# "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:** 3
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/41 "2011-06-13T18:22:54Z")
Just to play devil’s advocate. Was the OP taking up the ONLY handicaped space (or the only one still open)? Or just A handicapped space, with others still available. And were they loading/unloading something REALLY big/heavy/bulky where the car would literally not be unattended with somebody right there the whole time? Or was it a park, leave the vehicle unattended for a “few moments” (that often turns in minutes). That makes the difference between a handicapped person not being able to get any decent spot and just not getting the one they want. And/or it makes a difference between the handicapped person having to wait a few moments because its obvious whats going on and the spot will be cleared shortly versus the handicapped person sitting there wondering WTF is going on and when the hell will somebody be back? And then, was it something like I’d rather not carry two bags of groceries a hundred feet or was it I’d rather not haul a 200 lb box of IKEA crap to the far side of the parking lot. Or in other words, IMO its possible for this to at least be borderline okay rather than thats what Hitler would do too. But, if I had to bet, statistically speaking, it was likey a selfish dick move. ---
**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 13, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/42 "2011-06-13T18:26:18Z")
\*\* billfish678\*\*, the OP makes it clear this is a regular practice. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/43 "2011-06-13T18:32:56Z")
If your load is so fucking heavy, find a fucking hand truck, for fuck’s sake. What the fuck is so fucking hard about that, fuckhead? Ah, that felt good. Thanks for a golden opportunity to do that. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/44 "2011-06-13T18:36:16Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > I’ve loaded in from “taxis only” spots, fire lanes, “handicapped” spots, on street corners, and double parked in traffic if I’m not going to be away from the car for more than 60 seconds. I think that the posters giving you a hard time because you were in a handicapped spot are missing the big picture. You are so full of your own importance that you will violate any parking restrictions to make yourself happy. You simply treat handicapped people equally with the rest of the world, spitting on everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/45 "2011-06-13T18:38:01Z")
I got used to the concept of handicapped spaces when we used to chaffeur my mother around. More than once, I’d park and hang the sign on the mirror. By the time, I got out and around to help her out of the car, I’d be yelled at by some sanctimonious asshole who saw only (apparently) healthy me parking in a blue zone. I loved how they would speed off when I opened up the walker for her. Having said that…dude, you are out of line. If I found your car like that, you’d probably wind up with an unpleasant surprise in that open trunk. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/46 "2011-06-13T18:38:13Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > \*\* billfish678\*\*, the OP makes it clear this is a regular practice. Looks that way. Just defending the (alternate) hypothetical here 🙂 And all you “the laws the law” folks might want to keep a better eye on your speedometers 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/47 "2011-06-13T18:39:37Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Case #1: I’ve never gotten in trouble for any manner of illegal parking when I’m loading or unloading for a gig. Often this happens in plain sight of police officers. Good to know you were doing something of vital importance to society. ---
**Author:** ![elninost0rm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@elninost0rm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elninost0rm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/48 "2011-06-13T18:39:45Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > I think that the posters giving you a hard time because you were in a handicapped spot are missing the big picture. > > You are so full of your own importance that you will violate any parking restrictions to make yourself happy. You simply treat handicapped people equally with the rest of the world, spitting on everyone. Oh, thank goodness you cleared that right up for me. I thought he was just a self-absorbed blowhard. His strive for equality is the silver lining! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/49 "2011-06-13T18:40:46Z")
Be an ass if you must. Just don’t get defensive when someone calls you on being an ass. But then, being defensive about being called an ass is an ass thing to do too, so I guess it’s consistent behavior. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/50 "2011-06-13T18:43:29Z")
> [@stretch](#): > > Where I live, “commercial” streets allow double-parking for unloading and delivery. I work on a commercial street. A truck can park in the middle of it for hours during delivery and they are not breaking the law. I cannot park in the middle of the street for any reason or I will be breaking the law. Check your local ordinances. > > OP is an asshole. One of the greatest pleasures of my life was calling the police on the Fed Ex truck that thought it could do this with impunity on 12th Street around the old Post Office in DC. Added a good 10 minutes onto everyones commute when there were spots half a block away that wouldn’t impede traffic. And he did it every day. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/51 "2011-06-13T18:50:24Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Case #1: I haven’t been caught yet. > > Case #2: Everyone else does it. > Fail. Um, no. My point in that post is that when I pull up in front of the bar I’m going to play at for the evening to unload, and I’m not in an official parking spot, I have been ‘caught’ and given _approval_. No one involved in enforcing the laws care; they see I’m by the car, they see me carrying equipment into an establishment, and they allow it. > [@davidm](#): > > And suppose that during those 10 quick inconsequential minutes a _physically_ handicapped person needs that spot and can’t get it? He or she could have pulled into either of the other two empty handicapped parking spots available. > [@fluiddruid](#): > > The other day I was eating a burrito I found in the work fridge. Pretty sure it belonged to that fatty I work with, but it’s not like they need it. I heated it up in the microwave and man, that leaked everywhere while I was helping myself to the last of the coffee without making more. I figured I’d cap the whole thing off by making some popcorn, but that burrito was so delicious, I forgot all about it and it burnt. Pain in the ass. > > Anyway, so I’m eating my burrito and some bitch told me I was being inconsiderate for some reason. I know, right? She couldn’t be more wrong. Yeah, and then I punched a guy in the face, and fucked his wife, and he had the gall to ask me to pull out. What was up with that!? IOW, what the fuck point are you trying to make? Analogy fail. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Fuck the handicapped _and_ their special parking places. I mean, its not like they are _really_ people after all. Yes, because like I said in the OP, I hate handicapped people, and I hate that they have handicapped parking spots. I think handicapped parking spots are stupid! Oh wait, I didn’t say that at all. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The main problem of the OP is coming here and whining about being called on his/her lawbreaking. Fine - park in a handicapped spot because you “need it just for a moment”. But then don’t whine and bitch when someone tells you you’re in the wrong. You _were_ wrong. You chose your path - live with it. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Do people break the law or do other things they know are wrong? Yes, all the time. > > But acknowledge that you’re doing something wrong and don’t become self-righteous and defensive when somebody points that out. Well, I didn’t become self-righteous and defensive or whine to her. I said with a smile, “I’m just loading some things into my car,” and went on my merry way. I think what got my goat about it the most, which maybe didn’t come off clearly in the OP, is that the woman was neither handicapped nor parking enforcement, and decided to make my business her business. If, when I had gone into the building to grab my piano, I had been ticketed (by a blindingly fast policeman), I wouldn’t be pissed at him. I was in the spot, I brought the ticket on myself. No biggie. When a stranger comes along and says, “you shouldn’t do that,” when whatever I’m doing is not affecting/inconveniencing her in the slightest, she is being a jerk to me. It is, in fact, not her business. I don’t roll down my window at stop lights and yell to the guy stopped next to me, “the speed limit was 35, you know?” That would make me a jerk, even if he had been going over 35. The handicapped spot is a red herring. I’m totally willing to accept the consequences of my choice to use it as a loading zone. My problem is that strangers telling me how to act pisses me off. > [@stretch](#): > > Where I live, “commercial” streets allow double-parking for unloading and delivery. I work on a commercial street. A truck can park in the middle of it for hours during delivery and they are not breaking the law. I cannot park in the middle of the street for any reason or I will be breaking the law. Check your local ordinances. Interesting. > [@stretch](#): > > OP is an asshole. Interesting. > [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Justify it all you want, you’re a bad person. There are some things you just shouldn’t do no matter how lazy you are. Interesting. 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, but watch your back or you’ll end up needing a handicapped space), and b) a bad person. Oooooh! That guy did something I don’t like, he must be a BAD PERSON!!! You’re right, there are some things you just shouldn’t do. It’s nice to know that now I can just be bad, because I am a BAD PERSON, so people should stop expecting me to be nice from now on. Fuckers. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/52 "2011-06-13T18:57:07Z")
I think you should just drive right up onto the sidewalk and park next to the door of the building. That’ll gain you a good 5-10 feet right there, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/53 "2011-06-13T18:57:52Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Look, it’s no skin off my back if you choose to call me names. So, it’s not skin off your back if someone calls you names, but you had a knot in your knickers for the whole 15 minutes it took you to drive home and post this pit thread because someone said “you shouldn’t do that”? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/54 "2011-06-13T18:59:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I’m sure that defense would have worked brilliantly if you had gotten a ticket. > > “Yes, Your Honor, I was parked in the handicap space. But as the court is surely aware, there’s a tacit level of approval for bending these sorts of rules.” See above. I know for sure that that would not be a legitimate defense. I got off track by trying to justify the “rightness” of what I did. It’s not really the point I’m trying to make here. > [@villa](#): > > Good to know you were doing something of vital importance to society. Oh, did I mention the gig was a benefit for a teenager who has lukemia, so there ya go. Wait, no, that was the last time I had to load and unload at this site, my bad. Still, way to put a value judgment on the “worth” of my work. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/55 "2011-06-13T19:05:24Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I think you should just drive right up onto the sidewalk and park next to the door of the building. That’ll gain you a good 5-10 feet right there, at least. I’ve done that (it’s a sidewalk made for little campus service vehicles to get around on, so it is wide enough for my car), as have the faculty/administrators who staff the building when they’re moving large or delicate instruments (like a glockenspiel or timpani), but I don’t like to do that, because then I truly am impeding access to the building via the sidewalk through the side door. In the handicapped spot at the end of the sidewalk I am less of an inconvenience for **everybody** , handicapped and non-handicapped alike, than if I blocked the sidewalk. I’m pretty sure you’re being sarcastic, but driving on the sidewalk in this case is exactly how some things get loaded into and out of this building. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/56 "2011-06-13T19:14:41Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > So, it’s not skin off your back if someone calls you names, but you had a knot in your knickers for the whole 15 minutes it took you to drive home and post this pit thread because someone said “you shouldn’t do that”? Yes. I mean no. I mean . . . GAAAH!!! **disappears in a puff of smoke, imploding due to the genius-level analysis of my own seemingly contradictory responses to situations of similar but not identical circumstances** If I started a thread every time I thought someone was rude to me on the internet, I’d have a full time job. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/57 "2011-06-13T19:22:31Z")
I never thought about this subject too much, although maybe I should have, until I dated a woman who’s brother is wheelchair-bound. She used to get out of the car at restaurants and stores and say the exact same thing to people and I would cringe, thinking ‘this is none of our business’ then she explained how often her brother winds up struggling in the rain, trying to get his wheelchair out on lopsided curbs, next to mud puddles, etc. while able-bodied people filled up the handicap parking with all their various personal rationalizations why it is OK. It isn’t OK. And people who speak up about it to strangers are courageous, not self-righteous bitches. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/58 "2011-06-13T19:25:31Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > However, did you notice that I was lugging heavy equipment into my car? And as I was leaving the vehicle, the trunk remained open, and my hazard lights were on? “THAT MAN SHOT THE PRESIDENT!” “Wait, it’s okay – he has his hazard lights on!” ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/59 "2011-06-13T19:27:52Z")
> [@](#): > > I think what got my goat about it the most, which maybe didn’t come off clearly in the OP, is that the woman was neither handicapped nor parking enforcement, and decided to make my business her business. If, when I had gone into the building to grab my piano, I had been ticketed (by a blindingly fast policeman), I wouldn’t be pissed at him. I was in the spot, I brought the ticket on myself. No biggie. > > When a stranger comes along and says, “you shouldn’t do that,” when whatever I’m doing is not affecting/inconveniencing her in the slightest, she is being a jerk to me. It is, in fact, not her business. How do you know that she wasn’t handicapped? A lot of people don’t have plates, but have hang tags. And how do you know that she doesn’t have a handicapped SO, parent, child? It is, in fact, the business of everyone to make sure that society’s rules and laws are enforced. Should someone who sees vandalism occur just shrug and ignore it, if it’s not their house or business? Should someone who sees someone shoplifting not inform the store that there’s a thief? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328/60 "2011-06-13T19:31:17Z")
I think **Crazyhorse** wins the thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-thats-handicapped-parking-spot/585328.md?page=4)