, you did start it and they finished it 🤷‍♀️

Out of all the people who use P&C and Blue Badge bays, OP finds an elderly couple in their 70s to pick on.

Go figure.

Lots of people in the comments who are as bad as that selfish couple.

However you manage now I guess given the risk doesnt go away just because there is sometimes a cross hatching marking to walk on.

I have RA, full knee replacement almost a year ago, I can walk, but not like my younger self could. I also have neuropathy that affects my feet and balance, and I have a BB.

@Icecreamsundaz I’ve been to the supermarket today, luckily there are lots of disabled spaces, at least two cars weren’t displaying BBs.

How do you know they had kids back in the day?? Plus carseats werent mandatory back in yhe day. If they didn't know the could have just said. My initial encounter was polite

I park in the P&C spots all the time, it’s not illegal, having a child is not a disability. Having 3 and not being able to control them, not my issue, maybe should of thought about having a football team and having to drag them round the supermarket…

Men are so much safer.

This would be hilarious if it wasn’t such a bald-faced lie.

The statistics disagree with you yet you are more afraid of women? Pull the other one 🤣

70s is not elderly. They were active enough to dash back and block her in

Have you got x ray eyes? You have no idea what pain they might be in.

I can jog two miles in 20 minutes, walk 4 miles easily. For twisting, my back is wrecked (the x rays are a fun mix of arthritis, old fractures, scoliosis and osteoporosis). I look as fit as a fiddle, but getting out of a car without being able to swing the door wide open is a literal and figurative pain.

Like I said above, wait 'til you're their age before you start making judgements about their physical abilities.

The elderly couple were dickheads for parking in the spot, but taking a photo of their car was daft, lots of people will react in a negative way if you do that.

P&Cs are not enforceable in the same way as blue badge spaces are. Sometimes people will park in them regardless and the supermarket staff will absolutely do nothing about it.