Do I Need to "Get A Life"?????

Docsknotinn · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

What we really need is more folks just like you who "need to get a life" /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Dave

Bob_Skurka · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Personally I think you did ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG THING.

This woman, who we can all bet does not own a tractor, did NOT learn a darn thing. She stomped out becuase she got caught by you, but she will do it again. And she will probably repeatedly do it 100 times.

The RIGHT thing to do would have been to call the police and get family services involved too. Take away that kid and slap her with a $100+ ticket. That would TEACH her something because she would have incurred a REAL penalty. She is an unfit mom and a witch (or something like that) too. No, all you did was inconvenience her because she had to go get her kid out of her van and bring it in and stand in line again. I'll bet you she didn't move the van!

As for getting a life, yeah you go get one, then tell us all about the morons you meet out there. Me, I'll stay here with the rest of the common sense tractor people and get along just fine while you are gone. When you are done with exploring "life" we'll still welcome you back here.

thcri · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Gary,

The temperatures probably weren't of concern. But now days with all the kid nappings that would be my concern. You did right by confronting her, but the way she acted one would wish that you turned her in.

I sure wish there was more grandpa's around like you to protect the kids today. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif just joking on the grandpa part

Golfgar4 · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

( I'll bet you she didn't move the van!
)

Bob,

Actually, she did move the van. In fact, she drove away and as far as I know, she didn't come back while we were there.

I understand what you're saying, and do agree after a point. As I stated earlier, she (or anyone who exhibits these kinds of behavior) will eventually get caught and will pay the penalty, as you so aptly stated.

But also as I stated, I would hope that talking with someone could resolve the issue without having to go the extreme. Does this always work? Of course not. But if it works once in awhile, then I think it's worth trying. Granted, I'll never know if the person goes back to the same behavior the next time, but at least I tried to be reasonable and civilized about it.

( When you are done with exploring "life" we'll still welcome you back here.
)

I appreciate that! And when I get back, I'll be sure to fill you in on everything I experienced. Hopefully, it won't include a "Boy, were you ever right!" admission. But you'll get one if it's warranted!

( I sure wish there was more grandpa's around like you to protect the kids today. just joking on the grandpa part
)

Thanks Murph! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I'm just practicing, 'cause the first grandchild is due one month from today!! WOOHOO!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And I can guarantee that, whenever THIS grandpa is around his grandchild, they will NEVER be left alone!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Boondox · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Garry -- You did exactly right. Don't be put off by her bluster. It was just her way of displacing the anger she felt over having done something she knew darned well was both illegal and pee-poor judgement.

Personally, I might have bellowed out loud "Are you the low-life that left her infant locked in the car outside???" But unlike you, I'm not noted for my tact. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Pete

Bob_Skurka · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Well I have to admit, once upon a time I thought that talking to people was the right choice. But I tried it and got crap thrown in my face once too often.

I too have "talked" to people who park in the handicapped zone only to find out that the person I was trying to reason with had no sense of morality. I got yelled at several times and one heavy set woman almost hit me (I was too quick for her).

We have beggars who stand on the roadside and hold signs that say WILL WORK FOR FOOD. I stopped a dozen times and offered them jobs (I own a fairly large warehouse and shipping company). Every time I offer work they turned me down. I talked to a couple of them and they told me they actually make a very good living begging a few hours a day on a busy intersection.

I have come to the SAD REALIZATION that sometimes you have to let people touch that hot stove that your momma said was hot and you were smart enough not to touch (or you learned after the first time). So when people jog into the store from the handicapped spot, I call the police. When people leave their kids alone, I call the police. When I see a so-called bum with a WILL WORK FOR FOOD sign I drive right on by.

But I do donate to legitimate charities, and I hire the handicapped and the mentally retarded and I give them full medical coverage and a retirement plan. And I work as a volunteer at my daughter's school on fund raising events.

I am not so jaded that I don't care. I do care. I just think that some people have to really learn the hard way because they are total idiots and only by being smacked upside the head with a 2x4 will they ever get any sense knocked into their think skulls. It is a shame that that child has that mother. It is also a shame that that child will probably learn from that mother and become very much like her. So for the child's sake, that woman needed a swift kick to the back side and the Department of Family Services would be just the group to kick her!

thcri · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Gary,

I can say that because I am not to far behind you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RobertN · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Hats off to you man! You did good.

Only thing that could have been done different is calling 911 to report an infant alone in an unattended car.

You have a life; they are the ones that need to get one, especially for that child.

higgy · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

"Oh, I suppose you're one of those handicapped vigilantes waiting top catch someone parking there, aren't you?"

Sounds to me like she has been busted before by one of the good guys.

rockinmywaypa · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Bravo for you. Now is it really a good idea to approach total strangers who just might be close enough to the edge that they may be capable of doing you bodily harm? It takes judgement in each situation but a more prudent thing to do is simply calling the law and let them take care of the situation. Maybe I've been watching too many news clips and maybe not everybody is packing a pistol but I wouldn"t want to offend the one that might be.

rozett · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Garry, as others have said, I agree that you did the right thing.... both for the handicapped parking violation and more importantly for the welfare fo the child.

A word of caution about handicap violations.... just because someone doesn't look handicapped, doesn't mean they are not. My daughter has a condition that can cause severe problems in significant temp changes.... like getting out of a warm car into the cold air. She is medically approved for a placard. Occaisionally, someone will make a comment about her parking in a handicapped space because she doesn't look handicapped.

As a side note.... I saw a piece on the news this weekend where some state changed their handicapped parking law so that folks can now take photos of someone in violation and send them to the police.... that's enough evidence to convict.

JDgreen227 · Jan 5, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

You were one hundred percent right to do what you did and a fine person for taking the time to speak up!! Be proud of yourself.

Golfgar4 · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

( just because someone doesn't look handicapped, doesn't mean they are not. )

I realize that. That is why I said in my original post..( In fact, to make sure that I didn't make a mistake, I always ask first if the person or someone with them is handicapped, just to make sure that they weren't dealing with a temporary situation. ) I know that many times someone is handicapped but it is not an obvious problem. That's why I try to always ask the person first.

kokopelli2 · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

gary
you def. did the right thing. i wouldnt have said anything to her. i would have just called the cops and let them deal with it. they are really quick to help a child or pet locked in a car. trust me, i have called them before.

fivestring · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Congrats, "Grandpa!" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm due my first grandchild in June.

Gatorboy · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Gary, I applaud you.

This type of behavior to me is the same as people who park in the fire lane of a store because they are so important that they should get special privileges.

Or like the guy/gal that takes up 2 parking places because their car is so much more important than mine. I say, park FAR away and WALK if you don't want to get your car dinged. My car is just as important to me as their fancy (in their mind) car is to them.

As long as I am on a roll -- I know that those handicapped privileges get abused. Many people have those tags that hang on the mirror so that when they drive their handicapped parent for example, some place they can use the appropriate parking spaces. Well, those people use those tags even when they don't have their handicapped parent (or person) with them. I mean really, how much longer does it take to walk an extra 10 car spaces into a store -- 15 seconds? For Pete's Sake, you are going to walk around inside that store for 30-60+ minutes in most cases!

Once again, I tip my hat to you Gary.

fivestring · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

"Many people have those tags that hang on the mirror so that when they drive their handicapped parent for example, some place they can use the appropriate parking spaces. Well, those people use those tags even when they don't have their handicapped parent (or person) with them."

Good point, Dave.
In NC, to use the placard or tag, you have to also have doctor's info handy with the name of the person that is "handicapped" ("physically challenged" to the PC world). If the person is not in the car, it's the same violation as parking in a handicap space - $100.00. I've written several of those tickets and the recipient is usually not a happy camper. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
BTW.... blocking the curb cut is also a $100.00 fine in NC.

slowrev · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

Many states are changing tha handicapped parking permit law so that the vehicle has to have a handicapped person in it when parking in handicapped slots. You can have a permit on the car and still get a ticket. Towed is even better than a ticket on the jerks though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

dmccarty · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

GolfGar,

Nope you got a life and you did the right thing.

But to put a different spin on this issue it is a good idea to talk
to the person who parked in the spot if you can. A few years
ago I went to a grocery store that I have been in thousands
of times. I pulled into a parking spot and noticed this man was
GLARING and STARING at me. What is his problem thought I.
Lucky for me I just let it go and went about my business.

A week or so later I went back to the store, parked in a
different spot, looked around, slapped my forhead and said
"DUH!" I figured out why that man was eye balling me.
I had parked in a handicapped spot and did not realize it. The
painted symbol in the spot had faded away so that it was not
visible and the sign was against the building and "hidden" by
all the of the signs on the front of the store. The sign just
blended in with other signs and when I was parking I was
making sure of parking between the lines and not getting to
close to the other cars since I had a big full size pick em up
truck.

I sure wish the man had said something politely to me about
parking in a handicap spot.......
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Ya did the right thing short of calling the cops on the "lady." I
have gotten to the point that if I see something wrong I call
the POlice. Its their job to handle these things so let 'em....

Especially lately when it seems like all these kids are left in
cars to die from exposure. I'm sick of it.....

Later,
Dan McCarty

gadgetman · Jan 6, 2004

Re: Do I Need to \"Get A Life\"?????

You did good. At least she didn't leave the key in the van with it running (I HOPE). You see so many times a mom or dad leave the kids in a car "for just a couple of minutes" and bad things happen.

Back when my kids were KIDS, we didn't think about anybody doing the things that seem to happen in todays world. Makes you wonder what we have let happen to US!!!!!