Are people getting stupider?

[Momz]

By that I mean have you heard some of the excuses drivers use to park in "handicapped" parking spaces/zones.

One excuse that I heard while visiting my wife at the hospital was, "my car is low on gas". This idiot parked in the space closest to the front door.

Another was a car with a Canadian license plate and the driver said "it's OK, I don't live here".

While picking up my prescriptions there was a new Mercedes Benz parked with a driver behind the wheel. I knocked on the window and asked if he knew that he was illegally parked? The drivers response was that his car is new and very expensive and he did not want it dinged if he left it out in the regular parking lot.
I walked away and when I got to the door I grabbed a shopping cart a aimed it at the MB, then gave it a quick shove. When I got out that MB was gone.

I've caught people in an SUV smoking crack while sitting in a handicapped space. I took out my phone and started taking pictures, and someone from that SUV threatened to "put a cap in yo white ass". I said look around, the parking lot was full of people, and I asked if they were really serious? They took off quickly nearly hitting an old lady.

I've heard excuses that made no sense what so ever. And have been told that disabled plates on motorcycles are not legal. My riding buddy, "Kickstand" is a one legged Valkyrie rider and another riding buddy, "Dave Montgomery" that also rides a Valk trike, had childhood Polio and recently heart surgery. When we ride together it is sometimes hard to find a safe, secure, and close place to park.

So I must ask, are people getting stupider?

[RainMaker]

To answer the question, no. They are getting lazier and more entitled.

As for it seeming like people are getting stupider, that's due to the internet.  Stupid used to be localized but now stupid stuff is broadcast across the world in an instant.  We just see more stupid things that people do, but it's always been there.

[Brovietnam]

Here in Wyoming, I can't leave my handicapped placard on the bike.  It is deemed that if I ride a bike, I am not handicapped.  It was pretty much the same when I lived in Colorado.  Even with Vietnam Veteran stickers on the bike, the message doesn't get through to most people.  The country, as a whole, is much to self centered any more to be worried about inconveniencing any one else.    

[reclaimerroger]

I disagree with you Rainmaker, people really are getting stupider.  They aren't smart enough to show any courtesy.  No respect for other people.

[Black Dog]

George, you've hit on a very sore subject with me..  A$$holes that think that it's OK for them to use a HC spot, just because they are 'waiting for the wife', or 'I'll only be a few minutes'... 

My 'ex' mother in law, my dad, and my brother all had/have HC permits, and use them often.  My brother will not use his, if he's having a 'good foot' day...  When my dad and I go out for dinner, he offeres to take his permit, but I'll just drop him at the door of the resturant, and park in a regular spot.

At our local grocery store, I'll see a car without a permit/plate, parked in a HC space, with the engine running and someone at the wheel.  I will look all around the car, at the plates, and be very obvious about it.  Then I will ask the driver if he/she has a permit.  The excuses usually come, and maybe they will then move.  If not, I'll pull out my phone, and tell the driver I'm calling the cops.  I usually get a 'FU', but they move.

Another time, I saw a younger guy, on a zip-splat, park in the area between HC parking spaces, with the blue diagonal lines on the pavement.  I explained to him that the space was marked off for a HC driver to lower a wheel chair ramp, and that he could be ticketed for parking there...  He said something to the effect of 'mind yer own business', and went in to the store.  As luck would have it, a local LEO was pulling in to the lot (the station is right across the street).  I spoke with him and told him about my conversation with the MC rider.  The officer parked his squad right behind the bike, and waited.  While I was in the store, I saw the kid, and said to him that his attitude just cost him $225...  Priceless 

Entitled is the word...  They are not thinking about anyone else, or how they are causing pain and inconvience for someone else...  Just what is happening in their own little world.

Black Dog

[BigAlOfMD]

There was a black woman in a big black cadilack that almost ran over me to pull into a HC space next to the bank door.
Her passenger got out and went in the bank.
I took out my phone and started taking pictures of her licence and the HC sign,
She jumped out and threatened to sue me for taking pictures of her.
I told her not to park in an HC zone.

Then a few days later, I saw a LEO park in the same spot but I just walked away

[Grumpy]

Couple months ago, my son and I went to Comp USA, saw a pickup with what looked like 3 weight lifters park in a handicapped spot. My son says, they are not Handicapped. I replied loud enough for them to hear, Yes they are Mentally Handicapped. Thought I was going to get an ass whipping, I got some dirty looks from them as they got back in the truck and left. Some times being on old fart is dangerous.

[marshal 13]

I am a code officer and fire marshal. You would not believe the stories I get when I find cars parked in fire lane and handicapped zones. Usually young folks that are in a hurry. I call it lazy.

[R J]

California was hell on wheels on HC spots.

We used to cruise the parking lots everyday if we had time.   The city Dept also cruised around and wrote citations.   If we had one attached, they went on, we did likewise.

I issued several citations for parking in a HC spot without their placard being visible.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now, Iowa is a different story.

The only way you will a citation on a HC spot is for the business owner to call it in, & also ya get towed.........    $100 for the citation and $350 for the tow and 1 day storage.    Everyday the car is there storage will be added on.   Supposedly the lot owner has to see the registration and it be current & also has to check the Insurance card.    If either one is invalid, the vehicle stays and keeps accumulating storage costs, whatever their lot charges.  I've heard one lot in town that used to charge $500 a day.       Someone shut him down; I don't know who it was.     I'm assuming it was the State Attorney General - Consumer Protection office.


I have a placard in my truck, if I'm taking the wife to a store, I drop here at the door, and go park.    When she is done, she calls my cell and I go pick her up.  Works real good, I can go to the far back side of the parking lot and take a snooze.     My phone will wake me up on the 2nd ring.

[Otus]

I think they feel entitled because they are stupider and lazier. You can't get a placard for those reasons but it must really damper your lifestyle.

[musclehead]

I'm not sure but I was in an undisclosed state  and waiting my turn in line to get whatever maybe diesel when the clerk who was looking at some change in her hand loudly said "now they are putting spanish on our change!"

I was only a couple customers in line so when I got up there I asked to see the penny she was refering to. it was the new 'shield' penny emblazoned across the top of the shield it said "E PLURIBUS UNUM". I tried not to laugh and explained it was latin not spanish. she gave me a pained expression (like learning something new is really, REALLY hard  ) and said 'oh'
I further explained the meaning of the phrase, and just got the deer in the headlights look from her. I concluded my transaction and left, poor dear....

maybe dumber......

[John Schmidt]

My daughter had the same run-in as BlackDog did...kid parking in the area between/next to the HC spot. She has a handicapped son, wheel chair bound his entire life. I was with her when just as we pulled into the HC spot, a kid pulled in on his zip-splat. She started to drop the platform with her son's motorized wheelchair on it and the kid yelled and cussed her out, warning her she better not damage his bike. She told him he was parked illegally and his answer was a resounding "FU....what are you doing to do about it?" He then looked at me and asked the same question, I told him I was originally going to move his bike but decided to leave it up to my daughter. Then added...."if I were going to do something about it, your bike would already be gone, and you're not big enough to do anything about it."

This is a small farming community in central Illinois, where everybody knows everybody, and in my daughter's case....the chief of police has lived across the street from her for about 20 yrs. So, she calls her neighbor, he said the wrecker will be there shortly...with a patrol car. It was! The guy on the wrecker happened to be the brother to a gal she works with. Interesting situation. He asked where to take it, my daughter suggested a state park about 15 miles or so down a dirt road. The park closes at sundown, it was now 6:30pm. So, Einstein comes out of the store and starts to raise all kinds of hell with her, she quietly tells him to take his complaint elsewhere....like to the cop standing behind you. The cop gave him a ticket for parking in the HC spot, then told him where his bike was "stored." He got ticketed for being in the park after it closed, plus the towing charge. Guess he won't park near a handicapped spot anymore. It was a good day! 

[old2soon]

Up by the handi mart/micky ds they have 3 H/C designated parking spots. 1 on either side of the door to the handi mart and the closest to the door at micky Ds. AND I might add-this town DO NOT have a fine for misuse of the H/C parking. I've seen teen agers and folks in better shape than me pull into these spots-nuther words no placards and sit in micky Ds for an hour or so. Called a young gal out on it and she told me to mind my own effinf business. Told her if she was my daughter she'd get an ass whipping. Two answers to one question-yup on the getting stoopider and the second answer-lotsa young and older folks just DO NOT give a crap no more. I've seen members of our High School football team park in these spots.    Don't really know if there is a cure fer stoopid but might be worth a try to see iffin we can find one.  RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

First let me say that I would never park in a handicap spot, hardly even when I did have the hanger.  I really don't always even choose a close spot.  I need the exercise.

That said, there is a lot of abuse of the entitlement even by people who marginally can qualify for it.  There are in my town an inordinate number of handicap spots set aside in front of businesses which do very little business with wheelchair bound people or people with a problem with walking.

All that aside, from both ends it is an issue fueled by attitudes of entitlement.   

As to the original post, George, don't you realize that intentionally rolling a cart toward someone else's property is just as illegal (and unethical) as is parking in a handicap spot without the proper plate?  How do you justify that someone else's disregard for the law and proper behavior is somehow unacceptable while yours is okay?

I'm troubled by seeing people disregard what was obviously set aside for someone else but apparently not so much as some of us are.   

[RDAbull]

Short answer day...........Yes

[Oss]

John I LOVE that story



Yes from where I am absolutely yes
people are dumber and it certainly seems most care not a bit
about who they inconvenience by their actions and get damn nasty about it too


be it texting while driving,  parking in handicapped spot, riding 10 under in the left lane
even when there is an ambulance back there, there is no end to what people will do who feel "entitled"

[The Anvil]

While picking up my prescriptions there was a new Mercedes Benz parked with a driver behind the wheel. I knocked on the window and asked if he knew that he was illegally parked? The drivers response was that his car is new and very expensive and he did not want it dinged if he left it out in the regular parking lot.
I walked away and when I got to the door I grabbed a shopping cart a aimed it at the MB, then gave it a quick shove. When I got out that MB was gone.

I like your style.

[donaldcc]

"Are people getting stupider?"

   Are you sure you don't mean "more stupid?" 

[Skinhead]

I think he meant more stupider.

[vranasaurus]

I am a third year law student and work in a DA's office as an intern prosecutor.  People say and do the dumbest things imaginable.  The people who walk amongst us are down right scary.  The violent people aren't nearly as scary as the stupid people. 



 

[donaldcc]

I am a third year law student and work in a DA's office as an intern prosecutor.  People say and do the dumbest things imaginable.  The people who walk amongst us are down right scary.  The violent people aren't nearly as scary as the stupid people.  

  well Palsgraf to you.  be careful to support the ideals of your profession.

[Otus]

After I started riding I adopted a new state of mind where I expect everyone I come across on the road to do something utterly stupid. I seem to be more prepared when they do it. Like if a car on a side street pulls up to the road I'm traveling I just expect them to pull out in front of me.

[musclehead]

"Are people getting stupider?"

   Are you sure you don't mean "more stupid?" 

what are you an english teacher?     

[musclehead]

I am a third year law student and work in a DA's office as an intern prosecutor.  People say and do the dumbest things imaginable.  The people who walk amongst us are down right scary.  The violent people aren't nearly as scary as the stupid people. 



 

being stupid is a God given privilege, however some people constantly abuse the privilege

[BnB Tom]

   Seems as tho, the attitude of many people today is:

     I

     ME

     MY

     MINE

                    Extremely unfortunate 

[.]

John, I love your story but the sad thing is that it probably didn't teach the kid a cursed thing, and when he tell the story he is probably either the hero, the victim, or both (and chances are he'll conveniently "forget" that it all started because he was the @$$hole who parked in the HC spot).

As medical science has made being stupid less lethal the result is that we not only have more people but more of them are stupid.

[musclehead]

John, I love your story but the sad thing is that it probably didn't teach the kid a cursed thing, and when he tell the story he is probably either the hero, the victim, or both (and chances are he'll conveniently "forget" that it all started because he was the @$$hole who parked in the HC spot).

As medical science has made being stupid less lethal the result is that we not only have more people but more of them are stupid.

some help us out and win the 'darwin award'. but we have made life so bullet proof and safe it's getting harder and harder for them to get this prestigious award some really have to think  outside the box

[da prez]

  The seven words my counselor suggested to me to live by
 
 In his ( there , her  ) mind he does no wrong.

 The scarrier thing is the youth of today are the doctors of tomorrow.
A MC leo was stopped by a car in a HC spot and I stopped to thank him for ticketing the car as no HC tag. The woman came out of the store and said , Yes officer I am guilty and got in her car. LEO wrote the ticket and handed it to her. She screamed " I said I was guilty and you still gave me a ticket you a""hole. No mam , he replied, You just made it easier as I have a witness.

                          da prez

[Black Dog]

Don't know how I forgot about this, but Willow's reply to George reminded me...

I was on the way home from one of the original InZanes (in Ohio), and had just crossed from IL to WI.  Dealing with the IL toll roads is enough to make anyone gurmpy, and I sure was.  I was still about an hour or so from home, nursing a pair of expanding kidneys, and ready for a pee stop.

I pulled in to a McDonalds, lit a smoke, and was peeling outta my gear (parked out in the main lot).  A large, fancy BMW auto, with two pretty boys in suits, pulled in after me, and promptly parked in the HC spot, right by the front door.  I was close enough to them to say 'that's a HC spot yer parked in' (they had no tags/plate that would allow them to park there).  The driver looks at me, then at his car, and the continued in to the McD's...  I walked in, did my business in the mens room, and came out to order.

The two pretty boys were sitting at a table, chatting it up, laughing, and tossing a glance my way once in a while...  I ordered my coffee, and a CHEESEBURGER 

I walked outside, had a few sips of my coffee, pulled out the burger, and proceeded to schmooy that sucker all over the windshield of that purdy BMW...  Right in front of the two suits sitting on the other side of the window.

I walked back to the bike, got geared up, finished my coffee, and when I walked to the trash can to toss my cup (and the burger wrapper), I gave the two asshats a wink...

Cup of coffee - $1.00, Cheeseburger - $1.49, the look on their faces - priceless 

Note to Willow: No BMW's were damaged during this encounter 

Black Dog

[bigguy]

To answer your question, Yes!

From the blog, "Parking wars."


And on a similar note:
From the blog, "Surrounded by shopping carts."

[donaldcc]

what are you an english teacher?     

  no, but if I were this group would be my remedial class. 

[MacDragon]

what are you an english teacher?    

 no, but if I were this group would be my remedial class.  

No, but if I were, this group would be my remedial class.  


There... fixed the punctuation for you Donald...  

[musclehead]

what are you an english teacher?    

 no, but if I were this group would be my remedial class.  

No, but if I were, this group would be my remedial class.  


There... fixed the punctuation for you Donald...  

I couldn't punctuate my way out of a wet paper bag.....

[MarkT]

First let me say that I would never park in a handicap spot, hardly even when I did have the hanger.  I really don't always even choose a close spot.  I need the exercise.

That said, there is a lot of abuse of the entitlement even by people who marginally can qualify for it.  There are in my town an inordinate number of handicap spots set aside in front of businesses which do very little business with wheelchair bound people or people with a problem with walking.

I've found it interesting that some businesses have handicapped parking when clearly their customers can not be handicapped.  Or so it would appear.  Like a gym, or a free-climbing wall, or an indoor free-fall (vertical wind tunnel) business.  But that's probably a misconception on my part.  Who says the handicapped shouldn't be able to do therapy at a gym?  Not me.  It may be the spots are just mandated by local ordinance regardless of their customer demographics.  Or they just want to make a statement.  Or have their ambulatory customers get a bit of exercise.  Whatever.  It's still a restricted spot and shouldn't be abused.

Having said that -


It would be a shame if one of these found it's way behind each of the errant driver's tires.



http://www.defensedevices.com/tire-spikes.html

[Patrick]

what are you an english teacher?    

 no, but if I were this group would be my remedial class.  

No, but if I were, this group would be my remedial class.  


There... fixed the punctuation for you Donald...  

[musclehead]

First let me say that I would never park in a handicap spot, hardly even when I did have the hanger.  I really don't always even choose a close spot.  I need the exercise.

That said, there is a lot of abuse of the entitlement even by people who marginally can qualify for it.  There are in my town an inordinate number of handicap spots set aside in front of businesses which do very little business with wheelchair bound people or people with a problem with walking.

I've found it interesting that some businesses have handicapped parking when clearly their customers can not be handicapped.  Or so it would appear.  Like a gym, or a free-climbing wall, or an indoor free-fall (vertical wind tunnel) business.  But that's probably a misconception on my part.  Who says the handicapped shouldn't be able to do therapy at a gym?  Not me.  It may be the spots are just mandated by local ordinance regardless of their customer demographics.  Or they just want to make a statement.  Or have their ambulatory customers get a bit of exercise.  Whatever.  It's still a restricted spot and shouldn't be abused.

Having said that -


It would be a shame if one of these found it's way behind each of the errant driver's tires.



http://www.defensedevices.com/tire-spikes.html

what do you think about handicapped spots in truck stops  they have them and yes there are some drivers that have placards. it just seems odd because there are minimuim physical requirements to do the job....

[WilliamRS]

First let me say that I would never park in a handicap spot, hardly even when I did have the hanger.  I really don't always even choose a close spot.  I need the exercise.

That said, there is a lot of abuse of the entitlement even by people who marginally can qualify for it.  There are in my town an inordinate number of handicap spots set aside in front of businesses which do very little business with wheelchair bound people or people with a problem with walking.

I've found it interesting that some businesses have handicapped parking when clearly their customers can not be handicapped.  Or so it would appear.  Like a gym, or a free-climbing wall, or an indoor free-fall (vertical wind tunnel) business.  But that's probably a misconception on my part.  Who says the handicapped shouldn't be able to do therapy at a gym?  Not me.  It may be the spots are just mandated by local ordinance regardless of their customer demographics.  Or they just want to make a statement.  Or have their ambulatory customers get a bit of exercise.  Whatever.  It's still a restricted spot and shouldn't be abused.

Having said that -


It would be a shame if one of these found it's way behind each of the errant driver's tires.



http://www.defensedevices.com/tire-spikes.html

what do you think about handicapped spots in truck stops  they have them and yes there are some drivers that have placards. it just seems odd because there are minimuim physical requirements to do the job....

caltrops are illegal to possess in texas {sigh}


The Texas law prohibits the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair or sale of caltrops. But it exempts tire puncture strips that are designed to puncture tires when driven in a specific direction, such as those at car rental facilities...

[donaldcc]

what are you an english teacher?    

 no, but if I were this group would be my remedial class.  

No, but if I were, this group would be my remedial class.  


There... fixed the punctuation for you Donald...  

Thanks, MacDragon.  My finger missed that comma.  Always hate to see a sentence drag on without those little commas to give my mind a short rest while reading.   

[MarkT]

First let me say that I would never park in a handicap spot, hardly even when I did have the hanger.  I really don't always even choose a close spot.  I need the exercise.

That said, there is a lot of abuse of the entitlement even by people who marginally can qualify for it.  There are in my town an inordinate number of handicap spots set aside in front of businesses which do very little business with wheelchair bound people or people with a problem with walking.

I've found it interesting that some businesses have handicapped parking when clearly their customers can not be handicapped.  Or so it would appear.  Like a gym, or a free-climbing wall, or an indoor free-fall (vertical wind tunnel) business.  But that's probably a misconception on my part.  Who says the handicapped shouldn't be able to do therapy at a gym?  Not me.  It may be the spots are just mandated by local ordinance regardless of their customer demographics.  Or they just want to make a statement.  Or have their ambulatory customers get a bit of exercise.  Whatever.  It's still a restricted spot and shouldn't be abused.

Having said that -


It would be a shame if one of these found it's way behind each of the errant driver's tires.



http://www.defensedevices.com/tire-spikes.html

what do you think about handicapped spots in truck stops  they have them and yes there are some drivers that have placards. it just seems odd because there are minimuim physical requirements to do the job....

caltrops are illegal to possess in texas {sigh}


The Texas law prohibits the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair or sale of caltrops. But it exempts tire puncture strips that are designed to puncture tires when driven in a specific direction, such as those at car rental facilities...

A nail jammed against the tread will do the same thing.  And only a second longer to place.  Not that I would do that of course.  Just sayin...

[czuch]

Commas ARE important.
I,E, "Lets eat grandma".
That's not my favorite though.