It finally came to blows for me over those special-space accommodations for the most-recently-anointed, protected class of drivers, “People with Infants”.
Seriously?! As caretaker for my elderly parents who can ambulate only with the help of walkers, I’m all too familiar with the benefit of parking the car as close as possible to the door of wherever we’re going. And, regarding any individuals who are validly handicapped … of course they’re entitled to reserved spots in the lot.
But people totin’ tots?! What makes them, “special needs”? That they have to access the car-seat/stroller equipment that, itself, is the size of a Mini Cooper? Or is carrying the kid and the diaper bag all the way to the entrance really a hardship? I don’t get it.
It culminated last week when, as always, I ignored the posted sign in the lot of my Member Club Superstore and pulled my car – with no passengers of any age – into an empty spot 20 feet from the door. No sooner had I turned-off the ignition when I spot a 30’s-ish woman standing at the front of my car, staring a hole in me, vigorously pointing to the red sign. I ignored her, looked down and reached for my handbag.
“These are for people with kids,” she shouted loudly enough to be heard through my closed car windows.
I stepped out of my car, turned to her, scouring, and said, “Whaaat!?”’ She repeated herself.
“Who are you, the Parking Police?” I inquired. She turned and walked away, muttering something about “some people” and “no respect”.
“Wait a minute!” I fired back, “I’m just as entitled as YOU are to park in the ‘infants’ space. I’m BABY-ing my sore knee!”
She was not amused.