# A real-life handicap-parking story
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [June 23, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524 "2011-06-23T03:28:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/101 "2011-06-23T22:38:28Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#):
>
> People get too worked up over some minor vigilante behavior. Its not like you went Batman on the guy and left him tied up and dangling from a lamp post. You simply blocked him in while you called security. Good job! 🆒
I can’t speak for other posters, but to me it’s not the BEHAVIOUR that’s hugely out of line, it’s the OP’s response to the consequences of their behaviour.
This actually has a rather large parallel to the other handicapped parking space thread, in that what the OPs did was kinda dickish but nothing huge in the grand scheme of life, but when getting called on their dickish behaviour as a natural consequence (the other thread with someone pointing out it was a handicapped space, in this situation with the OP having their gym membership revoked), suddenly everyone around them is bitches and pricks and oh civil rights are being eroded.
The OP hasn’t been locked up and hosed down with ice water. He’s had a gym membership revoked. A gym membership that probably includes terms that state they can do that at any time, for any reason. When you indulge in vigilante behaviour, you have to accept that at times you are going to end up on the wrong end of the rules and laws yourself.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/102 "2011-06-23T22:41:16Z")
> [@Mr.Greenjeans](#):
>
> Despite a pretty overwhelming response both here and in your airline thread, you seem to not want to entertain the notion that you may be wrong here and that perhaps you are (as best stated by Living Well Is Best Revenge) a “giant pain in the ass.”
>
> Maybe we should try it this way: Everything you say is true. You’re right. The other driver is wrong. The gym is wrong. The cops are wrong. The airline is wrong. Everyone here is wrong. And so on and so on.
>
> Is that what you’re after?
>
> ETA: The other driver _is_ wrong. That still doesn’t justify your actions.
No, that is not what I’m after. I know, what it comes down to the letter of the law, my actions were technically wrong. I said, earlier in the thread, I was NEVER trying to escape responsiblity for my actions. Secondly, the police, in the HHFC incident, unfortunately never were involved. It was only security. I never implied any sort of wrongdoing on the part of law enforcement or any law-enforcement authorities" specifically. And the airline situation, it not something that is done PURPOSELY wrong, I do understand WHY it is the way it is, I am just after a way of modifiying it because it needs be changed. And, despite what practically everyone here is so adamantly proclaiming, I still believe at least SOME level of pride and self-respect can be restored to the aisle-chair situation. As this thread has progressed, I admit to shifting my views on the matter ever so slightly. To a more realistic view of the state of things. But that doesn’t mean that I simply bow and accept the way things currently are. It does mean that, working WITHIN the framework of the existing possibilites, things can still be done (modifications, seat belt issues, legality issues, etc.) to better the situation. As far as the parking lot issue, my “vigilante” actions in the HHFC incident were not actions that I take every single time I encounter illegal parkers. Jesus Christ, no. As in the second incident mentioned in the online article, that time it was necessitated out of a lack of anywhere else to park. In the Hurley incident, it was the particularly obnoxious and blatant disregard for not only parking laws, but the ppl for whom those laws are in place for that this young man was displaying that put me over the edge. I simply could not let it go. And I did not confront him. I consider a confrontation something in which physical violence has the opportunity to take place. Despite what everyone may think here, I adamantly assure you, that was NOT a possibility. We communicated over a distance of about 15ft through our cars and then I parked my car(which was RIGHT next to the door) and immediately went inside. I didn’t even look at the young man as I got out and went inside.
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### Author:  [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/103 "2011-06-23T22:49:08Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> I consider a confrontation something in which physical violence has the opportunity to take place.
Probably time to consider expanding your definition. Some of us would rather take a physical slap than a verbal one. Just throwing that out there.
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> …the ppl for…
Your grammar and spelling are quite good, your instincts for this will earn much forgiveness for what others may perceive as other faults. For your own sake, don’t do this here, it will only make you a target.
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### Author:  [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/104 "2011-06-23T22:54:20Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#):
>
> So is this your shtick? Are you the SDMB’s newest one-trick pony?
A search for all of his posts should give you the answer. [Jack](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=43031) [Dean](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=45381) [Tyler](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=47817), [anyone](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=46061)[?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=45330)
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### Author:  [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/105 "2011-06-23T22:57:30Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#):
>
> Your grammar and spelling are quite good, your instincts for this will earn much forgiveness for what others may perceive as other faults. For your own sake, don’t do this here, it will only make you a target.
It’s an affectation of his. I’ve not once seen him spell out “people”. At least he doesn’t call them peeps.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/106 "2011-06-23T23:00:56Z")
[quote=“Inigo\_Montoya, post:103, topic:586524”]
Probably time to consider expanding your definition. Some of us would rather take a physical slap than a verbal one. Just throwing that out there.
Your grammar and spelling are quite good, your instincts for this will earn much forgiveness for what others may perceive as other faults. For your own sake, don’t do this here, it will only make you a target.[/QUOTE
Well ok, if that’s the definiton of “confrontation”, it wasn’t a confrontation I started. I started a conversation. HE started a confrontation.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/107 "2011-06-23T23:02:06Z")
> [@srzss05](#):
>
> It’s an affectation of his. I’ve not once seen him spell out “people”. At least he doesn’t call them peeps.
Yes, guilty as charged. Consider it a damned side effect of texting. :smack:
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/108 "2011-06-23T23:47:11Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> I didn’t “block and confront” him. I blocked him in and went straight inside the building. I didnt do any sort of confronting. And PLEASE, I was polite and courteous well into the exchange.
You’re very conveniently defining “confront” and “polite” to suit your purposes. I don’t buy it. I wouldn’t consider my car being blocked on purpose a nonconfrontational act, myself, let alone a polite one.
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### Author:  [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/109 "2011-06-23T23:53:39Z")
Blocking his car was absolutely confrontational. You remind me of when Bobby Brady became hall monitor and got drunk with power tattling on everyone. Ok, that’s a bit of a stretch, but it made me lol.
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### Author:  [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/110 "2011-06-23T23:56:40Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> Yes, guilty as charged. Consider it a damned side effect of texting. :smack:
Not a huge deal, but now that it’s been pointed out an acknowledged could you please stop? It’s damn annoying and it will affect how posters perceive you.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/111 "2011-06-23T23:59:16Z")
> [@PlainJain](#):
>
> Not a huge deal, but now that it’s been pointed out an acknowledged could you please stop? It’s damn annoying and it will affect how posters perceive you.
Well yes, but I it’s more of a reflexive sort of thing. I’ll try to be more cognizant of it though.
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### Author:  [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/112 "2011-06-24T00:06:38Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> And I did not confront him. I consider a confrontation something in which physical violence has the opportunity to take place. Despite what everyone may think here, I adamantly assure you, that was NOT a possibility. We communicated over a distance of about 15ft through our cars and then I parked my car(which was RIGHT next to the door) and immediately went inside. I didn’t even look at the young man as I got out and went inside.
What makes you think that it couldn’t have turned into a physical fight? 15ft of parking lot is hardly an insurmountable obstacle for either of you. While you were parking your car behind his and getting out, he could easily have walked over to your car. In fact, I’m a little surprised he didn’t.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/113 "2011-06-24T00:06:55Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> Well yes, but I it’s more of a reflexive sort of thing. I’ll try to be more cognizant of it though.
Good, because the next step would be somebody blocking your post while he go gets a moderator.
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### Author:  [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/114 "2011-06-24T00:09:18Z")
> [@PlainJain](#):
>
> Not a huge deal, but now that it’s been pointed out an acknowledged could you please stop? It’s damn annoying and it will affect how posters perceive you.
Stop discriminating against disabled people.
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### Author:  [@Linguini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linguini)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/115 "2011-06-24T00:29:27Z")
You want to park in a handicap spot be my guess. There are way too many handicap spots that are unused and are taking valuable space from others who seek a parking space. Whoever calculated the number of handicapped spaces per parking lot obviously had no clue as to the few number that would ever use the spaces.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/116 "2011-06-24T00:30:46Z")
> [@Meyer6](#):
>
> What makes you think that it couldn’t have turned into a physical fight? 15ft of parking lot is hardly an insurmountable obstacle for either of you. While you were parking your car behind his and getting out, he could easily have walked over to your car. In fact, I’m a little surprised he didn’t.
I don’t think he even knew what I was doing when I was parking my car behind his until the deed was done. He was obviously surprised. And I don’t think you are realizing the speed and efficiency with which I enter and exit my vehicle. Im telling you, since I was the one there and none of you were, that the possibility for a fistfight (or any other kind of physical fight) was absent.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/117 "2011-06-24T00:37:57Z")
> [@nadathing](#):
>
> You want to park in a handicap spot be my guess. There are way too many handicap spots that are unused and are taking valuable space from others who seek a parking space. Whoever calculated the number of handicapped spaces per parking lot obviously had no clue as to the few number that would ever use the spaces.
See, this is exactly the mentality that makes people feel okay breaking the law and parking whereever the hell they want. “Well, there are WAY too many handicap spots anyway, they just go unused, why not?” This is a tunnel-vision way of viewing the world. Viewing it only through your experiences. Maybe those spots are empty when YOU see them, but are you monitoring those spots for the duration of business hours? And with the glut of “questionably disabled” people who manage to score a placard from a “could-care-less” doctor, those spaces are usually always full.
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### Author:  [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/118 "2011-06-24T01:03:30Z")
> [@nadathing](#):
>
> You want to park in a handicap spot be my guess. There are way too many handicap spots that are unused and are taking valuable space from others who seek a parking space. Whoever calculated the number of handicapped spaces per parking lot obviously had no clue as to the few number that would ever use the spaces.
In the US, the number of spaces required can vary. It could be based on state law, building codes, or local zoning codes. Businesses and property owners are free to add more than the required number, but that can’t have less than the minimum. Unless, of course, they’re in an urban area and they don’t have off-street parking period.
Little known fact: the idea of handicapped parking was first conceived in the 1960s in Canada. Spaces were marked with a large letter “G”, which symbolized “gimp”. However, French-Canadians protested because the letter symbolized an English word. Thus, the wheelchair symbol was born. The symbol was designed in a way to allow easy modification of already-painted “G” spaces, converting the letter into a wheelchair with a few extra lines.
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### Author:  [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/119 "2011-06-24T01:07:55Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#):
>
> See, this is exactly the mentality that makes people feel okay breaking the law and parking whereever the hell they want. “Well, there are WAY too many handicap spots anyway, they just go unused, why not?” This is a tunnel-vision way of viewing the world. Viewing it only through your experiences. Maybe those spots are empty when YOU see them, but are you monitoring those spots for the duration of business hours? And with the glut of “questionably disabled” people who manage to score a placard from a “could-care-less” doctor, those spaces are usually always full.
The poster signed up this month, and has two posts - one of which is the one you’re responding to, and another which is a snarky comment in a thread about healthcare.
You’re being trolled, and you’re dancing to his tune.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-life-handicap-parking-story/586524/120 "2011-06-24T01:09:55Z")
> [@elmwood](#):
>
> In the US, the number of spaces required can vary. It could be based on state law, building codes, or local zoning codes. Businesses and property owners are free to add more than the required number, but that can’t have less than the minimum. Unless, of course, they’re in an urban area and they don’t have off-street parking period.
>
> Little known fact: the idea of handicapped parking was first conceived in the 1960s in Canada. Spaces were marked with a large letter “G”, which symbolized “gimp”. However, French-Canadians protested because the letter symbolized an English word. Thus, the wheelchair symbol was born. The symbol was designed in a way to allow easy modification of already-painted “G” spaces, converting the letter into a wheelchair with a few extra lines.
Ahhh, I never knew that!
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