parent and child spaces

[smithers]

why is there more disabled parking spaces than parent and child spaces in supermarket car parks. i agree that disabled people require to be closer to the entrance but there seem to be too many of them?

[geofbob]

I guess simply because disabled people need to use their cars to go to the supermarket, but people with children don't. The latter have the choice of using other transport, or leaving their children at home.

[Stewart]

A pet topic of mine. Why should supermarkets provide special facilities for people with children, to the inconvenience of those who don't? Having children is a lifestyle choice (unlike disability) and also special parking facilities for parents have no "official" status. For info, I wholeheartedly respect, and never park in, disabled spaces, and condemn those selfish people who do. As a follow up, why is it that they often drive luxury German cars?

[smithers]

parents are valuable customers to supermarkets as they are more likely to spend more benjamins than the average bear. so back to the point a. the disabled spaces are never full b. have you ever tried to get two toddlers out of a car through a busy car park and into a shop in the pi**ing rain c. "a lifestyle choice" i am sorry for reproducing and continuing the human race's existence, i think u r being a bit harsh.... respond please!

[Stewart]

Seems like I stirred things up a bit there! I agree that, in principle, people with kids may spend more than those without, all other things being equal. That being so perhaps we should have preferential parking for people driving cars under 2 years old, or who got paid in the last 2 days, or who have a Gold credit card. A new use for Reward Points perhaps. ;-) I go back to the fact that people are not forced to have children. It is a choice, balancing factors including the knowledge they they may have to do the sort of things that you describe so eloquently, in exchange for other, more pleasurable experiences. Without trying to cause offence, if someone's sole motive for having children were to continue the human race then they are a highly admirable and selfless, if somewhat misguided, person. On the topic in hand, it would be a tragedy indeed if all disabled spaces were full, and an old woman with a zimmer frame had to park at the far end of the car park, because she didn't have a small child! Smithers, please accept this response in the spirit in which it is intended. It is my slightly exaggerated, tongue in cheek opinion as part of a lively debate, and not a personal attack on you or any other people with children!

[smithers]

fair do's stew pot !

[Leg of lamb]

I use the supermarket as much as the next person, and as a single person I find it highly patronising to have to park further away than parents with children. Thirty years ago 'negroes' had to sit at the back of the bus in the deep south. I deliberately park in parent/child spaces because I refuse to be desriminated against. I pay my taxes and my money is as good as any parents. If parents are inconvenienced - too bad. Tie a knot in it!

[1mrcabbage]

The car park belongs to the supermarket and it's up to them to mark it out how they want and I bet there is a good commercial reason for having parent & child spaces (otherwise, they wouldn't bother). If you don't like it, you either make your point in a civil manner to the supermarket or you take your custom elsewhere - simple as that. Taking spaces which are not intended for you is just stupid and childish (awful pun I know!)

[smithers]

Dear 1mrcabbage are you angry with ned or Leg of Lamb?