Threatening behaviour when parking

FreddieFrugal

Hello, feeling very cross about a parking related situation.

I teach on supply. Was called up this morning to teach a class. Drove to the school, knew I wouldn't be able to get through the gate as required a fob to open, and small chance of office staff being there when I arrived. Wanted to get in and sorted soon as possible. So drove back out into the estate to find somewhere suitable to park.

Picked a spot, was over 3 metres down the road from the dropped curb of the nearest house. And not opposite any other drive. Perfect.

As I get out, an elderly chap comes out from a house on other side of road, ranting and raving. Along the lines of 'we' shouldn't have to be looking at your car all day, p*** off with it somewhere else. This is a private road we paid for it with our houses. I'm fed up of people parking on the road.

I should move it to the council estate.

I calmly explained that there were no parking restrictions, this was a public road, I had every right to park there and had also made sure out of courtesy that I wouldn't be inconveniencing anyone with where I'd put it.

More swearing from the man followed.
He went on to threaten that I may come back to find a burst tire if I left it there. I walked away. He shouted after something along the lines of 'I warned you'.

I did, which I have to say I'm incredibly angry about, return and moved my car, after once again explaining that I had every right to be there, couldn't do with the agro, and the man sounded like he was at risk of giving himself a pulmonary he was acting so rediculously.

Now though I'm still feeling quite stressed after it. I felt compelled to move my car which was legally and couteously (I'd thought) parked because of the belligerent and threatening behaviour of this man.

I feel like I should report it incase this has or will happen to someone else. What would you do?

Mr_Mink

I'd say listen to some calm music have a cuppa and just let the emotions settle. This time tomorrow you'll be laughing at the ridiculous old man, not worth stressing over.

Just do your best to forget about it. It seems tough right now but after a night's sleep it'll be small fry compared to what I'd imaging a teacher has to put up with on a daily basis.

lovinituk

Its seems to be a common complaint of many elderly who have nothing better to do with their day. Years ago, a friends neighbour was like this and equally as abusive and threatening. We always told him to f off and call the police if he felt we were in the wrong. He never did and he never touched any of the cars he complained about.

If I was you I would spend some of my free time parked outside his house with a big grin on my face

Quentin

IanRi wrote: »

......I feel like I should report it incase this has or will happen to someone else. What would you do?

Move on (with my life)

UsernameAlreadyExists

IanRi wrote: »

What would you do?

Park somewhere else in future

anotherbaldrick

I would make a written report to the Turnip Tops, you're probably not the first person he has abused and not the last . Such behaviour is a civil offence.

lovinituk

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

But one day you'll learn how incredibly frustrating and rude it seems when strangers use the outside of your home as a parking space. Even though they have a perfect right to do so.

We get it now as we live in a cul-de-sac that has a cut-through path way to the local school. I have to say that I have never found it rude or frustrating and never will. Unless someone is actually causing an obstruction then I don't see the problem. Its nothing but snobbery when people get funny about it when there is no obstruction caused.

ilikewatch

Many years ago, when faced with similar abuse from someone who lived in the house I parked outside when going to work I bought an absolutely knackered old van with 6 months T&T and left it outside there house for 4 months before scrapping it for a net profit.

FreddieFrugal

Mr_Mink wrote: »

I'd say listen to some calm music have a cuppa and just let the emotions settle. This time tomorrow you'll be laughing at the ridiculous old man, not worth stressing over.

Just do your best to forget about it. It seems tough right now but after a night's sleep it'll be small fry compared to what I'd imaging a teacher has to put up with on a daily basis.

Yep you're right. See if the man had come out and asked me politely whether I could move the car as he was having someone visit who needed the space , I'd have done so straight away. (although the road was completely empty it's also wide enough to do a U-turn in)
But he just didn't like it being in his 'territory'.

Putting up with cars everywhere is just a fact of life really. Sometimes we have two cars, just outside parked half on pavement on opposite sides of the road and it's a real squeeze getting out.

I wouldn't threaten to slash tires and swear at the people though...just maybe in my head.

PlymouthMaid

Seems a bit unreasonable to me to consider anybody parking outside your home as rude and frustrating. We do not own the road outside our houses. It would be a bit annoying if the same person parked there every single day I suppose but we still have no right to lose our rag.

I think if I thought that the ranting old chap made a habit of it, I may mention it to the local police and ask if they could have a word with him. Then again I may not bother.

fivetide

Got a phone? Film him. If anything happens, show plod. In fact, call plod while you are there and tell them someone is using threatening behaviour.

I'd park there on principle.