"Jean B." > wrote:

> And her excuse: "I have
> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
> example she set for those children....

And going even farther away from the OP:

Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
"Customers With Children".

Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. It's discriminatory,
for one. OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
thew store to grab their hands.

Second of all, my mother has children. What's to keep her from
parking there? They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
but she is a customer with children.

Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
from 8AM to 3PM.

And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
there. Weird.

-sw

On Mar 29, 8:20*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote:
> > And her excuse: *"I have
> > children in the car!" *I was thinking of the wonderful
> > example she set for those children....
>
> And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children". *
>
> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. *It's discriminatory,
> for one. *OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
> store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
> traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
> thew store to grab their hands.
>
> Second of all, my mother has children. *What's to keep her from
> parking there? *They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
> but she is a customer with children.
>
> Third: *It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
> from 8AM to 3PM.
>
> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> there. *Weird.

Babies R Us always had spots near the door for expectant mothers.
That was nice. The children thing at the grocer is stupid.

Now that my wife reads this NG, I'm going to have to start behaving
better. Fat chance.
>
> -sw

--Bryan

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>
> And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children".

Sound OK to me. Those kids are tired from playing video games and a few
extra steps could incapacitate them.

Personally, I just ignore them and park in them as I see fit. My bad knees
outweigh the difficulty of walking with a toddler. My wife, OTOH, has a
handicapped permit and if the HC spots are filled, she still won't park in
the child spots.


>
> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> there. Weird.

Most probably feel embarrased by them. Dumb idea.

Oh, we forgot to mention employee parking. I love it when the store
employees take the first few spots too. They are instructed not to in most
stores, but some park close anyway and tie up a spot for 8 hours and the
elderly have to walk further in the rain or cold. Just plain ignorance and
yes, I've complained. There is a bank branch in the supermarket and a bank
employee parked in one close to the door. Meantime, an old lady had to walk
much further. I told the manager and she sent the person out to move her
car.

On Mar 29, 9:24*pm, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>
> > And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> > Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> > law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> > "Customers With Children".
>
> Sound OK to me. *Those kids are tired from playing video games and a few
> extra steps could incapacitate them.

My 7 YO sent out his first email today. I'm totally hip to him using
the computer, but NEVER to play video games. They are verboten.
>
> Personally, I just ignore them and park in them as I see fit. *My bad knees
> outweigh the difficulty of walking with a toddler. My wife, OTOH, has a
> handicapped permit and if the HC spots are filled, she still won't park in
> the child spots.
>
Silly girl. Those spots should be overflow disabled.
>
> > And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> > there. *Weird.
>
> Most probably feel embarrased by them. *Dumb idea.
>
> Oh, we forgot to mention employee parking. *I love it when the store
> employees take the first few spots too. *They are instructed not to in most
> stores, but some park close anyway and tie up a spot for 8 hours and the
> elderly have to walk further in the rain or cold. *Just plain ignorance and
> yes, I've complained. *There is a bank branch in the supermarket and a bank
> employee parked in one close to the door. Meantime, an old lady had to walk
> much further. * I told the manager and she sent the person out to move her
> car.

Good for you. If a few more citizens were proactive like that, things
would improve.

--Bryan

In article >,
Sqwertz > wrote:

> "Jean B." > wrote:
>
> > And her excuse: "I have
> > children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
> > example she set for those children....
>
> And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children".
>
> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. It's discriminatory,
> for one. OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
> store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
> traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
> thew store to grab their hands.
>
> Second of all, my mother has children. What's to keep her from
> parking there? They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
> but she is a customer with children.
>
> Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
> from 8AM to 3PM.

Are you thinking about kids in school? If they are old enough to go to
school, aren't they old enough to walk a little distance to the store?
I've done that dance in the parking lot with a baby in the stroller and
another kid not old enough to know any better. It's a challenge.
Having a parking spot closer to the store would have helped. When my
kids got older, I parked in the back of the parking lot. You should
have heard the whines!

> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> there. Weird.

Does your mother park there? Maybe parents with older children are
smart enough to figure out that they don't need those spots, but smart
enough to remember just a few years back when they did, and so they
leave those spots for those who really need them.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

In article
>,
Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:

> On Mar 29, 8:20*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> > "Jean B." > wrote:
> > > And her excuse: *"I have
> > > children in the car!" *I was thinking of the wonderful
> > > example she set for those children....
> >
> > And going even farther away from the OP:
> >
> > Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> > law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> > "Customers With Children". *
> >
> > Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. *It's discriminatory,
> > for one. *OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
> > store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
> > traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
> > thew store to grab their hands.
> >
> > Second of all, my mother has children. *What's to keep her from
> > parking there? *They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
> > but she is a customer with children.
> >
> > Third: *It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
> > from 8AM to 3PM.
> >
> > And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> > there. *Weird.
>
> Babies R Us always had spots near the door for expectant mothers.
> That was nice. The children thing at the grocer is stupid.
>
> Now that my wife reads this NG, I'm going to have to start behaving
> better. Fat chance.

Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
without a problem.

"Dan Abel" wrote

>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>> "Customers With Children".

>> Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
>> from 8AM to 3PM.

My comment to his origional: This would be the prime time when a lady with
toddlers would probably need them.

> Are you thinking about kids in school? If they are old enough to go to
> school, aren't they old enough to walk a little distance to the store?

Yes, he may have been thinking that?

> I've done that dance in the parking lot with a baby in the stroller and
> another kid not old enough to know any better. It's a challenge.
> Having a parking spot closer to the store would have helped. When my

Definately. This is one of those understood, 'those with kids in strollers
or of an age apt to run out in traffic'. It's just safer if they have some
slots right where the entrance is, not across the street. 8 of them may be
a bit much though.

> Maybe parents with older children are
> smart enough to figure out that they don't need those spots, but smart
> enough to remember just a few years back when they did, and so they
> leave those spots for those who really need them.

Same here. They have a few such near where I am at some stores. I don't
park in them now that Charlotte is older but when she was up to age 6, I
used them if they had them positioned so I didnt have to walk her across a
traffic way to get in the store.

"Stan Horwitz" wrote

> Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
> mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
> any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
> is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
> without a problem.

If it's her first with no others in tow, it's not really needed. I do know
I needed them at the very end just before labor. Say, last 2 weeks? I
could walk of course, but not 'fast' and any distance became somewhat hard
to manage. Has to do with how the hips adjust in the later stages (so I was
told).

Steve wrote:

> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children".
>
> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.

So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy to the
point of towing their customers' vehicles?

Bob

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:48:34 -0700 (PDT), Bobo Bonobo® wrote:
>
> Babies R Us always had spots near the door for expectant mothers.
> That was nice. The children thing at the grocer is stupid.
>
> Now that my wife reads this NG, I'm going to have to start behaving
> better. Fat chance.
>>

pussy.

blake

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:32:53 -0700 (PDT), Bobo Bonobo® wrote:

> On Mar 29, 9:24*pm, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
>> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>>
>>
>> Oh, we forgot to mention employee parking. *I love it when the store
>> employees take the first few spots too. *They are instructed not to in most
>> stores, but some park close anyway and tie up a spot for 8 hours and the
>> elderly have to walk further in the rain or cold. *Just plain ignorance and
>> yes, I've complained. *There is a bank branch in the supermarket and a bank
>> employee parked in one close to the door. Meantime, an old lady had to walk
>> much further. * I told the manager and she sent the person out to move her
>> car.
>
> Good for you. If a few more citizens were proactive like that, things
> would improve.
>
> --Bryan

that's right. america needs more people butting into other people's
business.

blake

On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:00:03 -0700, Bob Terwilliger wrote:

> Steve wrote:
>
>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>> "Customers With Children".
>>
>> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.
>
> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy to the
> point of towing their customers' vehicles?
>
> Bob

i think someone upthread mentioned that parking in a marked handicapped
space is a violation of the law, kind of a different thing. (i don't know
that *providing* them is mandated - could be.)

i guess the store would have to think about how many customers were ****ed
versus pleased at the policy.

your pal,
blake

blake murphy wrote:
> On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:32:53 -0700 (PDT), Bobo Bonobo® wrote:
>
>> On Mar 29, 9:24 pm, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
>>> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>
>>> Oh, we forgot to mention employee parking. I love it when the store
>>> employees take the first few spots too. They are instructed not to in most
>>> stores, but some park close anyway and tie up a spot for 8 hours and the
>>> elderly have to walk further in the rain or cold. Just plain ignorance and
>>> yes, I've complained. There is a bank branch in the supermarket and a bank
>>> employee parked in one close to the door. Meantime, an old lady had to walk
>>> much further. I told the manager and she sent the person out to move her
>>> car.
>> Good for you. If a few more citizens were proactive like that, things
>> would improve.
>>
>> --Bryan
>
> that's right. america needs more people butting into other people's
> business.
>
> blake

Depends, I rather like things being done on a sensible, minimalist one
to one basis rather than demanding that the government do everything for
everybody.

On Mon 30 Mar 2009 08:19:43a, blake murphy told us...

> On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:00:03 -0700, Bob Terwilliger wrote:
>
>> Steve wrote:
>>
>>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>>> "Customers With Children".
>>>
>>> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.
>>
>> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy to
>> the point of towing their customers' vehicles?
>>
>> Bob
>
> i think someone upthread mentioned that parking in a marked handicapped
> space is a violation of the law, kind of a different thing. (i don't
> know that *providing* them is mandated - could be.)
>
> i guess the store would have to think about how many customers were
> ****ed versus pleased at the policy.
>
> your pal,
> blake
>

Some of our stores have designated parking for handicapped, those with
children, and pregnant women. What irks me is that in most cases the
handicapped spaces are the farther away than the other two. Somehow that
doesn't seem right. I will freely park in those marked for those with
children.

--
Wayne Boatwright

"One man's meat is another man's poison"
- Oswald Dykes, English writer, 1709.

"Jean B." > wrote:
> > And her excuse: *"I have
> > children in the car!" *I was thinking of the wonderful
> > example she set for those children....

I'll go you one better. At the TJ's recently, I pull into a space,
and see the lady who cut me off turning into the lot pulling into the
handicapped space, jump out of her car and run into the store.

Being nosy, I walked around her car, saw no handicapped insignia
displayed, but 3 children from infant to toddler, in the car.

Being mildly irritated, I went over to the manager's desk as I entered
the store and mentioned that there were three kids in a car in the
handicap space, and the driver had just come in through the door.

By the time I left, the police were there....

maxine in ri

blake murphy wrote:
> On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:00:03 -0700, Bob Terwilliger wrote:

>> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy
>> to the point of towing their customers' vehicles?

> i think someone upthread mentioned that parking in a marked
> handicapped space is a violation of the law, kind of a different
> thing. (i don't know that *providing* them is mandated - could be.)

They are mandated here, and the law determines how many
per lot must be handicapped spots.

> i guess the store would have to think about how many customers were
> ****ed versus pleased at the policy.

I've seen those spots at the mall, and at one or two supermarkets.
They don't really have room for that kind of thing in the two stores
I visit most, they have just enough spots as it is. And there are a
lot of senior citizens, try telling them they have to park further,
good luck.

nancy

maxine wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>>> And her excuse: "I have
>>> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
>>> example she set for those children....
>
> I'll go you one better. At the TJ's recently, I pull into a space,
> and see the lady who cut me off turning into the lot pulling into the
> handicapped space, jump out of her car and run into the store.
>
> Being nosy, I walked around her car, saw no handicapped insignia
> displayed, but 3 children from infant to toddler, in the car.
>
> Being mildly irritated, I went over to the manager's desk as I entered
> the store and mentioned that there were three kids in a car in the
> handicap space, and the driver had just come in through the door.
>
> By the time I left, the police were there....
>
> maxine in ri

I hope that woman learned NOT to leave her kids in the car, at the
very least.

--
Jean B.

Stan Horwitz wrote:

> In article
> >,
> Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:
>
>
>>On Mar 29, 8:20 pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
>>
>>>"Jean B." > wrote:
>>>
>>>>And her excuse: "I have
>>>>children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
>>>>example she set for those children....
>>>
>>>And going even farther away from the OP:
>>>
>>>Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>>>law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>>>"Customers With Children".
>>>
>>>Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. It's discriminatory,
>>>for one. OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
>>>store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
>>>traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
>>>thew store to grab their hands.
>>>
>>>Second of all, my mother has children. What's to keep her from
>>>parking there? They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
>>>but she is a customer with children.
>>>
>>>Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
>>>from 8AM to 3PM.
>>>
>>>And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
>>>there. Weird.
>>
>>Babies R Us always had spots near the door for expectant mothers.
>>That was nice. The children thing at the grocer is stupid.
>>
>>Now that my wife reads this NG, I'm going to have to start behaving
>>better. Fat chance.
>
>
> Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
> mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
> any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
> is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
> without a problem.

And that's great. But not every pregnancy is easy. I had horrible
sciatica in the third trimester with both of my pregnancies. Walking
more than a few steps felt like having lightning run to ground through
my right leg. I mostly tried not to shop at all - my husband really
stepped up - but when I absolutely had to, I was incredibly grateful for
things like preferential parking, and the option of having the bagger at
the grocery store help me load my purchases into the van.

Given that it's only a very few reserved slots, I prefer to err on the
side of compassion.

maxine wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>>> And her excuse: "I have
>>> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
>>> example she set for those children....
>
> I'll go you one better. At the TJ's recently, I pull into a space,
> and see the lady who cut me off turning into the lot pulling into the
> handicapped space, jump out of her car and run into the store.
>
> Being nosy, I walked around her car, saw no handicapped insignia
> displayed, but 3 children from infant to toddler, in the car.
>
> Being mildly irritated, I went over to the manager's desk as I entered
> the store and mentioned that there were three kids in a car in the
> handicap space, and the driver had just come in through the door.
>
> By the time I left, the police were there....
>
> maxine in ri
I, too, have reported people for leaving their little ones in the car
while they go in to shop. Generally the police will be there very
quickly. I usually just dial 911 and even tell them who I am.

Every year here I read in the paper or hear on TV where a child has died
from being left in a closed up vehicle in the heat of summer. The last
one was an infant, too small to try to get out on her on. The mother was
tried and convicted for the death. As a parent and grandparent I have
difficulty imagining anyone would leave their child somewhere where it
is dangerous but it happens every day in this country.

On 30 Mar 2009 13:37:18 GMT, "Michael \"Dog3\""
> wrote:

>The
>"have kids" spots are absurd. No one asked them to squirt out however
>many breedlets they chose to have and there is no reason they should get
>preferential treatment.

You could have stopped at the first period and I would have agreed
with you completely. No need to get all ****y about it.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Mar 30, 6:34*am, Stan Horwitz > wrote:

> Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
> mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
> any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
> is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
> without a problem.

Those last few weeks you feel like you're off-balance, the kid is
sitting on your bladder, and for too many of us, there's swelling and
a host of other "discomforts" to put it mildly.

You're right, it's not always necessary, but when a mother-to-be is
having problems, it's a kindness.

maxine in ri
former mother-to-be, currently awaiting the last colleges' responses

On Mar 30, 9:37*am, "Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
> Sqwertz > *news:290309.202037rfc2100.960
> @sqwertz.com: in rec.food.cooking
>
> > "Jean B." > wrote:
>
> >> And her excuse: *"I have
> >> children in the car!" *I was thinking of the wonderful
> >> example she set for those children....
>
> > And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> > Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> > law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> > "Customers With Children". *
>
> That would **** me off. *Never seen that type of thing here and in my
> neighborhood I'm surprised I haven't seen it. I'm also surprised I
> haven't seen signs like "you're busy so you are entitled to park at the
> front 10 spaces".
>
>
>
> > Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. *It's discriminatory,
> > for one. *
>
> Of course it is and I'm surprised someone hasn't caused a stink over it.
> I think the handicapped spots are great and something that is needed. The
> "have kids" spots are absurd. *No one asked them to squirt out however
> many breedlets they chose to have and there is no reason they should get
> preferential treatment.
>
> Michael

Noone asks to have handicaps or get old. There's gotta be someone
around to take care of you when you're in your dotage (unless you plan
to join the hemlock society at the first signs of trouble).
maxine in ri

On Mar 30, 12:15*pm, "Jean B." > wrote:
> maxine wrote:
> > *"Jean B." > wrote:
> >>> And her excuse: *"I have
> >>> children in the car!" *I was thinking of the wonderful
> >>> example she set for those children....
>
> > I'll go you one better. *At the TJ's recently, I pull into a space,
> > and see the lady who cut me off turning into the lot pulling into the
> > handicapped space, jump out of her car and run into the store.
>
> > Being nosy, I walked around her car, saw no handicapped insignia
> > displayed, but 3 children from infant to toddler, in the car.
>
> > Being mildly irritated, I went over to the manager's desk as I entered
> > the store and mentioned that there were three kids in a car in the
> > handicap space, and the driver had just come in through the door.
>
> > By the time I left, the police were there....
>
> > maxine in ri
>
> I hope that woman learned NOT to leave her kids in the car, at the
> very least.


Me too. I hate doing that, but between the reckless driving and that,
she got my goat.

maxine

In article >,
"cshenk" > wrote:

> "Stan Horwitz" wrote
>
> > Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
> > mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
> > any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
> > is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
> > without a problem.
>
> If it's her first with no others in tow, it's not really needed. I do know
> I needed them at the very end just before labor. Say, last 2 weeks? I
> could walk of course, but not 'fast' and any distance became somewhat hard
> to manage. Has to do with how the hips adjust in the later stages (so I was
> told).

There are several factors. One is that the load is unbalanced. Another
is that you can't see your feet. That also means you can't see things
that you could trip over, like curbs or that toddler toy that your other
kid just dropped. Another, for many women, is that pregnancy is often
the time they are herding around one or more little kids. Also, it's
easier and safer to walk into the store. Walking out, you are often
carrying bags of groceries. Breaking your fall is harder then, plus the
jar of pickles may not survive the crash.

Most importantly, if it's a significant shopping trip, there's a lot of
walking inside the store, with no chance to get the weight off of legs
and feet.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> And her excuse: "I have
>> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
>> example she set for those children....
>
> And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children".
>
> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. It's discriminatory,
> for one. OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
> store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
> traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
> thew store to grab their hands.
>
> Second of all, my mother has children. What's to keep her from
> parking there? They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
> but she is a customer with children.
>
> Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
> from 8AM to 3PM.
>
> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> there. Weird.
>
> -sw

The next time you think its a weird idea - borrow 3 toddlers and march them
through a parking lot safely.

LOL

Dimitri

On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:34:11 -0400 in rec.food.cooking, Stan Horwitz
> wrote,
>Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
>mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store

They don't *need* it; it's a gimmick to get them to go to that store
instead of some other. It's no different than if you could arrange to
send a discount coupon to anyone who is not currently your customer but
is a good prospect. He doesn't *need* it. Where do you get the idea
that "need" has anything to do with it?

Dimitri wrote:
>
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Jean B." > wrote:
>>
>>> And her excuse: "I have
>>> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
>>> example she set for those children....
>>
>> And going even farther away from the OP:
>>
>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>> "Customers With Children".
>>
>> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. It's discriminatory,
>> for one. OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
>> store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
>> traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
>> thew store to grab their hands.
>>
>> Second of all, my mother has children. What's to keep her from
>> parking there? They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
>> but she is a customer with children.
>>
>> Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
>> from 8AM to 3PM.
>>
>> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
>> there. Weird.
>>
>> -sw
>
> The next time you think its a weird idea - borrow 3 toddlers and march
> them through a parking lot safely.
>
> LOL
>
> Dimitri

That's why toddler leashes were invented. Harness the little rascals and
put them on a tether. I despise the Mom's who bring all their little
demons to the store with them and then let them run free range. I tend
to growl at them and they go running back to mommy. If they're well
behaved it's okay but few are.

Michael "Dog3" wrote:

> Kathleen >
> : in rec.food.cooking
>
>
>>And that's great. But not every pregnancy is easy. I had horrible
>>sciatica in the third trimester with both of my pregnancies. Walking
>>more than a few steps felt like having lightning run to ground through
>>my right leg. I mostly tried not to shop at all - my husband really
>>stepped up - but when I absolutely had to, I was incredibly grateful
>>for things like preferential parking, and the option of having the
>>bagger at the grocery store help me load my purchases into the van.
>>
>>Given that it's only a very few reserved slots, I prefer to err on the
>>side of compassion.
>
>
> There are stores with preferred parking in your area? Which stores are
> they? I think the handicapped spots should also be available to people
> like you who are having difficulty getting around. I have no problems
> with that at all. I *do* have a problem for preferred parking for just
> "people with children" etc. It's not right IMO.

Dierbergs and Schnucks both have parking reserved for... Shoot. Don't
remember the exact wording... Expectant and New Mothers?? Something
like that? These are in addition to the close in, extra wide official
handicapped parking slots.

And in contrast to the handicapped slots, I can't ever remember noticing
a mama slot being obviously abused.

"Michael "Dog3"" wrote

> There are stores with preferred parking in your area? Which stores are
> they? I think the handicapped spots should also be available to people
> like you who are having difficulty getting around. I have no problems
> with that at all. I *do* have a problem for preferred parking for just
> "people with children" etc. It's not right IMO.

I dont mind the one for people with *toddlers* though 8 seemed a bit much.

Truely if you want non-sensical 'reserved parking' you need to go to a
commisary. The closest spots are often reserved for strictly rank. You go
it. The CO's wife etc. These spots are almost never used by the actual
military person (and the handicap ones should be closer, not the CO's).

Based on memory, Sasebo Japan. All of 12 slots total? 3 were reserved for
handicap access. 3 were for rank (Base CO, any ship CO, and Base CMC).
That was 50% of the parking lot. Now out back, was another lot but it was
for the exchange, Medical and Dental facility, and base over flow etc.
Normally full or very near it from 6:30am to about 4PM.

Smart folks who lived close enough just walked in and took a cab home.
Folks who lived farther out would drive in, park far away (1/2 mile or more)
and then take a cab back to their car with the groceries.

On Mar 29, 6:20*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote:
> > And her excuse: *"I have
> > children in the car!" *I was thinking of the wonderful
> > example she set for those children....
>
> And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children". *
>
> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. *It's discriminatory,
> for one. *OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
> store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
> traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
> thew store to grab their hands.
>
> Second of all, my mother has children. *What's to keep her from
> parking there? *They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
> but she is a customer with children.
>
> Third: *It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
> from 8AM to 3PM.
>
> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> there. *Weird.
>
> -sw

That practice would pretty much send me running to their competition.
There are plenty of folks around who aren't impaired enough to warrant
a disabled license plate, but would sure appreciate close in
parking...From my own experience I can tell you when you're recovering
from an illness, injury, or surgery, or just plain old, the required
walk to the far reaches of a market for a quart of milk can feel like
the Bataan Death March...The heck with the able bodied young Mommy
crowd getting preferential parking.

NancyT

In article >,
Kathleen > wrote:


> And that's great. But not every pregnancy is easy. I had horrible
> sciatica in the third trimester with both of my pregnancies. Walking
> more than a few steps felt like having lightning run to ground through
> my right leg. I mostly tried not to shop at all - my husband really
> stepped up - but when I absolutely had to, I was incredibly grateful for
> things like preferential parking, and the option of having the bagger at
> the grocery store help me load my purchases into the van.

That's why they have handicapped spots. Did you ask your doctor for a
handicapped placard?

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

> people that leave the car running with the air conditioning on with
> little kids in it. *A total "steal me" sign to car thieves. Idiot
> parents.


I never did that, but my 1990 Taurus could be locked, running, with
the A/C on - I had keyless entry. It would have been pretty hard to
steal. Let me tell you, it has taken me a while to get used to
removing my keys from my Jeep when I get out - never used to do that
at all.

I reported someone last year, dead summer, 95 deg. outside, who left a
small dog in their car in full sun, with the windows rolled up.

N.

> Babies R Us always had spots near the door for expectant mothers.
> That was nice. *The children thing at the grocer is stupid.
>

Those "expectant mother" signs really irritate the hell out of me.
Exercise for pregnant women is desirable. Let them walk.

N.

"Dan Abel" wrote
> In article >,
> Kathleen > wrote:

>> And that's great. But not every pregnancy is easy. I had horrible

> That's why they have handicapped spots. Did you ask your doctor for a
> handicapped placard?

They dont give them for pregnancy.

"Bobo Bonobo®" > wrote in message
...
On Mar 29, 8:20 pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote:
> > And her excuse: "I have
> > children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful
> > example she set for those children....
>
> And going even farther away from the OP:
>
> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> "Customers With Children".
>
> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO. It's discriminatory,
> for one. OTOH, it's nice to have right at th thoroughfare to the
> store so that kids can open up their cars doors and bolt right into
> traffic before their parents can walk around to the other side of
> thew store to grab their hands.
>
> Second of all, my mother has children. What's to keep her from
> parking there? They may be 40+ years old and live in other states,
> but she is a customer with children.
>
> Third: It's a waste of 8 perfectly prime parking spaces weekdays
> from 8AM to 3PM.
>
> And for some reason, even the parents with children don't park
> there. Weird.

Babies R Us always had spots near the door for expectant mothers.
That was nice. The children thing at the grocer is stupid.

I think the expectant mother spots are just wrong. My doctor always
told me to get lots of exercise and walking is the best for pregnant women.
Of course that was more than 40 years ago. Our store has one for parents
with small children and caregivers. It's farther away than the handicapped
spots. I have a handicap sticker, so can park there legally, but at lots of
stores there aren't enough. Oddly enough the worst place is our local
hospital. ..Sharon

Bob Terwilliger wrote:
>
> Steve wrote:
>
> > Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
> > law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
> > "Customers With Children".
> >
> > Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.
>
> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy to the
> point of towing their customers' vehicles?

Don't you remember? He doesn't have a car.

Why he's concerned enough to post about it is a mystery.

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> They are mandated here, and the law determines how many per lot must be
> handicapped spots.
>> i guess the store would have to think about how many customers were
>> ****ed versus pleased at the policy.
>
> I've seen those spots at the mall, and at one or two supermarkets.
> They don't really have room for that kind of thing in the two stores
> I visit most, they have just enough spots as it is. And there are a
> lot of senior citizens, try telling them they have to park further,
> good luck.


It's not just seniors who don't want to walk. At my old Y there was
parking all around the building, and there were three doors, one at the
a front, one at the side and one at the back. Several times I saw people
drive around and around looking for a spot near the front door. You
don't want to have to walk too far on your way to work out.

The funniest one was a young lady who wanted my parking space. I was
working and afternoon shift and had spent the afternoon in court. When
we were finished I had to get back to my regular duties. I was parked
in the municipal lot and was in front of a private gym. When I got to my
car I had to dig get out my brief case and boot up the computer for my
mobile terminal. A woman had pulled up behind me, leaving me enough room
to get out. While I was putting my court files in my brief case she
honked her horn. Apparently she wanted my space. I don't know why she
could not have taken one of the many empty spaces a few cars down from
me or the one on the other side of the lane.

That old lap top was slow booting up. Then I had to log on, which was
also a slow process. She kept tooting her horn for me to hurry up. It
didn't make the computer run any faster or speed up the log on. When I
finally pulled out she blasted her horn to get my attention as she gave
me the finger. As I drove away I kept an eye on her through the mirror.
She went into the gym. The silly twit had wasted close to 10 minutes
waiting for my space rather than walking an extra 20 feet.

On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:19:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>The silly twit had wasted close to 10 minutes
>waiting for my space rather than walking an extra 20 feet.

The walk and exercise will do you more good than you know. All I
want is to be able to park NEXT to a cart return. There is always
a parking spot at the last one!

On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:15:43 -0400, "Jean B." > wrote:

>I hope that woman learned NOT to leave her kids in the car, at the
>very least.

She got a hefty fine for parking in a handicapped spot. I don't know
what they do about leaving kids in the car. I guess it depends on how
young they are.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On 30 Mar 2009 18:45:16 GMT, "Michael \"Dog3\""
> wrote:

>I *do* have a problem for preferred parking for just
>"people with children" etc. It's not right IMO.

Geeze Michael. They have to wrestle with strollers the size of
Cadillacs and you have no *compassion* for them? <sniffle>

IMO: Children are the newest fashion accessory. I doubt they even
know what an umbrella stroller is anymore.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West