In hysterics - and really embarassed about it!

Badger_Lady

I hardly ever cry - probably once a year on average - so when it does happen I really go for it!

I dropped by Kwik Fit on my way home to book an MOT, feeling a little nervous as the mechanics were sat outside having their break and I always get that twinge of paranoia when parking that they're judging me as a "woman driver" (silly, I know). Also, not looking my best - in fact, I'm wearing pyjama bottoms under my baggy trousers!

Anyway, pulling back out again onto a very busy road during rush hour...

Waiting for 2-3 minutes, with my car right across the pavement, I finally spot a gap just big enough to pull into (I drive an automatic sports car at the moment)...

So I take my foot off the brake and the car rolls forward about an inch, maybe two before I slam the brake back on again realising that a young lady has just skipped round the front of my car (i.e. off the pavement and onto the side of the road). She was almost round and obviously jumped when she saw the car move, but wasn't touched by it and skipped back onto the pavement.

Of course, I was a bit shocked to suddenly see her, so I started shouting "I'm sorry - are you OK?", but in my panic couldn't find the button to wind the window down...

Meanwhile, her Vinne Jones lookalike boyfriend starts jumping up and down waving his hands around - I didn't hear what he was saying until he lunged at my car, throwing the door open while yelling "open your f**ing door!".

Through the now open door, I tried to stutter out an apology, but he was off - put his face right inside my car screaming "That's BO***CKS!!! You f***ing B***ch, how f***ing DARE you, you may as well just killed her, you f***ing IDIOT! Always the women, eh? Always the women f***ing idiot drivers?", then slammed my door and marched off.

Now - not only was I now shaking sat in my car, far too taken aback to continue driving, I had to reverse back into the Kwik Fit carpark in front of everyone and start hysterically crying behind the wheel!

One of the mechanics did approach me kindly and say "are you OK?", and I held it together enough to say "Yeah, I just need 5 minutes to calm down" before proceeding to hyperventilate...

Now I've managed to drive home but I still can't breathe! I know I was in the wrong, but can someone please tell me there was at least an overreaction, and at best a joint accountability???

cheekyweegit

What a numpty - her and him not you Badger_Lady. I do hope your ok. I would blame her as common sense tells you whether your a driver or not that you don't walk infront of a car trying to pull out of a junction.

I've even taught my kids that if they need to cross a road and there is a car at the junction always cross behind it unless the driver has signalled to you he will wait for you to cross, and to be aware that the car might roll back as they try to pull off so never cross too close to their rear.

As for the idiot or a boyfriend - a picture of Neanderthal man springs to mind of him in his loin cloth carrying a club! He had no right to do that and you could easily if you want to report him to the police for his threatening behaviour and you have witnesses from Kwik Fit although I'm surprised they never came to your aide sooner.

Hope you feel better soon, but in the mean time have a strong cuppa and a chocolate biscuit (chocolate always seems to help when your female) and a virtual hug from me and the kleenex are ready if you need them.

PS Are you sure you want to use Kwik fit for your MOT, they are quite expensive and often don't have that great a reputation. Why don't you post on the motoring board and ask if there is anyone near you who knows a wee local garage which will undoubtedly charge you a lot less for your MOT.

Good luck.

Little_Chicken

Bless! Just put it down to experience - who reacts like that anyway. You didn't hurt them, spanners!!!

Doozergirl

What an idiot. These things do happen, but it isn't clever to walk infront of a car that is trying to turn out at all.

I wonder whether he feels proud of he did. I hope he feels bad otherwise he really is not someone worth bothering yourself about Fancy doing that to a lady, anyone really.

Bug hug to you. Glass of wine, Property Ladder and the Apprentice in order. :kisses3:

Badger_Lady

Thank you everyone - you really made me smile!

I've managed to calm down now, although knowing me there will be little weepy moments all evening :rolleyes:. I'm just waiting in for a Freecycler to pick up my bed base, then it's straight down to the kitchen for wine and chocolate (or I might even up it to a brandy!).

I think what does bug me is that I can predict just how the Vinnie-man is feeling: he's feeling that he's done a public service, shouting at the stupid, dangerous woman driver. He feels that he was completely in the right, teaching her a valuable lesson. And so what if she cried - she has to learn. And if she was so shaken up that she loses all confidence behind the wheel (I won't), all the better - one less numpty on the roads. He'll be bragging to his mates down the pub about it.

And I bet he's a much safer driver himself :rolleyes:.

rikbar

Hi Badger Lady, hope you feel a bit better

I would say that the reaction was over the top, he overstepped the mark completely, but this may be down to the red mist or just shock.

You too were in the wrong, as you should not be obstructing the pavement even if looking to pull out, pedestrians have right of way over you at that point. Good job your reactions are good though and nobody was hurt, physically anyway. Have a nice cup of tea, understand that people can be quite irrational especially when shocked, and not everyone in this world is as nice as the people on this website.

Rikbar

Badger_Lady

^^ Thanks... that was actually how I started (wasn't sure of the rules, to be honest, just seemed polite), but I would have literally been there all night the way things were!

Traffic wasn't moving quickly, but in typical grumpy commuter style, it wasn't letting anyone in... My purpose in deliberately stopping across the pavement was to make my intentions clear to both pedestrians and traffic.

Poppy9

You may have been in the wrong place but his reaction was not acceptable. If I knew who he was I would consider reporting it to the police. Threatening behaviour is an offence.

Sagz_2

Chocolate and wine - an excellent idea, may I suggest you toast the 'gentleman' in question and thank him for being someone elses boyfriend and not yours (there's always a bright side :j ), He sounds a right numpty!

jeannieblue

Norbertsmum wrote: »

Chocolate and wine - an excellent idea, may I suggest you toast the 'gentleman' in question and thank him for being someone elses boyfriend and not yours (there's always a bright side :j ), He sounds a right numpty!

Brilliant! lets all toast to the fact that he's NOT ours!!!

I'd blame Kwik fit for not having easy in and out access :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The young lady was stupid to step in front of your car. You've nothing to feel bad about.

Personally I'd report it to the police anyway. They probably know who he is.