'Get a life': Shopper shares disappointing act at a local shopping centre

Navigating car parks at bustling shopping centres could sometimes be a test of patience and skill.

The challenges are greater for those with disabilities, and the need for accessible parking spaces is a necessity.

However, a recent incident at a local shopping centre highlighted the insensitivity and entitlement that could sometimes permeate public spaces.


A disabled woman parked her car in a designated disabled parking spot at a shopping centre.

'I parked between a large stanchion and the bright yellow bollard with the yellow paint hatching on the floor,' she shared.

'Admittedly, I did park on a slight angle, but seeing as no one could park either side of me and I wouldn't be causing an issue with anyone else, I left the car like that.'

Upon returning from her shopping, she found a card tucked under her windscreen wiper.


compressed-parking.jpeg
An anonymous shopper stuck this parking card in the woman's car. Image Credit: Facebook/Lake Macquarie Community Notice Board


The card read, 'Hey, you suck at parking. Seriously, even a five-year-old knows how to stay inside the lines. Learn to park, really. Limit one space per car.'

The woman shared her response to the anonymous critic on the Lake Macquarie Community Notice Board.

'Honestly, mate, get a life. Do you have nothing better to do than harass disabled shoppers?' she asked.

'Maybe you could put your money to better use than getting cards printed anonymously by donating to a disabled charity.'


The post quickly garnered attention, with hundreds of comments pouring in.

Many sympathised with the woman's plight and shared their own experiences with self-appointed 'parking cops'.

'I often have to park in two spaces because there is no disabled parking left, and you can't fit a wheelchair up the side of the car,' one shopper shared.

'If it doesn't affect your life, just move on and stop being up in people's business. So sorry this happened to you,' another said.

A third comment called the act of leaving such cards' bullying'.


'I have a disability permit, and I parked in a disabled angled parking spot on the street. I had my elderly dad with me, who I was taking to an appointment,' a fourth shared.

'If anyone is thinking of putting these on other people's cars, maybe think about the effect it might have on the other person. You don't know what they are going through.'

Yet, some community members found humour in the situation.

'So, you admit to parking badly but don't like it when someone points it out? That's funny,' one comment read.

'I love the card,' another user shared. 'Don't be so offended. You know you parked at an angle. Laugh it off.'

'With the way I park, I would have a big collection of those cards!' a third exclaimed.


While some viewed the card as a harmless joke, others took it as a reminder of the obstacles people face and the lack of consideration from others.

It's a stark illustration of how actions, even those meant in jest, can have unintended consequences.

As the discussion continued, one woman's advice resonated with many: 'In a world when you can be anything, be kind.'

Others also urged those who found the situation amusing to consider walking in the shoes of someone with a disability.

In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, this incident serves as a reminder of the power of kindness and the importance of seeing beyond personal experiences.
Key Takeaways

  • A disabled woman shared a rude note she found after parking at a local shopping centre.
  • The note left under her wipers mockingly read, 'Hey, you suck at parking,' along with some snide remarks.
  • The woman shared the incident on a community notice board, which received a mix of comments from support to amusement.
  • Other comments expressed empathy towards the struggles of disabled individuals and advocated for kindness and understanding.
Have you encountered any of these 'parking cops' in your local community? What do you think of this action? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.
 
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Dear @BellaB18,
I like this quote from Dr Seuss:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

😀🌸🥰
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I absolutely love what Dr Seuss wrote.
Love Vicki
Keep your chin up sweet girl! You are absolutely admired by the huge majority of SDC members. Hopefully, you will recover from this ordeal but we all have different ways in coping with such events.

So my dear....stay strong and forever young!
 
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I absolutely love what Dr Seuss wrote.
Love Vicki
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I absolutely love what Dr Seuss wrote.
Love Vicki
Thank you veggiepatch, you are so kind and l appreciate you were looking out for me the other day. Bless you and please know l appreciate your kind thoughts so much.
Love Vicki
 
Keep posting Bella. A lot of us really care about other members and really, posting mean comments really annoys me, it’s so unnecessary. I abhor meanness, racism and don’t set me going on conspiracies. Keep believing in yourself Bella, you’re been through so much.
Thank you PattiB, l have been overwhelmed by all you wonderful caring members. It has been very humbling.
I agree with everything you abhor too.
Bless you all.
Love Vicki
 
its a disease people catch from living in a war free world...people NEED tradgedy in their life to override the trivial misdemeanours of petty crimes like hoarding toilet paper during pandemics, or parking incorrectly etc normally one would say GROW UP and act your age
I could not agree more well said.
Kind regards Vicki
 
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Our
Hello darling Marilynne,
Thank you for asking how l am feeling. I have lost sleep over the past two nights getting upset about the nonsense that has gone on. Most people would have let it go. I just couldn't do that in one way l feel foolish for putting out my thoughts. And l know the people around me would suggest just don't bother at all with the SDC. I do enjoy reading the articles. I feel if l can contribute something in a nice way why not. If l can give some advice that maybe helpful why not. Growing up l was not allowed an opinion so now l might be making up for it l suppose. I know we don't all agree with each other and that is fine it's called respect. I was totally pulled apart by one person. This person has never met me but summed me up because they did not agree with my post. It has been not nice at all. Then another makes silly childess remarks because another member and l were innocently agreeing with each other. This causes unnecessary stress which is not called for.
Me being the sensitive soul l am will take a few days to get over all this. I am fighting the black dog l can feel him snapping at my heals. I truly appreciate you checking in on me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me.
I will plod on and if l get slapped again on the SDC l will unsubscribe and take it as one of life's lessons.
Thank you again.
Love to you Vicki

Hi Viçki. Please do not stop posting. I do enjoy reading what you have to say. You seem to be a kind, caring person.
A lot of us don't agree with one another but some just leave it at that, and don't post in return. I often will not say anything in fear of being misunderstood.
I, too, am a bit sensitive. Just keep on going. Be strong, courageous and keep going.
 
Hello Jersey Girl, thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts. I truly appreciate all the support from the beautiful members. And for what it's worth. Being sensitive is a gift. I was berated constantly as a young person for being sensitive. Now l wear it as a badge of honour because I have compassion. You are correct we may not all agree with each other it's called be respectful. Everyone is allowed their opinion.
Thank you so much again for the support.
Love Vicki
 
10 to 12 years ago I drove for a company that transported dialysis patients to and from the clinic. One day I was driving around the carpark looking for a spot to park so I could go and get some lunch, the vehicle displayed the wheel chair card. Eventually I found a space after passing four disabled parking spaces. As I got out a fellow approached me and said that there is a disabled parking space in the next row and I told him that unless I had patients I would not use a disabled space. He asked about the company I drove for etc. while I was telling him he suddenly broke down and cried like a baby, I comforted him and for about a half hour before he could speak. He told that that morning he had been diagnosed with major kidney issues. Eight months later I was his transport to dialysis, twelve months later he passed away, it was my turn to cry and I did. I was unable to drive my patients for about three weeks after that. I finally quit in 2016 due to a stuffed shoulder after a simple operation screwed it.
PS. I never did get lunch that day.
 
A person ready for a 32 ounce ball pein hammer being applied with force to their windscreen.

Stuff that! I will use my closed fist instead. There has been more than a few broken windscreens around, including two of my own!
Even though I have little hand I have a fantastic left hook - mind you I haven't had to use it for quite a few years.
 
10 to 12 years ago I drove for a company that transported dialysis patients to and from the clinic. One day I was driving around the carpark looking for a spot to park so I could go and get some lunch, the vehicle displayed the wheel chair card. Eventually I found a space after passing four disabled parking spaces. As I got out a fellow approached me and said that there is a disabled parking space in the next row and I told him that unless I had patients I would not use a disabled space. He asked about the company I drove for etc. while I was telling him he suddenly broke down and cried like a baby, I comforted him and for about a half hour before he could speak. He told that that morning he had been diagnosed with major kidney issues. Eight months later I was his transport to dialysis, twelve months later he passed away, it was my turn to cry and I did. I was unable to drive my patients for about three weeks after that. I finally quit in 2016 due to a stuffed shoulder after a simple operation screwed it.
PS. I never did get lunch that day.
Now I am crying
 
Hello darling Marilynne,
Thank you for asking how l am feeling. I have lost sleep over the past two nights getting upset about the nonsense that has gone on. Most people would have let it go. I just couldn't do that in one way l feel foolish for putting out my thoughts. And l know the people around me would suggest just don't bother at all with the SDC. I do enjoy reading the articles. I feel if l can contribute something in a nice way why not. If l can give some advice that maybe helpful why not. Growing up l was not allowed an opinion so now l might be making up for it l suppose. I know we don't all agree with each other and that is fine it's called respect. I was totally pulled apart by one person. This person has never met me but summed me up because they did not agree with my post. It has been not nice at all. Then another makes silly childess remarks because another member and l were innocently agreeing with each other. This causes unnecessary stress which is not called for.
Me being the sensitive soul l am will take a few days to get over all this. I am fighting the black dog l can feel him snapping at my heals. I truly appreciate you checking in on me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me.
I will plod on and if l get slapped again on the SDC l will unsubscribe and take it as one of life's lessons.
Thank you again.
Love to you Vicki
Ah.... I WAS only joking !!! Silly childish remarks are what I'm good at !
 
We are like a big happy family in SDC....well mostly.

There is always a wayward kid or two that muck it up. I might just be one of those.... 😁
Yes, Bella veggiepatch is telling the truth - we are like family and like all families we have our moments, but it doesn't last long, and we move on - Hugs and smooches to you Veggiepatch I don't think you are the wayward child, well not all the time.
 
10 to 12 years ago I drove for a company that transported dialysis patients to and from the clinic. One day I was driving around the carpark looking for a spot to park so I could go and get some lunch, the vehicle displayed the wheel chair card. Eventually I found a space after passing four disabled parking spaces. As I got out a fellow approached me and said that there is a disabled parking space in the next row and I told him that unless I had patients I would not use a disabled space. He asked about the company I drove for etc. while I was telling him he suddenly broke down and cried like a baby, I comforted him and for about a half hour before he could speak. He told that that morning he had been diagnosed with major kidney issues. Eight months later I was his transport to dialysis, twelve months later he passed away, it was my turn to cry and I did. I was unable to drive my patients for about three weeks after that. I finally quit in 2016 due to a stuffed shoulder after a simple operation screwed it.
PS. I never did get lunch that day.
@CliffE that is such a touching account. Thank you for sharing your story with the SDC community.
 
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Yes, Bella veggiepatch is telling the truth - we are like family and like all families we have our moments, but it doesn't last long, and we move on - Hugs and smooches to you Veggiepatch I don't think you are the wayward child, well not all the time.
I tell it how it is and I don't sugarcoat the issue, whatever the subject. Fortunately for SDC, Mum isn't with us anymore after passing away in September 2007. She was ten times worse then me. A 5 foot 2 inch two legged cyclone! ❤️❤️❤️
 

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