That's my take on it, ita. Though, I've been tsk-tsk'd for going in the handicapped stall.

My best car ever, '77 Toyota GT Liftback, was named Jake. After the boy in Sixteen Candles. I took Jake over from my sister in '82 or '83. I don't think she'd named him. He saw me through two years of high school, four years of college, and about a year after that. Finally donated him to Goodwill after he developed some wiring problem that no one seemed able to fix. I always hoped he ended up with some teenager who liked to tinker with cars.

That's the protocol I've always followed, ita. No taking the handicapped stall if others are available (unless of course I have Annabel in the stroller, in which case it becomes the only viable choice), and no taking it if there's anyone handicapped behind you in line, but otherwise it's fair game.

Am I mistaken in thinking the standard handicapped stall protocol is that it's up for grabs, except handicapped people go straight to the head of the line?

That's my understanding, though I'll use another stall unless thay're all full. I'm not sure if that's because of protocol or preference.

Am I mistaken in thinking the standard handicapped stall protocol is that it's up for grabs, except handicapped people go straight to the head of the line?

That's my stance. I'm open to correction, but that's my stance. I made frequent use of the handicap stalls when I was with Julia, before she was old enough to take care of everything herself, because it was easier for two of us to fit comfortably in the stall.

Yeah, I usally use a different stall (the handicapped seat is too high to me, usually), but if there's no one around who's about to need the big stall? What's the big whoop?

No taking the handicapped stall if others are available

Me, I take it even if others are available -- I wonder if I'm violating an unspoken etiquette.

Am I mistaken in thinking the standard handicapped stall protocol is that it's up for grabs, except handicapped people go straight to the head of the line?

I've always treated it that way, though sometimes I feel guilty -- what if I take it on a whim, and someone comes in who really needs it 30 seconds later?

And then I remind myself that has never happened in the last 20-some years, and quit feeling guilty. But, anyhow, I'll be interested to see what the consensus is.

Frankly, I don't see how Spock would be good at slaying Sith....

Well, for starts he has a brain and would use the power of logic to a) see that Palpatine was a Sith Lord; b) not assign the known to be unstable Annakin to keep an eye on him; and c) when he showed up to arrest the exceedingly powerful evil guy he'd bring some staff.

Me, I take it even if others are available -- I wonder if I'm violating an unspoken etiquette.

I don't think so. I mean, (edit: I mean to say "OTHER THAN") in a nursing home or someplace where there are an atypical number of people who need the big stall, I don't see the problem.

But again, I do feel free to use the men's room.