Damned if you do, damned if you don't

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

My wife and I went out to eat in our golf cart. When I got the the restaurant I dutifully parked my cart in the left hand side of a space, as I understand is the custom, so that another cart may also park in that space, thereby saving spaces.

When we came out of the restaurant, there was a note on my cart from the car driver that was to the left of the space that I was in. She explained that because of the way that I parked she had a lot of difficulty getting her handicapped passenger into her car and I should be more considerate and think about that the next time I park my cart.

I looked down at my rear wheels, which are a bit wider than the front and saw that they were a good six inches inside my space.

Had I parked further over, I would have risked getting a note from an irate golf cart driver who may not have been able to find a space because I was in effect taking two.

It seems that no matter what you do, someone has a problem with it.

I'm assuming that she didn't have a handicap plate which would have allowed her to park in a handicapped space, which is reasonable if this person were only a, occasional guest in her car. I want to know is that if this person knew that she had a handicapped person with her, why didn't she park further to the left in her space allowing more room for her passenger?

[rubicon]

What your not a mind reader? It would seem if a car pulled into that space it would have resulted in the same situation. This is obviously shortsighted thinking on the note writer. In addition it also seems self centered.

[Russ_Boston]

Boogie, Boogie, Boogie - The lesson is - you CAN'T get it right no matter what you do. I have seen more people in TV who complain about something I'm doing while driving and I ask myself "What did they just say? Was I wrong?". I go over the situation in my head and come to the conclusion that they "have rocks in their head!".

I listen to people (mostly my patients) explain why they got a citation after an accident in the roundabout that the officer feels was their fault and they just don't get it. I go over their explanation in my head and realize that they just don't know the rules. I ask if they see the pretty signs posted before each roundabout that explain the options in pictures and they say no but they then go on ranting about dashed lines and such.

The old saying is "you can't fix stupid".

[redwitch]

Some days ya just can't win for losin. Sounds like you had one of those days. Wish I could muster some sympathy for the woman who left you the note (and how do you know it was a woman, anyway? lol), but I really can't. As was said, park more to the left from the git go, don't make someone else feel guilty for doing the right thing.

[kittygilchrist]

oh dear, letting go of stuff isn't easy, is it? I hope that when I get my first nasty note on the cart which I intend to park smack in the middle of any space, I shall laugh aloud.
Kitty
ps I'll park it that way because the doors swing as wide open as a car, but I'll get nasties from people who don't know that.

[missypie]

I always park in front of a building or establishment and let my handicapped person out. THEN I park my car so that I can park anywhere I want.

[ilovetv]

Some people are tuned in only to themselves and are self-centered.

They do not bother to think about other people and their needs, much less why they did something right.

[casita37]

some people are tuned in only to themselves and are self-centered.

They do not bother to think about other people and their needs, much less why they did something right.

amen!!

[DaleMN]

so....

[Madelaine Amee]

amen!!

Make that two "amen's" ................. me, me, me - I thought that was for the younger generation, maybe not!

[DonH57]

Don't the handicap spots have a space on the right hand side for wheelchair clearance?

[Carl in Tampa]

It appears that the note was written by someone IGNORANT of the cart parking practices here.

Forgive her for her rudeness and mark it up to her ignorance.

The problem with anonymous notes with no phone number is that you can't give feedback to the person who needs it most.

chilout

[Patty55]

The note thing is getting old, so is the screaming/honking/bird shooting after I turn. These people need to grow a set and say it face to face.

[cquick]

honestly, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to park a golf cart in a parking space. It's too bad the lady felt so strongly that she had to write you a note. Why doesn't she do like I do many times: pull your car back a little bit and you'll have plenty of room to load your passenger.


there's more than one way to skin a cat.
;-)

[cquick]

Don't the handicap spots have a space on the right hand side for wheelchair clearance?

she wasn't in a handicapped parking spot. Perhaps just giving a ride to a handicapped person.

[looneycat]

I guess she was so busy writing her note that she didn't think to pull out of the space and pull up sideways affording her passenger all the space in the world to get in the car....guess she's just a rear aperture!

[gpirate]

My wife and I went out to eat in our golf cart. When I got the the restaurant I dutifully parked my cart in the left hand side of a space, as I understand is the custom, so that another cart may also park in that space, thereby saving spaces.

When we came out of the restaurant, there was a note on my cart from the car driver that was to the left of the space that I was in. She explained that because of the way that I parked she had a lot of difficulty getting her handicapped passenger into her car and I should be more considerate and think about that the next time I park my cart.

I looked down at my rear wheels, which are a bit wider than the front and saw that they were a good six inches inside my space.

Had I parked further over, I would have risked getting a note from an irate golf cart driver who may not have been able to find a space because I was in effect taking two.

It seems that no matter what you do, someone has a problem with it.

I'm assuming that she didn't have a handicap plate which would have allowed her to park in a handicapped space, which is reasonable if this person were only a, occasional guest in her car. I want to know is that if this person knew that she had a handicapped person with her, why didn't she park further to the left in her space allowing more room for her passenger?

Wow! That does not sound like the friendliest town as advertised.

[billethkid]

don't tar the majority who live in TV and are members of the friendliest home town because they are.

There is no way to win when there is a self centered old fart on a mission....usually to no place.

btk

[marianne237]

Some days you're statue, some days you're the bird

[gomoho]

I always park in front of a building or establishment and let my handicapped person out. THEN I park my car so that I can park anywhere I want.

:ho: you are probably one of the few people in this country that understand that is how it is supposed to be done. Congratulations!!!

[Villages PL]

My wife and I went out to eat in our golf cart. When I got the the restaurant I dutifully parked my cart in the left hand side of a space, as I understand is the custom, so that another cart may also park in that space, thereby saving spaces.

When we came out of the restaurant, there was a note on my cart from the car driver that was to the left of the space that I was in. She explained that because of the way that I parked she had a lot of difficulty getting her handicapped passenger into her car and I should be more considerate and think about that the next time I park my cart.

I looked down at my rear wheels, which are a bit wider than the front and saw that they were a good six inches inside my space.

Had I parked further over, I would have risked getting a note from an irate golf cart driver who may not have been able to find a space because I was in effect taking two.

It seems that no matter what you do, someone has a problem with it.

I'm assuming that she didn't have a handicap plate which would have allowed her to park in a handicapped space, which is reasonable if this person were only a, occasional guest in her car. I want to know is that if this person knew that she had a handicapped person with her, why didn't she park further to the left in her space allowing more room for her passenger?

It seems she didn't know about The Villages rule or suggestion of two carts per space. If the restaurant is on 466 or other major highway, there may be people who are just passing through who are not familiar with The Villages. In that case, I would just park in the middle of the space to avoid that possibility.

Then you could leave a note on your own cart explaining why you parked the way you did: To whom it may concern...........:duck:

[skyguy79]

When we came out of the restaurant, there was a note on my cart from the car driver that was to the left of the space that I was in. She explained that because of the way that I parked she had a lot of difficulty getting her handicapped passenger into her car and I should be more considerate and think about that the next time I park my cart.
Winston, Winston, Winston! Don't you know you're supposed to be carrying a crystal ball with you so you can foresee and avoid problems like this? :1rotfl:

Seriously, as a user of a mobility motor vehicle and scooter, and with my wife as the driver, we've been in the same situation several times as described in the note you received. We never thought, not even once that the driver of the vehicle in the space to our right that was blocking my access was being inconsiderate or thoughtless, even with a sign on the passenger side of our vehicle with the handicapped logo and a statement that extra space is needed for deployment of the loading ramp. I know people are just not in tune to looking for such a notice and I probably would have missed it myself if I was in their shoes.

What we normally do when necessary is move our vehicle to a position where the ramp can be deployed so I can drive up it. However, there was one exception where there was no handicapped spaces available. So we parked the vehicle out of the way where it was less likely that we would be blocked in; there were few cars in the section both when we arrived and when we left.

As I later returned to the vehicle and was in the processing of positioning my scooter for loading, another vehicle pulled into one parking spot then unexpectedly advanced to the empty spot in front of him between my vehicle and me, just as I was about to deploy the ramp. Apparently inattentive and unaware of what he just did, he and his passenger quickly left the vehicle and headed toward the store's entrance. My wife approaching our vehicle told him that he just blocked my ability to load my scooter. Despite my yelling out that it's OK, that I'll just load up after she pulled out of the space, the driver came back and moved his vehicle. I thanked him and all was well that ended well.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Thanks for all the comments. I was actually feeling bad for this person. It was probably the case where she had a handicap guest in her car and didn't have a handicap placcard. But, as many people have pointed out, she could have puled out of the space and loaded her passenger in or better yet, had the passenger wait that the door while she went and got the car.

It's not a big deal and I'm not holding on to it or really ranting. I just found it to be ironic that I'm trying to do the right thing and I get the one person who has a special need that my cart interfere's with.

[PammyJ]

It is one of those things in life that make you go.... Hmmmmm? I haven't gotten a note yet!!!!

[Mr.Kris]

It is one of those things in life that make you go.... Hmmmmm? I haven't gotten a note yet!!!!

If I'm going to get it, I hope to get it soon - in writing. This is going to put the "buzz kill" on my TV rental.

I'd blame the NSA and DoD, but then again I could just call and ask if they had anything to do with this. After 40 years in Defense, as a courtesy, I get a transcript of my phone calls and emails.

[DougB]

It is one of those things in life that make you go.... Hmmmmm? I haven't gotten a note yet!!!!

Here ya go!

[PammyJ]

Here ya go!

OMG! I live with this guy! I am rolling on the floor laughing 24/7!

[skyguy79]

Here ya go!

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/21560d1380241324t-damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont-note.jpg
Alas... er... I mean at last, a noteworthy response! :clap2:

[Easyrider]

I'm assuming that she didn't have a handicap plate which would have allowed her to park in a handicapped space, which is reasonable if this person were only a, occasional guest in her car. I want to know is that if this person knew that she had a handicapped person with her, why didn't she park further to the left in her space allowing more room for her passenger?

Probably no handicapped spaces left used up by many that do not really need them proven when they make the mad dash to the door of the business.

Parking further to the left would have made it impossible to get out or put her too close to the next spot...

Parking spots are not designed to handle 2 carts....Don't know whose bright idea it was to start parking 2 to a spot but unless you know them and can park in front or back of each other it is not doable without these type problems.

[Mr.Kris]

OMG! I live with this guy! I am rolling on the floor laughing 24/7!

Yep. He's tuned in and obviously has a grasp of the scale.

[Pepperhead]

Here ya go!

Where is the other 7/8 of the note?

[beachx4me]

I was waiting to see if someone made note of the crystal ball!!! Amazing, sounds as if there is a whole group of folks carrying around specially made cards (from another thread) and/or stationery just to leave little "parking police" notes. Puleeeze, can't people park in peace???

[jerseyvillager]

I feel bad for the handicapped person who had to wait while the note was being written.

[Bay Kid]

Some people are never happy. At least it was after your meal. My Mom always said "the best revenge is living well". She is miserable and you will be happy!

[Penguin]

I always park in front of a building or establishment and let my handicapped person out. THEN I park my car so that I can park anywhere I want.

Now theres a great idea. If only people would use common sense, which I think is in short demand these days.

[buggyone]

What I find amazing about Winston Boogie's post is that the woman actually took the time to get her handicapped person into the car, find a pen and piece of paper, write a nastygram, and then get out of her car, walk to his cart and put it in the cart. She probably could have been down the block and out on a main roadway headed home by the time all that had transpired.

Hopefully, Winston Boogie just shook his head, smiled, and started softly singing, "Let It Be" as he and his wife drove off after a nice dinner.

[cquick]

What I find amazing about Winston Boogie's post is that the woman actually took the time to get her handicapped person into the car, find a pen and piece of paper, write a nastygram, and then get out of her car, walk to his cart and put it in the cart. She probably could have been down the block and out on a main roadway headed home by the time all that had transpired.

Hopefully, Winston Boogie just shook his head, smiled, and started softly singing, "Let It Be" as he and his wife drove off after a nice dinner.


:agree:

[cquick]

Wow! That does not sound like the friendliest town as advertised.

Well, we don't have to take a test to prove we're friendly.....not everyone is friendly every day, but most days we are.....but we have our "not so friendly days" too, just like everyone else. :)

[Jimbo120]

I thought that what handicap spaces were for... loading and unloading as well as parking close...

[pqrstar]

Parking spots are not designed to handle 2 carts....Don't know whose bright idea it was to start parking 2 to a spot but unless you know them and can park in front or back of each other it is not doable without these type problems.

In parking lots where you either pull in straight or park at an angle there is enough room for 2 carts.

Carts do not park side-by-side, but stagger so that one is near the side line and toward the front of the space and one is near the opposite side line and in the back portion of the space.

[graciegirl]

Some people are tuned in only to themselves and are self-centered.

They do not bother to think about other people and their needs, much less why they did something right.

I so agree.

[senior citizen]

I always park in front of a building or establishment and let my handicapped person out. THEN I park my car so that I can park anywhere I want.

That is exactly what my husband does in the same situation as you mention.
Let the person with the mobility issues out first.....closest to the entry to the establishment...........then go and park the car or whatever.

It is considerate first of all to the person needing added assistance due to whatever mobility problems they may have.....

Unless we walk in another's shoes........none of us know what it's like to be disabled in one form or another........

GOOD POST.