# "You know, that's handicapped parking spot!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328 "2011-06-13T17:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/181 "2011-06-14T06:16:39Z")
> [@Pixiesnix](#): > > I was wondering if I was the exception, because my friends have no problem managing to not lie, cheat and steal. I think the OP needs a better class of friends. Same here. In the rare cases where one of my friends would suggest doing any of those things, I would call them on it. I know, I’ve done it. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/182 "2011-06-14T06:21:00Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > The OP expresses an attitude that exemplifies what is really wrong in America: “It’s all about me. Fuck the lot of you. I will do what I want, when I want, wherever I want.” - has the gall to start a Pit thread against the woman who dared to point out his parking infraction. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/183 "2011-06-14T06:41:27Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > What the fuck is it about the words “handicapped spot” that makes the insane come out in everyone!?!? Well, as the first exemplar of this phenomenon in this thread, you should probably tell us. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/184 "2011-06-14T07:07:25Z")
Three times I got a ticket for parking just like the OP did, and three times I’ve appealed the ticket succcessfully on the exact same grounds as the OP. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/185 "2011-06-14T07:09:19Z")
And if you think I’m lying - I can post the email transcript to “prove” it. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/186 "2011-06-14T07:18:59Z")
Dear Eonwe, Thank you for existing. Your type of self entitled idiocy keeps me employed. I work in news. I park big live trucks quite often illegally because I have to run cables, avoid powerlines and the like. I have been known to jump curbs or park in loading zones. I have been issued many parking tickets which the company pays for knowing it’s the price of doing business. I would NEVER park in a handicapped spot or in front of a hydrant. It is just wrong. Do you know what right & wrong are? Have you ever considered following a personal moral code, even if it makes your life a little harder? Sorry you have heavy stuff. Get a cart or be a man and carry it a bit further. In my case, I smashed my heelbone a month and a half ago, just got back to work yesterday. I have not yet applied for my temporary handicapped tag, I need to get off my butt and do that today. So you know what I have to do when I go park at the store? I park far away with everyone else and crutch my way in. Because it’s the right thing to do. When I get my tag, then I will legally use the parking spot, until I am better, then I will stop. Consider this: I am the kind of person who will walk up to you with a camera rolling and start asking you very uncomfotable questions for the purposes of embarassing you and making good tv. I’ve done stories on people like you before, the public enjoys watching folks like you squirm. So if all these folks can’t appeal to your sense of reason, you might consider that if you meet someone like me you will be publicly humiliated, and perhaps you might not like that. Honestly, you really come across as someone whose self interest trumps all, and it doesn’t look good. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/187 "2011-06-14T07:22:47Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > And if you think I’m lying - I can post the email transcript to “prove” it. Sure, go for it. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/188 "2011-06-14T08:10:10Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Three times I got a ticket for parking just like the OP did, and three times I’ve appealed the ticket successfully on the exact same grounds as the OP. Could you tell us where you live? If i ever need to move, i’d like to relocate to a place where “I’m a lazy, selfish asshole” is considered a reasonable excuse. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/189 "2011-06-14T08:21:20Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Sure, go for it. From: OFFICER \ Subject: NOTICE OF PARKING OFFENCE (NOPO)xxxxxOF 16 MAY 2008 VEHICLE To: [xxxxxxx@yahoo.com](mailto:xxxxxxx@yahoo.com) Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 9:03 PM HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD Your Ref : Our Ref : HG/CPU/HG7/AJ/xx/xxxxxxx Date : 18 Jun 2008 Tel : Fax : Email : \ Dearxxxxxx NOTICE OF PARKING OFFENCE (NOPO) xxxxxxxx OF 16 MAY 2008 VEHICLE NO.:xxxxxxxx We refer to your e-mail of 09 Jun 2008. We have reviewed your case and have decided to waive the above NOPO for this occasion only. You are strongly advised not to commit another parking offence as we will not be able to assist you again. Please ignore any subsequent reminder, which may be generated by the computer. Yours sincerely, \ edited ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/190 "2011-06-14T08:26:49Z")
Good enough for you? To me it is adults being adults. People accomodate to each other all the time, taking a few minutes to load some heavy stuff into a car is not “depriving” somebody of anything, any more than asking somebody to move a cart in a supermarket is an onerous, sould destroying task. If somebody couldn’t look at the car and what a minute or two while it was moved, then tough shit - they are too dumb for words and certainly too stupid to be out in public anyway. Probably a lot of the problem comes from people using this as an “entitlement” rather than a genuine accomodation and interaction between adults. Of course a disabled driver has priority, but by the same token, the chances of a disabled driver actually being disadvantaged THIS time is miniscule compared to the danger caused to the OP, or the inconvenience if the OP parked in traffic to load the car. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/191 "2011-06-14T08:27:08Z")
> [@Pixiesnix](#): > > I was wondering if I was the exception, because my friends have no problem managing to not lie, cheat and steal. I think the OP needs a better class of friends. Why did these better friends do to deserve a friend like the OP? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/192 "2011-06-14T08:32:37Z")
> [@42fish](#): > > It’s possible that the cops aren’t doing anything because the spaces aren’t in their jurisdiction. It’s also possible that “the cops” who were driving by at the time were responding to an incident a tad more serious than a parking offense. Most places I’ve lived, the beat cops don’t handle parking; that’s assigned to, as you would guess, the parking enforcement branch (aka “Meter Maids”). ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/193 "2011-06-14T08:40:53Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > If i ever need to move, i’d like to relocate to a place where “I’m a lazy, selfish asshole” is considered a reasonable excuse. Imagine the neighbours. Eonwe, does the near universal negative reaction you’ve received here not suggest that you were in the wrong on this, and should change your behaviour? It’s a pretty easy issue to fix (buy a hand truck). ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/194 "2011-06-14T08:44:18Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > …Probably a lot of the problem comes from people using this as an “entitlement” rather than a genuine accomodation and interaction between adults. Of course a disabled driver has priority, but by the same token, the chances of a disabled driver actually being disadvantaged THIS time is miniscule compared to the danger caused to the OP, or the inconvenience if the OP parked in traffic to load the car. Sadly the OP has stated that there was an open legal spot 15 feet away, and that his unloading process was probably more that a couple minutes. Sure this is all just wind & bluster on an internet message board, but all things being equal, anyone who would begin such a rant under the belief they have a legitimate complaint against those who would find his behavior disturbing really doesn’t seem all that bright to begin with. The “entitlement” of the handicapped is reasonable and lawful. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/195 "2011-06-14T08:45:50Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Why did these better friends do to deserve a friend like the OP? Good point. I wonder, does hanging around douchebags turn you into a douchebag, or do you have to be a douchebag to attract douchebag friends? ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/196 "2011-06-14T08:49:40Z")
> [@2gigch1](#): > > Sadly the OP has stated that there was an open legal spot 15 feet away, and that his unloading process was probably more that a couple minutes. > > Sure this is all just wind & bluster on an internet message board, but all things being equal, anyone who would begin such a rant under the belief they have a legitimate complaint against those who would find his behavior disturbing really doesn’t seem all that bright to begin with. > > The “entitlement” of the handicapped is reasonable and lawful. Actually I think he said that there was another handicapped spot 15 feet away… ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/197 "2011-06-14T09:02:46Z")
Post # 103 “There were other non-handicapped spots about 15 feet away.” Sorry, he’s an ass. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/198 "2011-06-14T09:12:11Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Do you really care about my answer to this, or is this just a question-asking game whose ultimate point is to tell me I’m wrong? :: shrugs :: …you created the scenario. How long should you wait in a car for someone to move out of a disabled spot? Where do you park to get out of the car to tell someone they are in a disabled spot? These are both things you suggested people do: it is not unreasonable to expect you to explain how these are easier options for people who are allowed to park in disabled spots than actually pulling into the spot and parking. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/199 "2011-06-14T09:16:52Z")
> [@2gigch1](#): > > Post # 103 > > “There were other non-handicapped spots about 15 feet away.” > > Sorry, he’s an ass. I see your post 103 and raise you a post 51 > [@](#): > > He or she could have pulled into either of the other two empty handicapped parking spots available. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/200 "2011-06-14T09:24:50Z")
This whole thing is about 15 feet. He can’t park legally 15 feet away and lug his stuff in? Parking in a handicapped spot without the proper tags / placards is illegal. Why is this so tough? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=11)