OT: I hate people milking the system
Papi_Chulo
Miami, FL (or the nearest big-booty club)
IDK about where you live but here in Miami one *constantly* sees people parking in handicapped spaces where they don't seem to be disabled at all; I'm talking about people in the their 20s and 30s - I mean; if you park in a handicapped spot; and then walk out w/ no impairment visible; and walk a big ass Walmart w/ no issues; I doubt that you are that handicapped to need to use that space - if the person is 65+ one can let it slide but young people doing this shit pisses me off.
I am at a Starbucks right now; I'm parking and I see a couple that are in their early-20s parking in the handicap spot - I get behind them in line and said fuck-it and I ask them why they are parked there since they don't seem disabled to me - the girl tells me she has a "visual impairment" yet I see her walk in w/ no assistance; use the credit-card reader w/ no issues; and walk about w/ no issues or assistance - that shit pisses me off and is rampant down here in Miami where one sees the handicap spaces constantly occupied by seemingly abled-bodied people - e.g. if you can walk an entire Super-Walmart and shop for an hour; IMO you do not need a handicap spot - SMH.
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I have a handicap placard. I do use it at times, but often do not. It is due to my foot injury and repair. Yes, I can walk quite a distance and no one would feel the pain I feel. But, you see, pain doesn't always show.
Now what I hate is seeing obvious things. I saw DOMINO'S PIZZA driver pull into a handicap space right in front of the shop. I asked if he had a placard to park there, he said, "Fuck you. " I shot him dead. (Kidding) What I did do is walk in the shop and tried to speak to the manager. He wasn't in. Well who is in charge? Looked like some high school dropout. I explained it to him. His response, "I can't do anything about what he says or where he parks." I turned and walked out.
Now I know this shopping area well and know the police watch that ILLEGAL activity closely and one was in the lot. I stop him and told him the situation. By this time the driver was gone, but he went into the store and pretty much read them the riot act. I enjoyed that immensely!
Another example is when you go to a grocery store and you'll see kids riding around on those motorized carts designed for people who can't walk thru the store. And then when a person who actually needs it enters the store....they can't use it because kids are playing around on it
Every once in a while local news reporters will do stings and then confront the people on camera and like 90% fess up and say they don't really need-it.
I know what you mean about a disability often not been able to be visible and why if it's an older person one kinda gives them the benefit of the doubt - but some of these 20 - 40-somethings that I see using the spots look in better shape than me.
With that being said I lost my dad earlier this year he was 92 years young. The last 3 years I was his chauffeur as he stopped driving and many places we would go he had a handicapped pass that I would Place in my car when I would take him to the store or to a restaurant. He walked slowly and resented using a cane or a walker so it was easier to park close to where he was going. He also tired easily so sometimes he would stop and rest for a few moments before continuing. There were a few times when people would make rude comments about me using the handicapped space because they didn't realize how old my pop was he looked 15 years younger than he was and conversationally he appeared fine so folks would assume the worst. My point is sometimes a persons disability is not obvious so it is best not to judge without knowing all of the facts.
If they arrive on time and the parking is deemed illegal, the fines are usually quite hefty!
The people playing on the grocery store carts really pisses me off.
If they don't have a placard, they shouldn't be parking there
Now I'll tell you the crust of the problem. This was a high income area where we "normai", people are second class. I guess my Harley attire didn't rate. I have contacted corporate, but heard nothing, not that I expected to.
If one uses a placard, THEY have to leave the vehicle and go to wherever. Also, in Florida, I can use my placard in a "baby spot" if the handicaps are full.
Personally, I only use it when my foot is already hurting, or I know it will be before my return. Another point. When the doctor authorized the pass, he made it lifetime. I ask why, and he said, my foot would only progress so far and never be "OK" again. As an example, our last Tootsie meet, I had no spots available, and by the time I returned to my vehicle, it was "paining" pretty good. Problem is, part of the foot is bone grafted, fused and screwed together. The rest is normal, so I think they fight each other. :) And one other downside is that part of the fixed part is the big toe part. I could add, same foot where I was shot and also have broken the ankle. I have 16 healed "holes" in it that weren't there before. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S7AyiVf…
A gray area where it is legal I believe is if they are in the vehicle and want me to park in a handicap spot and have me run in the store while they sit in the car. They are worse now so that has stopped.
As far as a few items over a 15 or 20 limit, I've had cashiers tell me I could get checked out in such a line because they were empty and just standing around doing nothing. Now when someone comes up behind me and sees like 30 items I have, that is why I'm checking out in that space. I don't think I need to apologize or explain to anyone who walks up behind me. They might get upset and say nothing but that is why that happened a few times in my case. If they are quick, I see no reason to get upset.
When I'm alone, I usually park far across the parking lot near an empty shopping cart return area and pick any aisle that is self checkout or not a 20 item or less aisle if I have a lot of stuff.
As far as illegally parking in handicap spots, it is only legal I believe if you have a handicap placard or license plate and the handicap person is with you. All others should get ticketed unless they are really handicapped and want to explain it to an officer. There are a lot of jerks out there not interested in walking.
Some places didn't design their parking lot well it before they built the building and have the handicap spots far from the entrance and don't have the curb with the fire hydrant marked as and no parking area. The church I go to has these problems. I keep wondering if I should say something but then someone may want me to help fix the problems. It's a hazard to everyone in church if someone parks along the curb with the fire hydrant. My handicapped relative can barely make it into church if much walking is required. Probably not going to make it anymore. Too much walking unless we get there 30 minutes early.
She said something about enjoying church. I'm like wtf? I don't ever remember enjoying church unless some young girl in a short skirt or shorts sat in front of me. It usually feels like an hour of torture.
We've all been in this situation, and I for one, do get pissed off when people go through express lines with obviously too many items. I don't consider myself a special case that is exempt from the rules everyone else has to follow.
Because I consider it rude I will not accept an offer to go through express when I don't qualify. If I did, I know I would be unjustly slowing down the next customer who qualifies. It is simply being considerate and having a little humility.
The worst is when someone splits their order in two in order to be under the limit, the husband and wife each paying separately. First it goes against the spirit of express, second it takes even longer than keeping it one order.
:-)
"And I always thought clubber got his name because he goes to clubs, not because of his foot."
Good one, but the foot became an issue just a few years ago. I joined TUSCL in 2000.
Look closely at my avatar and you'' get it. I wish the gifs would work, founder!
If they don't have one of those, I have a problem. :)
Because I am like Papi..... It pisses me off to now extent.
I have a family member who is handicap since birth. Many time when I am with and go places I don't park in a handicap spot even though I have a sticker because I am able body and can get him in and out of the vehicle into his wheel chair. The only time I use those spots is in extreme cold or rain.
Yet I have seen people park in the HC spot with a sticker to only have an able body person run into the store for an errand. I have seen people park in the HC spot who don't have stickers..... I have see people and confronted them on why they have one..... It was one they kept on renewing from a past injury....IE: broken leg or something and just keep renewing it with out having to submit proper paperwork. All bullshit things.
It is people who take up a spot and don't even get out. School zones are dropping kids off. These people I am talking about park there and wait for the people to run errands.... which could take 30+ mins.
These people are abusing a system and taking spots from people who need them. elderly people who I have seen fallen because handicap spots are taken. These elderly have to walk further than needed in icy situations. It happened this morning! People in wheel chairs who need those spots because of the room to get in and out of a vehicle. then they get blocked in because normal parking spots are not big enough. I could go on and on.