NationStates Jolt Archive

OK, let me share a tale....

My eldest daughter (aged 17) passed her driving test last Thursday, she went out on Friday morning to buy something for her car. Her and her boyfriend and another friend parked in the car park of the local Halfords (a motor accessories store) and she found that she did not have enough cash to buy what she wanted. So they all went to the bank machine to get some cash and on returning found that a £50 parking fine had been put on her car. She was gutted, especially as the notice said that she was not a customer of the store (she had actually bought a £1.99 air freshener) her boyfriend went over to read the sign on the wall about parking fines and suddenly this huge aggressive bloke appeared and started to shout and swear at him, he was very large and intimidating and my daughters boyfriend was convinced the man was going to hit him (it was the parking attendant who had issued the fine), his friend intervened to calm the situation and the three of them went into the store. They decided to leave and went back outside to the car, and as they left the car park, they realised that this man had jumped into his car and was tailgating them. He followed them like this through the town, along several side streets and more than half way to our home, when my daughter got so worked up that she stalled the car at a junction. The guy then jumped out of his car and came and hammered on her windows shouting and using obscene gestures. She managed to then drive away.

When she got home, I tried to call the company, but it is a London based firm (I live on the Isle of Wight) and nobody answers the phone, its just a message to put appeals and complaints in writing. I then called the police, and we had to go to the station to report it. I have to say that the police where not overly helpful, almost insinuating that the three of them must have done something to provoke this car parking guy to behave this way. My daughter did not even speak to him and her boyfriend is a quiet nice guy and so is his friend. But that said, even if they DID say or do something to this man, he had no right to behave the way that he did and I feel that the police should act accordingly. They are now saying to my daughter that she CAN pursue it if she wants to, but they will have to take statements from all three of them and that the car park guy will probably say that they did something to him....I just got the feeling that the policeman was not interested because they are three teenagers and that he felt that they probably deserved what they got. I am SO outraged, I have tried calling the council, who say it is not to do with them, I have called the store manager and explained to him what happened and he has given me the number of the firm that own the car park and I rang them, I spoke with a lady who was nice and helpful and seemed horrified by what happened and told me she would contact the firm that deals with the car park security, but that was several hours ago and I have heard nothing...I just feel that something should be done...and I don't know what I should do now.

Any advice or comments?

let it drop. That would be my advice.

you might try these things... the first thing that meets with success, obviously, stop at that step:

1) Go to the store and confront the manager... i don't know how things work there, but over here if a car's gonna get tagged for loitering in a proprietor's parking lot, it's done at the behest of the store owner/manager.

2) Write the letter to the company. Ask them to pay it.

3) Raise hell in every news/ed medium you can find.

Take a chill pill, it could be a lot worse.

Depends on how far you want to take it. Are you willing to spend the time and effort necessary to investigate the guy who acted this way, maybe try to catch him in another act of intimidation? If you aren't, then you're probably going to have to depend on the good will of the company.

When in doubt, fire solves all problems.

Though in all seriousness you should keep pursuing this issue on as many fronts as possible, and encourage your daughter to do the same. This man in the car park was clearly in the wrong, even if your daughter and her friends did provke him somehow he had no right to harrass them as he did. Did he damage the car in any way?

Personally I wouldn't drop it until I got a result. But that's just me. I would ring people, friends in high places, specific council members, parking company and whoever the hell else.. Heh, but I love doing those kinda things so yea.

Wait ....

You have people patrolling the parking lots in front of stores in the UK who have the power to issue citations and fines?

Zany!

Do you know who this guy actually worked for? It sounds to me like he was just a random person, rather than affilated with the car park or the store. Well, he didn't end up using violence, so it would be fine to just drop it. However, I'd say you have every right to follow this up... maybe go to the police again? Do what they suggested and press charges if it really bothers you.

EDIT: oh, and failing that, like Ilfreann (sorry... can't spell your name) said, lots and lots of violence solves all problems. Observe.

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20060506

When in doubt, fire solves all problems.

Though in all seriousness you should keep pursuing this issue on as many fronts as possible, and encourage your daughter to do the same. This man in the car park was clearly in the wrong, even if your daughter and her friends did provke him somehow he had no right to harrass them as he did. Did he damage the car in any way?


I don't think he did, but he did frighten my daughter, and the fact that this huge bloke followed her more than a mile and then got out and hammered on her windows really freaked her out. She is not the worlds most confident person and she was SO pleased to pass her test. And I do agree that it doesn't matter if they DID provoke him (which she tells me they didn't, and I DO believe her) it does not justify him doing what he did.

Write to The Sun, The Mirror and all your local newspapers. That is my advice.

In America (sort of sadly, I think) media attention is usually the solution to this sort of problem. If it works the same way there, perhaps your local TV news and/or newspaper might be interested in pursuing the story. If you have the parking fine and the receipt proving she was a customer, that is even better, as you can prove that they were at least that far wrong. Usually stores do not want the negative attention, and you would probably get the fine reversed and get an apology.

I would say that it would certainly be worth following up on, this guy sounds dangerous, and the next time he might actually hurt somebody. Don't get angry with the police, but do be firm about insisting that they do their jobs, and that you intend to back your daughter up on this, so they are NOT just dealing with a couple of kids, but with a determined parent whose child was threatened.

In America (sort of sadly, I think) media attention is usually the solution to this sort of problem. If it works the same way there, perhaps your local TV news and/or newspaper might be interested in pursuing the story. If you have the parking fine and the receipt proving she was a customer, that is even better, as you can prove that they were at least that far wrong. Usually stores do not want the negative attention, and you would probably get the fine reversed and get an apology.

I would say that it would certainly be worth following up on, this guy sounds dangerous, and the next time he might actually hurt somebody. Don't get angry with the police, but do be firm about insisting that they do their jobs, and that you intend to back your daughter up on this, so they are NOT just dealing with a couple of kids, but with a determined parent whose child was threatened.


I do have the fine, and the receipt, and the time on the receipt is 10.55am and the time on the penalty charge notice is 11am. I think that he realised that he had issued the ticket in error and THAT was why he was angry, and maybe the two boys said something to him or looked at him funny, I was not there and so can't say for certain, but as I have said already, it doesn't justify his behaviour. And thank you, I do feel like she was threatened by this jerk and want to stop him doing stuff like this to other people.

let it drop. That would be my advice.
i would agree. not to belittle the situation or the emotional distress it may have caused your daughter and co (and yourself), but i wouldn't say its police business. if you need to do something then complaining to Halfords in writing and/or writing to your local paper might be a route forward, but since nobody got hurt and the attendant was being merely an asshole, there's not really grounds for prosecution or much in the way of police or official involvement imho.

when my dad and i went to take photos of the local docks by moonlight a while back (cos the moon was really big and pretty), and some fishermen there started getting really aggressive and pushing us about, it was distressing but nothing we could do - not a police matter. we suspected they objected to us being there because they were fishing without permits where you shouldn't (or worse - maybe criminal activity - they certainly didn't seem like normal people out for a midnight fish... very much thuggish and aggressive), and we went back the next night to see if they were still there, in order to alert the authorities they were fishing without licence (the pier says "no fishing" all over the place), but sadly they were gone.
point of that story is to say that (some) people are assholes, and the best thing you can do is just say safe, stay home, and not get in an asshole's way when they're about...


edit: to whom is the fine payable?
oh and :fluffle: for you and your daughter

That is true to an extent, but the policeman we spoke to actually said that this guy DID commit offences and that he COULD be prosecuted, he just made the whole thing sound like he thought that the three of them 'deserved' it. The police have been here again today to speak to her, but she is in school.

:fluffle: Thank you PM. The fine is payable to the firm this goon works for.....

It sounds like the guy that threatened and intimidated you daughter and her friends is dangerous and unstable.

I would address the parking ticket with a letter to the retailer and the parking establishment, along with the receipt for the air freshener she purchased as proof that she was a paying customer there and not just loitering.

I'm not sure what you have to gain by a complaint against the aggressive lunatic. Personally, I would file against him and also check him out myself, off the record. I dont know what your able to deal with. He sounds like the type of guy thats vindictive and may act on his grudge.

So- my advice would be to fight the ticket- if you have a time stamped and dated reciept, that helps a lot and you also have two witnesses- your daughter's boyfriend and friend.
You might be better off letting things go with the nut.

personaly if it was me and my child I'd go hell bent for leather other it. Let it drop if you wish, but then these overbearing jobsworths get away with it again .

Ask youself how is it when a child at school is getting bullied, that the right thing to do is to fight tooth and nail to make it stop, but when an adult bullies an adult it is time to let it drop? Don't make sanse to me, letting it drop is not going to get rid of bullying.

Using your physical size to intimidate is bullying, in addition if this man did commit an offence, then it would be wrong not to bring the forces of law down upon him, and further if this man is shit at his job then his employers should be made aware.

In the end though it is your(or your daughters) call, me self, heheh now I'd find it very hard not to get down there with a large lump o wood in me hands lookin' for the man that thinks he can threaten my family. Sheeeesh perhaps though that is just the family I grewup in.

That is true to an extent, but the policeman we spoke to actually said that this guy DID commit offences and that he COULD be prosecuted, he just made the whole thing sound like he thought that the three of them 'deserved' it. The police have been here again today to speak to her, but she is in school.

hmm ok... well i stand by what i said, sorry

:fluffle: Thank you PM. The fine is payable to the firm this goon works for.....
refuse to pay? (my pleasure - i do understand its so unpleasant to feel powerless and confused in the face of distress or insult like this :-S )

I don't think he did, but he did frighten my daughter, and the fact that this huge bloke followed her more than a mile and then got out and hammered on her windows really freaked her out. She is not the worlds most confident person and she was SO pleased to pass her test. And I do agree that it doesn't matter if they DID provoke him (which she tells me they didn't, and I DO believe her) it does not justify him doing what he did.

Correct-there is no justification to follow someone and then pound on their car, regardless of what your daughter/friends did or didnt do.

The only legal reason he could have to follow them would be to obtain a description/license plate # for him to report an offence, NOT to threaten,confront, intimidate or harrass.

Ask the retailer if this is the way they want their customers treated? Do they think a customer-right or wrong- would return to shop there after this experience?

let it drop. That would be my advice.
Hell no. If the the police wont do anything, and no one else is gonna do anything, theen there is only one thing to do.

Track him down and baseball bat his fuckin' head. After all, that is the only justice bullies deserve.

And look, no gun smilie.

You're not overreacting...the kids could have gotten really hurt by this crazy guy. Good for you for reporting it, although probably the only good it will do is to put the guy in the system so the next time it happens they'll have a file on him and maybe something will be done.

Sorry about all the crazy people out there. I feel somehow responsible. (Darn genetic experiments...what was I thinking?)

Hell no. If the the police wont do anything, and no one else is gonna do anything, theen there is only one thing to do.

Track him down and baseball bat his fuckin' head. After all, that is the only justice bullies deserve.

And look, no gun smilie.
no matter how much of a jerk he is, or how many laws he broke, if she doesn't have any personal information (name, tag number,ect.) the police can't do much.

She can call the store and complain, but if the jerk doesn't work there, they can't do much either.

The situation probably was very scary but in the end there isn't much of a point throwing a big fit about it when there isn't anything that can be done.

About the 'let it go' thing..

I watched a T.V program tonight about an Indian man who didn't 'let it go' when police told him to do this. He was trying to find about his missing sister and her family. Well, I don't want to go into too many details but pretty much he kept pushing and investigating it himself and without his help the crime (the family was all killed) wouldn't have been solved by the police.

I know this is nothing like your situation, but hey. You keep at it, you'll get results in one form or another.

OK, let me share a tale....

My eldest daughter (aged 17) passed her driving test last Thursday, she went out on Friday morning to buy something for her car. Her and her boyfriend and another friend parked in the car park of the local Halfords (a motor accessories store) and she found that she did not have enough cash to buy what she wanted. So they all went to the bank machine to get some cash and on returning found that a £50 parking fine had been put on her car. She was gutted, especially as the notice said that she was not a customer of the store (she had actually bought a £1.99 air freshener) her boyfriend went over to read the sign on the wall about parking fines and suddenly this huge aggressive bloke appeared and started to shout and swear at him, he was very large and intimidating and my daughters boyfriend was convinced the man was going to hit him (it was the parking attendant who had issued the fine), his friend intervened to calm the situation and the three of them went into the store. They decided to leave and went back outside to the car, and as they left the car park, they realised that this man had jumped into his car and was tailgating them. He followed them like this through the town, along several side streets and more than half way to our home, when my daughter got so worked up that she stalled the car at a junction. The guy then jumped out of his car and came and hammered on her windows shouting and using obscene gestures. She managed to then drive away.

When she got home, I tried to call the company, but it is a London based firm (I live on the Isle of Wight) and nobody answers the phone, its just a message to put appeals and complaints in writing. I then called the police, and we had to go to the station to report it. I have to say that the police where not overly helpful, almost insinuating that the three of them must have done something to provoke this car parking guy to behave this way. My daughter did not even speak to him and her boyfriend is a quiet nice guy and so is his friend. But that said, even if they DID say or do something to this man, he had no right to behave the way that he did and I feel that the police should act accordingly. They are now saying to my daughter that she CAN pursue it if she wants to, but they will have to take statements from all three of them and that the car park guy will probably say that they did something to him....I just got the feeling that the policeman was not interested because they are three teenagers and that he felt that they probably deserved what they got. I am SO outraged, I have tried calling the council, who say it is not to do with them, I have called the store manager and explained to him what happened and he has given me the number of the firm that own the car park and I rang them, I spoke with a lady who was nice and helpful and seemed horrified by what happened and told me she would contact the firm that deals with the car park security, but that was several hours ago and I have heard nothing...I just feel that something should be done...and I don't know what I should do now.

Any advice or comments?


Let's face it, there are a LOT more idiots, maniacs, and b!@#$%^s out there than when your grandma was 7 years old. And MOST of them are supported by drugs, illegal things, and lots of other things I can't remembuh.

SO:

% Of idiots, maniacs, and b!@#$%^s in 1956: 42-35

% Of idiots, maniacs, and b!@#$%^s in 2006-beyond: 9999999

One word for you:
Watchdog


yeah sure they will blow things out of proportion but they seem to absolutly love stories about carparking attendants and thier parent compaies. If you can get the right spin on it you will likely end up with Halfords dumping the parking contractor and if thigns go really well we will get to see the nutjob punch Nicky Campbell in the face.

Bah you silly english people with your trespass laws and parking agencies, what you really need is soem good old scottish right to roam legislation and to only be able to issue fines if they are parking in a "restricted" place.

I'd go to the store and call the manager. If that didn't work, I'd buy a friggin' pack of GUM and use up TWO spots in that damned place ALL DAY LONG FOR IT. EVERY FRIGGIN' DAY until I got what I wanted: The fine revoked and the guy's head on a platter. I don't have a daughter, but if they ever did this to one of mine, I'd make sure they paid HELL. I'd make a scene in the store, I'd call the media, heck I'd even apply a nice baseball bat hit to the guy if need be, but my daughter WOULD GET JUSTICE. I'd call the company at London, call the media, and, basically, call everyone and their cousins. I'd picket in front of the place to make it awkward, and I'd xerox the recepit (paid) and hand it out to potential customers in front of the place. NOBODY would ever mess with me or my daughter AGAIN, I'd make sure to point out that I'd be delivering the same treatment to anyone who did. This, friends, is called making an example of them. It's also called borderline terrorism, but only borderline. :p

One word for you:
Watchdog

yeah sure they will blow things out of proportion but they seem to absolutly love stories about carparking attendants and thier parent compaies. If you can get the right spin on it you will likely end up with Halfords dumping the parking contractor and if thigns go really well we will get to see the nutjob punch Nicky Campbell in the face.

Bah you silly english people with your trespass laws and parking agencies, what you really need is soem good old scottish right to roam legislation and to only be able to issue fines if they are parking in a "restricted" place.

Agreed. But a .38 snub nose revolver is much easier to transport than a watchdog. It also never chases other revolvers or pees on the carpet.

Oh, wait. This the UK. Sorry. :(

I don't want to come off as a prick, so forgive me if I do. I have a bit of experience similar to your daughters...

my advice? Get used to it. It happens all the time. As far as the fine goes, pay it, and let it drop. Worst that will happen to that guy is a light slap on the wrist, if that. The sad fact is, it was three teenagers, two of which are male. they will be followed, harassed, and inconvenienced often, and usually not believed.

the actual important thing is not the fine or the jackass who harassed your daughter and her friends. The important thing is to make sure that your daughter knows that you believe and trust that her story is true, and she didn't do something to deserve it. After just getting her license, your first ticket is scary, and something that isn't easy to tell your parents. Just let her know that you understand, and you'll help her take care of it, be it by paying or just by giving her the support she needs.

When you're a 20 year old guy with a goatee, spiky hair, and piercings, you get used to this kind of thing. The good news is your daughter most likely wont have to deal with it nearly as much, but it will happen. I'm sorry that it did tho...I hope she is doing okay

I would not drop it.

I would go in person to speak calmly to the manager of the store, showing him the receipt and the fine.

I would politely explain in detail how your daughter was treated by this lunatic who is associated, however tenuously, with the store.

I would then explain that unless the manager intervened and had the fine dropped, I would tell every person I knew what a terrible experience she had there and do my best to steer them to other auto stores.

I would write to the local newspapers, especially their consumer reporter, and tell them about it.

I would definitely pursue the stalking and attacking aspects of this.

And if I EVER saw that man near my kid again, I'd be in handcuffs, but HE'D be in a bodybag.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES would I pay that fine.

EDIT: Don't pay it, call a solicitor and contest it in court ... loudly.

I would not drop it.

I would go in person to speak calmly to the manager of the store, showing him the receipt and the fine.

I would politely explain in detail how your daughter was treated by this lunatic who is associated, however tenuously, with the store.

I would then explain that unless the manager intervened and had the fine dropped, I would tell every person I knew what a terrible experience she had there and do my best to steer them to other auto stores.

I would write to the local newspapers, especially their consumer reporter, and tell them about it.

I would definitely pursue the stalking and attacking aspects of this.

And if I EVER saw that man near my kid again, I'd be in handcuffs, but HE'D be in a bodybag.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES would I pay that fine.

As you've seen before, I'd do about the same thing, but maybe with more crazyness and panache. Also, being more inconvenient. And reveling in being inconvenient towards those that dare hurt my kin. I have the ability to find out what makes people tick and keep on doing it until they burst. I'd apply that skill to the store. To the manager. To the store CEO. To the police. TO EVERYONE, until my daughter gets justice. Picture me with a crazed, toothy smile and a limp if you will. I'd not let them BREATHE until they were on my feet, begging for mercy and thanking me if they got any!

I would not drop it.

I would go in person to speak calmly to the manager of the store, showing him the receipt and the fine.

I would politely explain in detail how your daughter was treated by this lunatic who is associated, however tenuously, with the store.

I would then explain that unless the manager intervened and had the fine dropped, I would tell every person I knew what a terrible experience she had there and do my best to steer them to other auto stores.

I would write to the local newspapers, especially their consumer reporter, and tell them about it.

I would definitely pursue the stalking and attacking aspects of this.

And if I EVER saw that man near my kid again, I'd be in handcuffs, but HE'D be in a bodybag.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES would I pay that fine.

EDIT: Don't pay it, call a solicitor and contest it in court ... loudly.
ya know...reading that, I want to agree. I really do, but I just can't. I have the feeling this is due in large part to the fact that I try to handle this kinda thing without my parents ever since it started happening, but I've found that it just isn't worth my effort. Sure, they might drop the fine, but every time I would return to those places, they remembered me, and would follow me through the stores and in the parking lot (I usually got accused of trying to shoplift or make drug deals or the one time they accused me of trying to statutory rape my cousin...yeah...). I'm sure, as an older adult than myself, you would command a bit more respect, and could afford to react that way.

This was just meant to explain my position a little better. Perhaps as an older adult, Kats method is your best course. However, I would suggest that she be careful returning to that store, no matter how polite they are towards you.

I'd suggest you request a meeting with the manager, the parking attendant and yourself, your daughter and her b/f.
For all you know, your g/f mightn't be telling the whole truth, and it gives the attendant the chance to give his side of the story, and apologising (if necessary).
Try to sort it out civilily first.

Bah. If this were america, you could just go with your daughter to that store once in a while, with a CCP. Guy gets in your face, and ya shoot em!

Or, you know... not, I suppose.

OK this is an update on the story thus far....to all of you who told me to drop it...Sorry, but I refuse to. I do not want any of my children to think that it is OK for people to treat them like this....I want my children to grow up to respect other people and to be respected. I do not think that being treated with common courtesy is too much to expect and the fact that people DO roll over and take shit like this is the reason why this kind of thing happens.

As I said, I rang the manager of the store, and explained the situation to him in a calm and reasonable manner (I am a calm and reasonable person) He agreed with me that this was not an acceptable way for this man to behave, and he gave me the details of the management company who own the site and employ the firm that this goon works for. As you know I rang the firm, and spoke to the managing agent, a lovely lady by the name of Emma...(I am aware that being polite and friendly is part of her job) She listened to the story, and asked a couple of questions, agreed with me that the behaviour of this man could not be justified under ANY circumstance and when I posted I was awaiting a response...

WELL, Emma rang me back in the afternoon to tell me that she had been in contact with the firm that they employ to deal with their car park security, she had explained the situation to them and that person had found it serious enough to tell the managing director of the company. He was in a meeting for most of the day but the firm were on the case...at just after 5pm my phone rang and it was the managing director of the company, and he explained to me who he was, and that he understood that an incident had occurred and could he please hear our side of events...which I then told him. He then told me that he has spoken to this goons supervisor, and that the story differed somewhat in certain key aspects, mainly that on leaving the car park, the three teenagers verbally abused him and he did not follow them, just happened to be going in the same direction. He told his supervisor a totally different route that the one taken by my daughter. I then described the route exactly, and told him the street names and the exact place that my daughter stalled her car and the guy leaped out and hammered on the car etc. He was full of apology, he said in the first instance the ticket had been issued in error, that people are allowed an hour to park on the site and she was there half that time even according to the ticket that was issued, and as to the guys behaviour, there was NO excuse for it and if this guy felt he had been abused then he should just have backed away and avoided any confrontation and in no way aggravated the situation by swearing and then following in his car...

He asked to speak to my daughter, apologised in full, the guy is being disciplined and it will go on his permanent record. (The boss is coming down from London to do this HIMSELF) The ticket is voided so there is no fine and this morning the police rang and they are going to speak to the guy regarding his threatening behaviour and they will consider prosecution after they have interviewed him.

I am satisfied that I did the right thing, I have shown my children that I value them enough to not let people treat them badly. I hope that they have ALL learnt a lesson that if you KNOW that you are in the right, that you should NEVER roll over and take it. Life shits on people who do, and while I am not telling them to be aggressive (I was polite and calm at ALL times) I want my children to have a good life, and learning that I think it is OK for people to treat them in an unacceptable way will only show them that I don't think that they are worth making an effort for.

My children are the most important people in my world, I expect them to treat people with respect and to act responsibly...I also expect them to be treated in the same way.

My daughter left the house for school this morning feeling much better about herself and empowered rather than a victim of injustice....I think that is the ONLY justification I need to have pursued this.

Well done Carisbrooke, it's always nice to know that one person can make a difference

Justice will prevail!!!

oh and for all the lots and lots of violence solves everything crew...
lots and lots of non violence!

http://www.aforcemorepowerful.org/resources/nonviolent/methods.php

p.s. check out the game as well, good idea methinks

My children are the most important people in my world, I expect them to treat people with respect and to act responsibly...I also expect them to be treated in the same way.

My daughter left the house for school this morning feeling much better about herself and empowered rather than a victim of injustice....I think that is the ONLY justification I need to have pursued this.Good job! :)

Well done Carisbrooke, it's always nice to know that one person can make a difference

Justice will prevail!!!



Laerod: Good job!

Thank you both! I am really pleased that I did not let this go. I hope that because of me pursuing this two things will come from it.

1. My 3 children will have learned a valuable lesson about standing up for what is right and not allowing yourself to be bullied or treated unjustly without making at least an effort to address it.

2. The Car Park goon learns that he can not behave that way and get away with it, and maybe stops him from doing something like that or worse, again.

No one should treat people in that way. If you'd let it drop, he'd probably have repeated his actions in future - why wouldn't he, if no one is prepared to try and stop him?

So fair play to you, I think you did the right thing. Hopefully this moron will know better than to go around bullying people again. Great result! :)

am satisfied that I did the right thing, I have shown my children that I value them enough to not let people treat them badly. I hope that they have ALL learnt a lesson that if you KNOW that you are in the right, that you should NEVER roll over and take it. Life shits on people who do, and while I am not telling them to be aggressive (I was polite and calm at ALL times) I want my children to have a good life, and learning that I think it is OK for people to treat them in an unacceptable way will only show them that I don't think that they are worth making an effort for.


This day, for your courage and parenting skills, you earn my deep respect.

Justice for the little guy makes me all tingly.
Seeing those with power shit all over everyone else makes me angrier than anything, and what this guy did was wrong.
By just letting it go as others recommended you would have shown your kids that theres nothing you can do when having been dealt a bad hand.

You absolutely did the best thing.

Bravo!

This guy had had absolutely no reason to tailgate your daughter and friends unless he was looking for a fight. If he was provolked and he had a problem with them then the proper thing he should have done was to call the police and make a compaint. He took it upon himself to act like an idiot which is utterly inappropriate especially if he is an employee of the company who runs the car park. Your daughter should pursue this with the police and with this man's employers.

As for the fine. If there is a sign posted about parking fines for non-customers then I don't see anyway around that unless the sign was posted in a place which was not immediately obvious.

BackwoodsSquatches :fluffle: Thank you.

Kazcaper :fluffle: Thank you

I was just on the phone to a friend of mine and she told me I ought to get a Tshirt that says 'Don't Fuck with me OR my Family' It makes me sound like some Mafia god-mother....

:rolleyes:

BackwoodsSquatches :fluffle: Thank you.


Nay Madam, thank you.

I know what I'd do if this situation happened in the U.S. First of all, I'd write a strongly-worded letter both to the company that operates the store and to the company that handles parking security. Secondly, I'd follow up by escalating it up the chain of command until I got to a point where I talked to someone.

If that didn't resolve the issue, I'd go to the media with it. A local television station might do a report on it or the local newspaper might get on the case. A bit of negative publicity, perhaps with some "me too" stories later and then you might get a resolution.

Failing that, appear in court with your daughter, her boyfriend and his/her friend and testify against the attendant. At the very least, he ought to be charged with something on the order of aggravated assault.

You're most certainly not overreacting to the situation. If it happened to me, I bet my father would be in the guy's face himself.

OK, let me share a tale....
...

Any advice or comments?

i would be outraged too. that's appalling behaviour. that's what happens when you let private companies run parking attendants - they'll ticket anyone and employ any lunatic with an attitude problem. there's not a lot the police can do about it though cuz it would be the kids' word against the parking attendant's. unless you can find witnesses for him accosting your daughter when she stalled, in which case he could be charged with harrassment or roadrage or something cuz that was beyond what he could reasonably do even if he said the kids did something to provoke his anger. i should think there would be no problem getting out of the parking fine though. all they'd need to do is show their receipt for their purchase and it will be revoked.

Good for you, Caris! Your plan lacked my dysfunctional insane panáche, but it worked wonderfully! :)

To do a free quote from a game: Civilization III, Henry of the Portuguese, when he gets threatened:

"If one acts in an unreasonable way, he can't expect a reasonable answer."

Well, your answer WAS reasonable, and it worked, so that quote works for... nil. o_o Ah well.

Anyways, kudos!

Leave England?

I mean, packing heat is not an option there, so...

Wait ....

You have people patrolling the parking lots in front of stores in the UK who have the power to issue citations and fines?

Zany!

they patrol all places, not just parking lots. they can also clamp cars. I believe the fines total over a billion pounds a year, although, like in this case, most of them are unjustified.

wow...I'm impressed, and glad to hear that it turned out so well. Congratulations. and you are right, you showed your children a very good lesson, and that you care. Very nice work.

AND.....

Today I got a new job!

I know it has nothing to do with the thread....but it was me that started the thread so I figured that I could say this without anyone minding...

I go on Monday and Tuesday for training etc.

I feel totally empowered now...best not mess with me! ;)

Ohh what you doin?

I shall be working for M&S.........

Shhhhhh

Don't tell everybody.....

I shall be working for M&S.........

Shhhhhh

Don't tell everybody.....
I've got a nice pair of trainers from M&S.

...that's all I can add, really. :p

Hope the job goes well. :)

Thank you

I hope it does too...part of the interview involved me accosting people and introducing myself, whilst being watched by the interviewer...it was a strange and slightly scary thing to do! But people were really nice about it.

Heh we used to buy all of our food from M&S, then we had kids.

I shall be working for M&S.........

Shhhhhh

Don't tell everybody.....

HEY EVERYBODY! THIS PERSON CAN GET DISCOUNT AT M&S!!! :p

I could never work there. Those frickin' adverts with all of the food just makes me REALLY hungry, especially with the chocolate pudding with that deliciously creamy, melted chocolate centre drench in... ... OH GOD NO!!!!

HEY EVERYBODY! THIS PERSON CAN GET DISCOUNT AT M&S!!! :p

I could never work there. Those frickin' adverts with all of the food just makes me REALLY hungry, especially with the chocolate pudding with that deliciously creamy, melted chocolate centre drench in... ... OH GOD NO!!!!


Yeah but did you notice how big it looked next to the fork?

To do a free quote from a game: Civilization III, Henry of the Portuguese, when he gets threatened:

"If one acts in an unreasonable way, he can't expect a reasonable answer."


Great quote. Please forward to every world leader, especially from Iran, the US, Venezuela, and North Korea.

it's not just any job....it's an M&S job...

I have had THREE people say that to me today...lets count them shall we...1..2..3....

So has the ad campaign entered the nations consciousness?

*pictures chocolate oozing from the chocolate sponge...groans...I will gain weight now, i know it

it's not just any job....it's an M&S job...

I have had THREE people say that to me today...lets count them shall we...1..2..3....

So has the ad campaign entered the nations consciousness?

*pictures chocolate oozing from the chocolate sponge...groans...I will gain weight now, i know it

Goddamn M&S adverts! Even after I have eaten, those things STILL make me hungry. Especially with the chocolate!!!!!!!!!