My wife is not in a wheel chair - yet - but after two back surgeries and a hip repair, she does need that spot. Sure, she can walk around the store if she has a shopping cart to lean on, but an extra 50 or 100 yards to park elsewhere just isn't in the cards. What actually trips my relief valve, though, is when someone decides that they know better. A couple of years ago, I heard a guy comment as he walked by, "she doesn't look handicapped to me." I told him that until he had a medical degree, he could just STF up, and if he did, by chance, have a medical degree, he could still STF up. Then there was a guy who walked up to me as I was taking some packages back to my car while my wife was still in the store. His idea of being a good citizen was asking me if I was pregnant. I caught his meaning, then told him that if he had asked me in a civil manner, I would have explained, but since he was being a prick, he could kiss my ass.

Nothing against any of you guys, because you make good points and I applaud your choices. However, sometimes the gate swings the other way, and I'm too old and grumpy to take it anymore.

By the way, do you know how to tell a handicapped space here in Italy? It's easy. An able-bodied Italian is parked in it.