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Parent & Child Parking Spaces - A Poll

  • 16-07-2012 12:51PM
    #1
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    The question: Do you park in the parent and child spaces at the supermarket/shopping centre?

    I am childless and have no qualms about parking in these myself and from looking at other people parking, it appears most don't either. However, in the 6 years of going to the same supermarket a few times per week, I have had an angry mother or two come ranting at me over me parking there. In response, I've offered to call the Gardai and have them come and sort it out, but they never seem to want to take up my offer :confused:

    My reasoning: Having kids is a personal choice and good for you if you do it, however I'm not going to let someone else's personal choices infringe on me where possible. I look at the P&C spaces as being the same as a space marked for Porsche drivers i.e they can f*ck right off if they think I'm not going to park in a space near to the door that isn't allotted to those with disabilities.

    Before someone brings it up, they're not the same as disabled spaces so don't go there. In fact, if you feel you having kids is a disability then you'd really want to take a long hard look at yourself.

    On another note, why is it that they seem to only use pictures of a woman + child to mark these spaces? Bit unfair on Dads out there, is it not?

    Anonymous poll added.

    Do you park in Parent & Child designated spaces? 263 votes

    Yes (I have small children)
    0% 0 votes
    No (I have small children)
    51% 136 votes
    Yes (I have no children)
    6% 17 votes
    No (I have no children)
    41% 110 votes


«134567…14

Comments

  • #2
    SocSocPol
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,043 ✭✭✭SocSocPol


    Cant find the poll on the Troll thread


  • #3
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    No. Thread needs actual poll.

    Also do you park in handicapped places, while handicapped people make handicapped faces?


  • #4
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    Poll just appeared now. You've to submit the thread before you can add the poll, FYI.


  • #5
    westendgirlie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,125 ✭✭✭westendgirlie


    Where's the Yes and I have big children option???


  • #6
    smash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,808 ✭✭✭✭smash


    WolfgangWeisen wrote: »
    My reasoning: Having kids is a personal choice and good for you if you do it, however I'm not going to let someone else's personal choices infringe on me where possible. I look at the P&C spaces as being the same as a space marked for Porsche drivers i.e they can f*ck right off if they think I'm not going to park in a space near to the door that isn't allotted to those with disabilities.

    Aren't you a fine specimen of humanity.


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  • #7
    Yakult
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 7,943 Mod ✭✭✭✭Yakult


    Sometimes.


  • #8
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    westendgirlie wrote: »
    Where's the Yes and I have big children option???
    It should probably just be Yes (I have children). However, having big kids is the same as having no kids in the eyes of these spaces, as they're there for those with small kids (apparently!) ;)


  • #9
    dan1895
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,597 ✭✭✭dan1895


    I see these spaces more to stop kids needing to be walking around a potentially busy and dangerous car park rather than a convenience for the parent.


  • #10
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    Would the extra walk really kill you?

    Leave the spaces free so the kids are less likely to get hit by a reversing car while crossing the car park.

    I have no kids and I don't use the parent and child parking.


  • #11
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    dan1895 wrote: »
    I see these spaces more to stop kids needing to be walking around a potentially busy and dangerous car park rather than a convenience for the parent.
    I haven't read of too many accidents or deaths involving kids in carparks to be honest. Although safety should always be a concern, it should always be implemented in a realistic manner would be my opinion i.e not OTT to the point of inconvenience.

    Although, with that being said, almost all carparks I've been in over the past few years have lined walkways on both sides of the traffic stream, which is something they didn't have when I was growing up. That's reasonable, I believe, without being OTT.


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  • #12
    westendgirlie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,125 ✭✭✭westendgirlie


    WolfgangWeisen wrote: »
    It should probably just be Yes (I have children). However, having big kids is the same as having no kids in the eyes of these spaces, as they're there for those with small kids (apparently!) ;)

    Well that really is discriminating against BIG kids.

    :)


  • #13
    smash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,808 ✭✭✭✭smash


    WolfgangWeisen wrote: »
    Although safety should always be a concern, it should always be implemented in a realistic manner would be my opinion i.e not OTT to the point of inconvenience.

    It is, the only people being inconvenienced are the parents who's spots you're taking.


  • #14
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    hardCopy wrote: »
    Would the extra walk really kill you?

    If I go to the supermarket 3 times per week and walk an extra 30 seconds to/from my car, that means I take an unnecessary 159 minutes or 2 hours 39 minutes per year out of my life to accomodate somebody else's life choices.

    I don't really see a reason why I would do that.

    If kids start being hurt/killed en mass in carparks then by all means, go for it, but as far as I'm aware there isn't a problem with this happening these days.


  • #15
    donutheadhomer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭donutheadhomer


    There is one near me called a "Mother and Child" space. Can I not park there being a "Father and Child"?


  • #16
    Bad Panda
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,205 ✭✭✭Bad Panda


    hardCopy wrote: »
    Would the extra walk really kill you?

    Leave the spaces free so the kids are less likely to get hit by a reversing car while crossing the car park.

    I have no kids and I don't use the parent and child parking.

    There's hardly (if any?) incidents such as these. So shelter them in a carpark where the maximum speed is very low and let them run wild on the streets?

    This isn't a valid argument imo.

    I don't park in them, because I don't care that much to be honest, but I can see where the OP is coming from.


  • #17
    xzanti
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 10,464 Mod ✭✭✭✭xzanti


    dan1895 wrote: »
    I see these spaces more to stop kids needing to be walking around a potentially busy and dangerous car park rather than a convenience for the parent.

    Also to minimise walking distance to the shop if it's lashing rain and you have a baby in a buggy/car seat.. and they're extra wide for easy access to the vehicle with said baby/car seat..


  • #18
    eviltwin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,495 ✭✭✭✭eviltwin


    I have a two yr old so I tend not to use them anymore, not that I used them much when he was a baby either. I think they are handy but the sense of entitlement some parents have over them is insane. Fair enough if you have a child seat that requires the car door to be opened as far as possible but its laughable to see parents with walking children get precious over them.

    These things were never around when my teenager was a baby and we just got on with it. First world problems eh?


  • #19
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    smash wrote: »
    It is, the only people being inconvenienced are the parents who's spots you're taking.
    You don't deserve special treatment for merely having done something that every living thing on this planet can do, to be honest. The enormous sense of entitlement on display from parent's these days is remarkable, to say the least. A completely undeserved sense of entitlement, I will add.


  • #20
    Paparazzo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,395 ✭✭✭Paparazzo


    Parent and baby spaces are wider so you can get your kids out of the car easier. Sometimes it's really difficult in normal size spaces.
    But well done OP, the world needs more people like you, standing up to mothers with kids. You're a real hero, I'd say your own mother would be proud


  • #21
    meoklmrk91
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,083 ✭✭✭meoklmrk91


    I will try to find another spot as I know getting out of the car with a baby, small child is quite the trail especially if they have more than one and have to get them into buggies etc. However if there is no spaces left within a reasonable distance then I will use them. Especially seeing as my local supermarket seems to have been over zealous in their parent and and child and dare I say disabled spots, these are always empty and it can be really hard to get a spot, I rarely have to resort to taking a parent and child spot though.

    Op sounds like you just take these spots in the hope of pissing people off.


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  • #22
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    eviltwin wrote: »
    I have a two yr old so I tend not to use them anymore, not that I used them much when he was a baby either. I think they are handy but the sense of entitlement some parents have over them is insane. Fair enough if you have a child seat that requires the car door to be opened as far as possible but its laughable to see parents with walking children get precious over them.

    These things were never around when my teenager was a baby and we just got on with it. First world problems eh?
    How did you manage to do that?!

    From what some parent's claim here, it's utterly amazing that your kid wasn't run down and killed when in the carpark without P&C spaces. What a miracle!

    ;)


  • #23
    Rabies
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,257 ✭✭✭✭Rabies


    I park in them if there is no other spaces free. Wouldn't park in a disabled spot though.

    A shopping centre near me has installed elderly parking spots. I think that is a step too far. If they're mobile they can park in a normal spot or get a disabled sticker.


  • #24
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    meoklmrk91 wrote: »
    Op sounds like you just take these spots in the hope of pissing people off.

    No, I take these spots in the hopes of minimizing the distance to/from the supermarket/shopping centre door, so I've less walking to do and less carrying of groceries/shopping on the way back.

    I will admit that on the 2 occasions (in 6 years of going there) that someone kicked off at me I did have an excellent laugh at their expense though.


  • #25
    smash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,808 ✭✭✭✭smash


    Bad Panda wrote: »
    but I can see where the OP is coming from.

    I can't. He's talking about other people's life choices affecting his commute to the shop by a whole 30 seconds if even.

    The shops have designated these spaces for a reason, and have assigned rules to these spaces. He has a choice about parking there, but he shouldn't do it. Personally, I hope he gets clamped repeatedly.

    It is awkward for a parent with a child, or a pregnant woman to have to walk a distance to their vehicle. OP is just a lazy git with a chip on his shoulder. Families will probably spend more money with the shop too.
    WolfgangWeisen wrote: »
    You don't deserve special treatment for merely having done something that every living thing on this planet can do, to be honest. The enormous sense of entitlement on display from parent's these days is remarkable, to say the least. A completely undeserved sense of entitlement, I will add.
    That's your opinion, it's not the opinion of the shop so disregard your opinion and obey the rules of establishment owners when you use their services.


  • #26
    Mr. Manager
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,139 ✭✭✭✭Mr. Manager


    I used to go out of my way to park in these spaces, I totally disagree with them.

    About 2 years I was up at Artane Castle and some lad parked in one of those spots with his kid, got out and was told by some car park attendant that they were mother and child spaces and that he'd need to move his car.

    The signs have since been changed to parent and child spaces.


  • #27
    orchidsrpretty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,154 ✭✭✭orchidsrpretty


    Since my sister had a baby, I wouldn't park in them as I can see how they are needed, as you have to open the door fully to get a child out of the car seat. It bugs me seeing other people using them(and the disabled spots). People are selfish though and will just do whatever they want.


  • #28
    WolfgangWeisen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭WolfgangWeisen


    Rabies wrote: »
    I park in them if there is no other spaces free. Wouldn't park in a disabled spot though.

    A shopping centre near me has installed elderly parking spots. I think that is a step too far. If they're mobile they can park in a normal spot or get a disabled sticker.
    Yeah, parking in the disabled spot is being an absolute c*nt in fairness.

    With regards to the elderly spots, you're right. If an elderly person has bad legs or has trouble walking, they're generally able to get a disabled badge for the car without any trouble. In fact, those that have problems with their legs most likely already have one and use the disabled spaces, rendering the additional spaces redundant.


  • #29
    tiny_penguin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,090 ✭✭✭tiny_penguin


    Rabies wrote: »
    I park in them if there is no other spaces free. Wouldn't park in a disabled spot though.

    A shopping centre near me has installed elderly parking spots. I think that is a step too far. If they're mobile they can park in a normal spot or get a disabled sticker.

    Whats the symbol on those ones?

    I would only park in the P&C space if its the only space available. I dont really think its necessary to have them - like was said before our parents did fine in car parks without them. However it doesnt bother me that they are there, and if the only free space was one of these I would have no problem using it - otherwise it makes little to no difference that I am parked slightly further from the door. The more walking the better!


  • #30
    Treanor2011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭Treanor2011


    The spaces are bigger so if someone has a newborn and a toddler for example the buggies and doors open wont bother the single person parking next to them .


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  • #31
    Rabies
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,257 ✭✭✭✭Rabies


    tiny_penguin wrote: »
    Whats the symbol on those ones?

    I would only park in the P&C space if its the only space available. I dont really think its necessary to have them - like was said before our parents did fine in car parks without them. However it doesnt bother me that they are there, and if the only free space was one of these I would have no problem using it - otherwise it makes little to no difference that I am parked slightly further from the door. The more walking the better!

    They are the same size as a disabled parking spot, and located beside them.
    Symbol of a man and woman separated by a line. A sign post at the kerb saying elderly parking.

    It was in Westfield Albany Shopping Centre. Only a few km from Ireland :D


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