Non-disabled people parking in disabled bays? Challenge or just walk on by?
Discuss....
Me? I challenge, as long as I feel fairly confident that they aren't disabled (From the way they look, the car and the absence of any badge in the car, one can usually tell...up to a point)
personally I'd not risk it - I know of a couple of people who have disabilities that aren't immediately obvious.
People parking in the parent+child bays at the supermarket is another matter - that really boils my piss. There was an hilarious incident at local Sainsburys when some 50 year t0sser in his M3 convertible swung into a bay, went to get out but was stopped in his tracks by an irate Mum with car full of kids. Cue embarrassing get-back-into-car-and-reverse-out-whilst-muttering-under-breath as she waited with her arms crossed.
I cant remeber the last time I saw any one with a disability getting out of a car with a 'blue badge', so I dont really take any notice. Sorry!
A bloke had a go at me for parking in the bay the other day and was most put out when I told him I did suffer from a disability
"oh yeah?" he replied, "what's your disability then?"
"Tourettes, now **** off you ****"
that's my coat, the snorkel parka
Wouldn't park in a disabled bay (supermarket or elsewhere) (but wouldn't challenge either as I'm a wimp and anyone who ignores disabled parking signs is likely to be arsey and bigger than me)
Parent-and-children bays (seem to be in supermarkets only) really piss me off: why should I be discriminated against yet more because I don't have a child / children?
Awaits flaming...
I challenge, as long as I feel fairly confident that they aren't disabled
I prefer to challenge people if I feel fairly confident that they are disabled.
I'm not a **** ffs.
You're not discriminated against because you don't have children! Do you get out on your bike from time to time? Do you get your own time?
You're in a very good position and you're not adding to our overpopulation problem. STOP BREEDING!!!
My mother had some particularly sticky stickers with 'you have my parking place, do you want my disability as well?' on them.
Parent-and-children bays (seem to be in supermarkets only) really piss me off: why should I be discriminated against yet more because I don't have a child / children?
I can see what you mean, but they are usually there to give extra space and allow doors to be open wide while the kids are put in place. Are you REALLY so fat and unfit that walking that little bit furhter is too hard? I normally park on the back edge of the car park as the spaces are easier to get into and out of as none of the fatties can walk that far
In fairness, there's usually more important things in my day than worrying about stuff like that.
I'd only challenge them if they were in a wheel chair and I had a decent chance of winning the fight.
what he ^^ said - just means that I can get my kids out the car safely and without the risk of putting a dent in the car next to me when the wriggling toddler kicks the door further open. It also means that I have less dangerous car park to take my kids through (and the danger is more from idiot drivers than from my ability or otherwise to keep a reign on my two well-behaved daughters).
I can't say I would have been lobbying for their introduction but as they're there and they're usually very heavily signposted it gets up my nose when someone ignores that because they cant be arsed to walk an extra couple of hundred yards / is worried that someone might park close to them.
In fairness, there's usually more important things in my day than worrying about stuff like that.
Aye, you're not wrong...
Around five years or so ago, I did challenge a bloke - well, it wasn't quite as brave as that. I was kind of tutting at him in that way we all do (but I wasn't going to say anything, oh no, not me). He saw me and asked the good old "what the **** are you looking at?" to which I replied, "well, you're parked in a space for disabled people but you're obviously not disabled". Jesus, he let fly a volley of abuse and being around a foot taller and wider than me, I was shitting myself. I haven't done it since.
It's when people park in the middle of two spaces that makes me have an irrational urge to push their car out of the way (through a wall, hedge, whatever) with the van...
nuttysquirrel - Member
You're not discriminated against because you don't have children
Are you REALLY so fat and unfit that walking that little bit furhter [sic] is too hard?
#1 - Do I get extra leave to make up for not taking paternity leave - no. Does MrsJulianA get extra leave to make up for not taking maternity leave - no. Do we have to cover for people on paternity / maternity leave - yes. I think we might be being discriminated against just a tad for not having children, don't you?
#2 - No, but why should we? We get just as wet / cold / hot / <insert discomfort / inconvenience here> as anyone else, don't we?
If you choose to have children shouldn't you learn to work around your situation rather those of us who don't have children learning to work around your your situation?
Wait till you have kids, you might get it then....
Parent-and-children bays (seem to be in supermarkets only) really piss me off: why should I be discriminated against yet more because I don't have a child / children?
Put it this way: would you prefer to have someone juggling shopping and two kids accidentally scrape their pushchair along your car as they try to squeeze in? Or would you like them to have their own area with wider access?
badblood - Member
Wait till you have kids, you might get it then...
Put it this way: would you prefer to have someone juggling shopping and two kids accidentally scrape their pushchair along your car as they try to squeeze in?
#1 - Not happening
#2 - No, but why should their spaces be closest to the supermarket door?
phiiiiil - MemberIt's when people park in the middle of two spaces that makes me have an irrational urge to push their car out of the way (through a wall, hedge, whatever) with the van...
I thought they did that so you could leave you trolly within a mill. of their bodywork 
JulianA - you weren't challenged in the nicest terms by the poster above but one day you might have kids and you or your missus might be grateful for the extra safety that those spaces offer. trying to keep two nippers safe and get in and out of the supermarket is not the easiest of tasks especially with the moron drivers that inhabit this country. I'm biased, I do have kids and know how useful that extra space is. Not entirely sure that you are suffering from them being there. Lazy fat bints unloading their teenagers in those spaces deserve shooting...obviously!
The main thing that annoys me is the way blue badge holders can park up where ever they choose blocking traffic and visibility for others. The fact that they never have to pay is beyond me. Place nearest to the door / shops / cinema / whatever is all fine but why do we have to pay and they don't? Disabled doesn't necessarily mean poor!
Now that Gordy is busy challenging the layabouts claiming disability benefits when they have no right, maybe we'll see a reduction in blue badges?
JulianA - what a **** selfish attitude to have, if people didn't have children than humanity wouldn't last too long. Trying to get a couple or even one child out of the car and into the trolleyand then into the supermarket can be especially stressful for parent and child. Trying to do it in a normal space can be nigh on impossible. That bit of extra space makes ahuge difference and being closer to the supermarket means that the child or baby are exposed to the elements less and it is safer, especially when you have a toddler in tow. It is a pretty hard job bringing up children and simple everyday tasks take on a whole new level of difficulty.
My kids are 11 and 7 now and I don't park in the parent and toddler bays as they can quite easily walk to the store and are well aware of the dangers of a car park.
It is just pure laziness and lack of consideration for others that may not find shopping such an easy task that makes people park in Mother and toddler/Diabled bays.
So think of others for once and stop being so self centered.
Oh and BTW, never say never about having children, you would be amazed at the way life throws things at you.
Couple of years ago had a torn tendon in knee, could barely walk for a bit. No blue badge obviously, but technically and temporarily dis-abled. Was I within my rights to use disabled bays? (generally closer to whatever it was I was going to and so minimised my very painful hobling)
I suspect getting Fife council to give me a special badge would have taken longer than it took said injury to heal.
Used the bays a few times, was prepared to argue with traffic wardens but never needed to. Just felt such a prat driving less than 2 miles, on one occasion less than half a mile.
I was the victim of blue badge rage from an old dear recently and i was a bit mean. however i was in the right though and she realised when i explained, she roared off in her X5 a bit sheepish.....
Struggling to G.A.F. about parking bay angst.
I am with Julian 100% on this. Child free are discriminated against all the time. family friendly hours at work - not for me as I don't have kids. No maternity / paternity leave / carers leave.
I work in a 24 hr 7 day profession - the childless ones always get the shitty end of the stick on shifts.
If I had something to compensate it would be OK - but I don't. I subsidise your kids thru may taxes, and get inconvenienced at work and outside of work for the privilege
JulianA, you know you're being selfish so stop it now! Also, you're making out that the parent & child spaces are some kind of infringements on your very being! They're not there due to legislation you know, it's the supermarkets that decided to put them there - I'm guessing to encourage families to shop. The last time I heard, you had a choice where you shopped, so the best thing to do would be to survey which supermarket allows you to park closest to the shop and then use that one. Alternatively, supermarkets being the customer focused fellows they are will be delighted to hear your views. You could always vent your frustrations on them.
On the other hand, I would like some kind of Godwin's Law-equivalent for when somebody says something along the lines of:
Wait till you have kids, you might get it then....
To go back to the OP - Yes challenge them - but be very very sure of your ground. Some disabilities are very hard to see.
The childless ones always get the shitty end
I dunno, all my mates who have had kids recently seem to be seeing lots of shitty ends.
****'s sake, when are we ever going to be progressive in this country - I'm surprised at your attitude TJ!
TandemJeremy - Member
To go back to the OP - Yes challenge them - but be very very sure of your ground. Some disabilities are very hard to see.
Very much my take on it, TJ.
I normally park on the back edge of the car park as the spaces are easier to get into and out of as none of the fatties can walk that far
Me too and when I return people have parked next to me! whats that all about?
cb - Member
JulianA - you weren't challenged in the nicest terms by the poster above but one day you might have kids
badblood - Member
JulianA - what a **** selfish attitude to have, if people didn't have children than humanity wouldn't last too long. Trying to get a couple or even one child out of the car and into the trolleyand then into the supermarket can be especially stressful for parent and child. Trying to do it in a normal space can be nigh on impossible. That bit of extra space makes ahuge difference and being closer to the supermarket means that the child or baby are exposed to the elements less and it is safer, especially when you have a toddler in tow. It is a pretty hard job bringing up children and simple everyday tasks take on a whole new level of difficulty.
#1 - Thank you - didn't take the challenge amiss - but it's REALLY not happening!
#2 - Bit less happy about this one. I don't think fewer people being around is too much of a problem and I don't see why I should be inconvenienced for YOUR selfish attitude. Don't mean to come across as aggressive but your post was a little strongly worded at the beginning...
I am with Julian and TJ 
...the childless ones always get the shitty end of the stick on shifts.
not to mention being expected to give breeding colleagues the pick of the holiday times......
Why Deadly darcy. I am fed up of this. "family friendly" is unfriendly to the childless.
No big deal but I find people with children become incredibly self obsessed and selfish.
crikey i must have missed all the great things handed out now i've got kids! I got two weeks off extra (which i took as holidays as the £100 odd quid per week you get doesn't pay the mortgage). I get sod all benefits from my employer but then I work in the private sector and they generally dont give a bugger. they love calling me out when ever and don't really worry about my personal life. I do work around it because it was my choice, still let the good times roll.....
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