# "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:** 13
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/241 "2011-06-14T16:23:46Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > If there’s one thing this thread has convinced me of, it’s looking for a decent hand truck. I used something similar to [this](http://www.handtrucksrus.com/crashdetail.aspx?id=764) in my hauling days. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/242 "2011-06-14T16:45:38Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > So, yes, I did know it was a handicapped parking spot. But for this moment I had needs that surpassed strict adherence to parking regulations. Thank you for your concern about my literacy. Ah, it’s days like this I regret the coming of the kindler, more gentler BBQ Pit. If only I could truly express my contempt for this person in the terms which fully convey my loathing. Of course, afterwords I would have to apologize to nematodes, tapeworms, and the sludge in the gutter outside my residence for the comparison, but in this case it would be worth such a cost. **Eonwe** , I can only assume you came here thinking there would be some sort of agreement with your position, as the alternative - you’re a real, actual masochist - is pretty rare in life. No. There is not agreement with what you did. All your excuses are just that, excuses, and intended to justify horribly selfish and inconsiderate behavior, not to mention the breaking of law. Be glad my spouse was not present when you did that, as he takes special glee in reporting such violations and watching police hand out tickets to offenders. You broke the law. You were selfish. You were inconsiderate. You were a jerk\*. What you did was not OK. It was not justifiable. If I were a less kind person I’d wish the Karma Hammer to hit you over the head, or at least whack you good with a clue-by-four, but I’m trying to be better than that. - Which is about the strongest term I can safely use these days on this board but trust me, if I had written what I was actually thinking I would have needed to have fire extinguisher next to the keyboard in case of it spontaneously bursting into flames while I was flaming your worthless ass. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/243 "2011-06-14T16:53:50Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Look, it’s no skin off my back if you choose to call me names. You sound like a total idiot, though, declaring me a) lazy (if you want to carry 70lb+, awkwardly shaped and somewhat fragile boxes in and out of buildings, up and down stairs, and not take advantage of every foot of reprieve you can, be my guest I actually have to do that as part of my current employment. In addition to the loads being heavy and awkwardly shaped, some of them are things like saws which can also cause you significant injury if mishandled. Nonetheless, I manage to avoid parking in handicapped spots. Hey, maybe you should hire someone for a couple bucks to help you carry that shit, huh? Hell, maybe ask a friend to help you out for free - or don’t you have any? Get a handtruck and some bungee cords. Boo-fucking-hoo poor snugg’ums has to carry heavy shit - hey, other people manage, why can’t you? > [@](#): > > That guy did something I don’t like, he must be a BAD PERSON!!! No, you’re a bad person because you seek ways to justify your law-breaking behavior, unlike good people who have the grace to be a little ashamed of minor infractions. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/244 "2011-06-14T16:59:04Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > I see your point, but I feel like this situation is different from your examples in two critical ways: > > Being that guy who stops in the intersection when the light changes is directly affecting the cross traffic. The guy waiting at the light now can’t go. until the blocker’s line of traffic starts to move again. In my situation there was no other person. > > Both of your examples (though mainly the second) have potential to cause physical danger to other people. My situation did no such thing. The guy who rides the curb is a jerk because he created a very hazardous situation. I will agree that my examples were a bit more lopsided, as it’s hard to come up with things that are similarly balanced, particularly since it’s a subjective judgment. I was simply trying to give examples of the same sort of reasoning. To expand the thought experiment, I think you’d get a lot less crap if you backed up your truck into the spot to unload a 300 lbs safe, were only in it for about a minute just to get it out and on the curb and immediately moved the truck to a legal spot. I also think you’d get a lot more crap if you backed up a trailer full of pillows, and took the spot up for 2 hours while you carried them in one at a time and regularly left it unattended for long periods in a place where handicap spots are in high demand. Or to go back to my driving on the shoulder example, I don’t think anyone would say anything if someone went into it a couple feet to get around the back end of a car to get into a turn lane. But if someone zoomed down the shoulder past 30-40 cars to take an exit, I think most people would say they’re a jerk. Apparently, where you draw that line isn’t the same place where society does. And at some point beyond whereve that line is drawn, it will eventually get some kind of action out of anyone. Apparently where that woman draws that line is stricter than where most people do, which is why she came off jerkish. As I’ve said, personally, I wouldn’t have done it and I understand your reasoning for doing it. But if nothing else, I think this thread demonstrates that where you draw that line isn’t in agreement with where most people do, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that people aren’t siding with you for being upset for what, relative to where society draws that line, is a lesser offense. It’s just something to consider next time that sort of thing happens. > [@](#): > > Which is why most of us of sound mind keep those decisions to ourselves, while castigating the same decisions as made by others. Oh, I agree. I just don’t see it as bad enough to warrant a pitting. If she yelled at you for being parked in a 20-minute spot for 22 minutes, I’d say it’s pretty far out of line. I just don’t think it’s to that extreme and worth getting upset about. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/245 "2011-06-14T17:00:39Z")
I say we take him out back and beat the shit out of him. Who’s with me? ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/246 "2011-06-14T17:02:19Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > I think I get your point, but when the invective _is_ the message, how can one take it seriously, or respond to it? If someone wants to explain _why_ I’m wrong (as some have done) then I’d be open to discussion about it. But, when the functional purpose of the text is just to call me a jerk, I don’t know that I owe that person’s opinion much consideration. You have a good point; a message solely composed of invective isn’t that helpful, though I suppose you can always take the message at least that, presumably, they didn’t approve of what you did, even if they don’t go into why. As far as not owing a jerk anything; I can understand that. But I would argue that you owe yourself something, and that might be reconsideration if there’s a chance of you hindering yourself in some manner. If nothing else, should all we hyenas be wrong and you right, then you’re in the right and yet people are annoyed with you. Unless you’re enjoying this, probably there are some lessons to be learnt, even if it isn’t on the main topic. 😉 ---
**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, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/247 "2011-06-14T17:05:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I say we take him out back and beat the shit out of him. Who’s with me? OK, but I’m not walking any further than 15 feet to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/248 "2011-06-14T17:20:44Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > 1. No, I did not commit a crime. Maybe not in Vermont where you live, but if you did that here, where I live, yes, as a matter of fact it IS considered a crime. It’s murder or rape level crime, but it is a crime nonetheless. > [@](#): > > 1. I am not surprised that it’s not hugs and kisses. I am surprised at how vehemently and quickly I was turned into a monster. People are less reluctant to call you an asshole on the internet than they are in real life. Additional news: water is wet. > [@](#): > > 1. Again with the “entitled.” I do not think any of you know what that word means. For the third time I’ll clarify that I am not arguing for a “right” to park in the handicapped spot. Any attempt on my part to do so was rash and reactionary and not a clear reflection of my opinions. What I do think is that it is possible to do so on occasion, if one judges circumstances correctly, in a way that does no harm to anyone, and can in fact be a boon to oneself. I also think it’s very clear that in this circumstance the above was true in my case. And I also think that the random passerby walking to her car stating the obvious was a little rude. The law does not allow you to use your personal judgement in this case. Whether or not it harms anyone else directly, society has decided that only handicapped people (or people transporting handicapped people) can park in such spots. Period. End of statement. There are no exceptions. Here’s another idea - next time you feel a need to be a jerk and use a handicapped parking spot as a loading dock, _take an actual handicapped person along with you in the car_. You might or might not be a jerk in that case, but at least you’d be technically legal, right? Get a granny or a little disabled kid or someone a ride, get them out of the house, hang their tag off your rear-view mirror, park in the damned blue spot, and have at it. Then when some self-righteous stranger says “hey, that’s a handicapped spot!” you can point to the cripple in the passenger seat. God, I can’t believe I actually outlined that strategy for someone, in public. _\>sigh\<_ ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/249 "2011-06-14T17:22:50Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I say we take him out back and beat the shit out of him. Who’s with me? I think we should all go drive solo in the car pool lane instead. From what I’ve seen, there’s enough room. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/250 "2011-06-14T17:24:09Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > We have lots and lots of angry teenagers that want to break and vandalize things. We also have lots of assholes who like to park illegally. I think the solution to both problems is pass a law stating we will not prosecute anyone for vandalizing an illegally parked vehicle. We’d have gangs of teenagers who might be otherwise being a nuisance bringing forth justice for the handicapped. I like it! I like it! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/251 "2011-06-14T17:32:32Z")
> [@2gigch1](#): > > 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. > > …_snip_… > > 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. I _dare_ you to do this to someone like the OP _while_ you’re on crutches and _while_ you’ve got your temporary placard in your hand. Oh _please_ do that! _:::: bounces with excitement:::: ::::runs to get more popcorn::::_ And then post it on-line and tell us where to find it. I have some people I’d like to share that with. Starting with my disabled SO. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/252 "2011-06-14T17:42:14Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > In fact, some jurisdictions allow disabled parking tags to caregivers as well, so the ratio could be much higher. However, in such jurisdictions such caregivers are permitted to use disabled spots ONLY when transporting disabled people. So the ratio is really unaffected, as the only time such tags should be used is when the disabled person is in the vehicle or being picked up, same as if the disabled person was driving him/herself. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/253 "2011-06-14T17:42:34Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > I’m not at all commenting on the merits of the OP. I just wanted to point out that this line of reasoning is beyond _retarded_. Laws are not always right and can’t always be abided by. > > Cite: > [Watch Biker Prove Futility Of NYC Bike Laws By Crashing Over-And-Over Again](http://jalopnik.com/5810436/watch-biker-prove-futility-of-nyc-bike-laws-by-crashing-over+and+over-again) Sorry, bad example. There was no such law requiring that the cyclist stay in the bike lane at all times and the cop was wrong. The filmmaker did not know that at the time and could have fought the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/254 "2011-06-14T17:44:01Z")
> [@eonwe](#): > > if there’s one thing this thread has convinced me of, it’s looking for a decent hand truck. **progress!** ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/255 "2011-06-14T17:49:18Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > If there’s one thing this thread has convinced me of, it’s looking for a decent hand truck. Awesome. Yeah, a dolly might be a good idea. I’m with all the other people who said “But since you do not require the handicapped space due to an illness or physical limitation, err on the side of courtesy and walk a few more feet” Did some of us bully you into a kinder, gentler corner (yep, that there’s irony) or did you decide you’d rather not let meddling stranger ruin your day again? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/256 "2011-06-14T17:52:01Z")
The downside of a hand truck is that wouldn’t want one banging around in my trunk with my music gear. But a blanket might solve that problem. ---
**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, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/257 "2011-06-14T17:58:06Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I _dare_ you to do this to someone like the OP _while_ you’re on crutches and _while_ you’ve got your temporary placard in your hand. > > Oh _please_ do that! > > _:::: bounces with excitement:::: > ::::runs to get more popcorn::::_ > > And then post it on-line and tell us where to find it. I have some people I’d like to share that with. Starting with my disabled SO. I wish. Sadly I am stuck in editing for the next 3 months while I heal the heel. Once I am mobile though, I’m game. Upthread the op tried to downplay the thought that someone like me would show up with a camera and make him uncomfortable. The quality of news generated by such action can certainly be debated and is probably worthy of it’s own Pit thread, and I can argue both sides. But I can guarantee that in my 22 years of experience has told me that under these circumstances, if I caught the OP on tape, and he reacted anything like he has on this thread, it’s pure gold on tv. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/258 "2011-06-14T18:07:58Z")
Whoa, whoa. Six pages of this shit? I skimmed through what I missed. Sue me. > [@diggerwam](#): > > So I should assume that the folks on the board never use the handicapped stall at your office bathroom?? Child, please. There’s a whole thread over there of people admitting, sure, if it’s convenient and no handicapped people are around. Every time someone parks in front of a fire hydrant because they’re just gonna drop off a couple of Netflix DVDs, or someone parks in a loading zone while their friend runs upstairs and grabs her coat, or whatever, they’re silently calculating the odds of a fire suddenly breaking out and the fire squad arriving needing that fire hydrant, or a moving company showing up, during the 90 seconds your car is going to be there. When you unload heavy items in a parking lot using a handicapped space and dismiss the odds of five handicapped people showing up at just that moment, you’re right. There’s not going to be an amputee convention arrving during those three minutes. > [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > To expand the thought experiment, I think you’d get a lot less crap if you backed up your truck into the spot to unload a 300 lbs safe, were only in it for about a minute just to get it out and on the curb and immediately moved the truck to a legal spot. Nope. Just saying he parked in a handicapped space for any reason for any duration equals immediate harping. This is a fact. ---
**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, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/259 "2011-06-14T18:12:42Z")
To be fair, **Blaster Master** did say “less crap”. I concur that there is no scenario that would lead to zero crap, but I can hypothetically envision a thread like this involving a lesser quantity of crap overall. Depending on the details, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/260 "2011-06-14T18:21:32Z")
The OP broke the letter of the law by parking there (and everybody here has done something similiar sometime, probably for even more minor reasons than the OP had). The OP was a bit of a dick for pitting the complaining lady (though do note he was actually decent to her in person). He didnt actually cause anyone in real life any problems. It sounds like the probability he might have possibly done so had things gone poorly was still pretty damn close to zero. His only real crime that I can see is starting the pit thread in first place (lordy save us all from such heinous crimes). IMO a good fraction of those giving him grief (but not all, some are decently thoughtful/logical posts chastising the OP) are even more entitled, stupid, illogical complaining pricks than the OP ever was. And I say this as someone who has much sympathy for handicapped folks, knows a few, and as best as I can remember has never for any reason parked in a handicapped spot in first place (even in the damn middle of the night in an empty parking lot with the businesses closed). But hey, this is the pit where everybody gets to be an ass so carry on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=14)