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We live just outside the city centre in a terraced house and free all day street parking. There's always demand for parking and isn't a problem, except for some, who don't even live on the street.
Monday morning I was heading out to work mid-morning and sat in the car doing the usual stuff (start car, log mileage, set sat-nav and check emails) before setting off. During this process a well spoken women rocked up and asked if I was moving . Yes, in a couple of minutes.
I finished my stuff and was ready to move off. I couldn't as she was standing in front of my car. A neighb our had come out and moved his car, so she decided that she would stop me from moving until her husband had parked theirs.
I asked her to move and she refused.
"You deliberately took your time so I'm wasting yours!"
Her husband parked up, looking at me and shaking his head making it clear that he thought I was selfish because that's what he called me.
To top it all I was [i]told off[/i] for swearing beacause I called them bloody childish.
They were 100% satisfied that they could make judgements about what I was doing and then have a pop.
Piss reached boiling point because they don't even live in the area.
A pair of, on the surface, middle class pillocks come do do a bit of shopping and then getting all uppity when things don't go their way. There's a bloody big car park 2 mins away.
I think they get the prize for being the most despicable people I've ever met.
They must have really sad lives.
It's all bloody parking and bins with you lot
I think this is one for the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2.
If that's as bad as you've met then you've been very lucky.
To be fair people who spend ages faffing in their car like it's a NASA takeoff preparation are very annoying.
🙂
I was out in the work van yesterday filling up at the local petrol station and some Hyacinth Bucket lookalike (complete with huge string of fake pearls) in a BMW with her husband blocked the forecourt while her husband went to buy something. I gave her a toot and she hung out the window and started giving it to me. I feel sorry for some people.
If that's as bad as you've met then you've been very lucky.
That's the point, I've met some real headcases and this otherwise well educated couple have the biscuit.
To be fair people who spend ages faffing in their car like it's a NASA takeoff preparation are very annoying.
To be fair I refrained from saying pre-launch checks. 😀
Imagine the cheek of wanting to park your car anywhere other than outside your own house, these people are no better than nazis.
Steering lock - Go!
Fuel pump - Go!
Sat nav - Go!
Mobile phone on charge - Go!
Coffee in holder - Go!
Wallet out of back pocket - Go!
We are go for launch,
In 5, 4, 3, ..... Oy! Get outta my way!
I'm surprised they had any valve cores to come back to.
I would have driven round the block and let their tyres down!
I asked her to move and she refused.
"You deliberately took your time so I'm wasting yours!"
I think at that point I'd have dug out a paperback and put my feet up.
As the late great Bill Hicks said 'Step on the #@@$ing gas brother!' *thunk* *thunk*
start car, log mileage, set sat-nav and check emails
you get in your car start it, and then sit there reading emails?
I feel your pain, but I thought it was a matter of male pride to have to car moving before the door is shut!
😀
I agree with allthepies.
You're driving a car not initialising a nuclear submarine.
Worse case scenario you could have saved the pre-launch w**k till later on.
[i]I think at that point I'd have dug out a paperback and put my feet up[/i]
Run the bitch over. There's always someone down a level on the despicable chart and I'm prepared to take that honour.
Well I sat outside the shops in mine this evening for 15 mins 'cos I wanted to hear something on the radio before going into the newsagents. That potentially killed a few kittens then?
Depends. Were the kittens going catatonic because they couldn't park their Jaguar?
I'm surprised they had any valve cores to come back to.
yes, but valve cores are replaceable... a tooth pick sized hole to the sidewall means the tyre needs to be replaced. can't remember why, but this is what a "friend" of ours told us when returning with two new tyres after we pierced his sidewalls with a toothpick.
n.b. he wasn't a friend.
also think some tyre retribution would have been my response.... given that, they were perhaps not the most despicable people ever, just dickheads.
alpinyes, but valve cores are replaceable... a tooth pick sized hole to the sidewall means the tyre needs to be replaced. can't remember why, but this is what a "friend" of ours told us when returning with two new tyres after we pierced his sidewalls with a toothpick.
n.b. he wasn't a friend.
also think some tyre retribution would have been my response.... given that, they were perhaps not the most despicable people ever, just dickheads.
Toothpick through a car tire?
They must have really sad lives
This and move on. Even though it boiled me up reading the op. Reminds me of a previous neighbour... Argh I can't go there without fuming.
start car, log mileage, set sat-nav and check emails
To be fair, if you're one of those people who sits in their car with the engine running then you deserve everything you got.
It's basically the same as littering except with more noise and death as a consequence.
Wait, she blocked you by "standing in front of your car"?
Er, 1st gear, drive off slowly, job done. No more than 0.5mph required, but unless she's going to go all "green activist" on you and actually lie in the road then i don't see the issue??
Toothpick through a car tire?
yup... was so surprised i showed my mate on the rear tyre, too. and then we st on the opposite side of the car park watching the tyres (really really) slowly deflate on the Citroen AX.
funniest bit was seeing the guys rection when he went round the back to get the spare and realised the opposite rear was also flat.
Er, 1st gear, drive off slowly, job done. No more than 0.5mph required, but unless she's going to go all "green activist" on you and actually lie in the road then i don't see the issue??
I would imagine that would be construed as assault. Might just as well smack her in the mouth
revs1972
I would imagine that would be construed as assault. Might just as well smack her in the mouth
Just say SMIDSY and no court in the land would convict you......... 😆
Alpin. You're coming across as....well, something that rhymes with the last part of toothpick.
also think some tyre retribution would have been my response.... given that, they were perhaps not the most despicable people ever, just dickheads.
What is going in the world when you'd consider jacking someone's tyres because you lost a few seconds out your day?
I'd have thought someone with a predilection for the green, would be more chilled out.
Take their photo, people don't like that I find.
alpin - Member
Toothpick through a car tire?yup... was so surprised i showed my mate on the rear tyre, too. and then we st on the opposite side of the car park watching the tyres (really really) slowly deflate on the Citroen AX.
funniest bit was seeing the guys rection when he went round the back to get the spare and realised the opposite rear was also flat.
Wooden or plastic? this is fascinating.
Cougar - ModeratorI asked her to move and she refused.
"You deliberately took your time so I'm wasting yours!"I think at that point I'd have dug out a paperback and put my feet up.
Shirley you just roll your car forward enough to prevent her husband being able to park either side of you [I]then[/I] dig out the paperback and put your feet up... 😆
You log your cars milage every time you drive it?!
Some people are petty and self entitled. Life's too short to worry about them. Let it roll over you and move on. Or move on and roll over them, in your car. Which ever.
When you've only got a second to say something to a couple of knobbers, you can't waste it on "bloody childish".
You need to say something that they'll think about and remember for years to come. And every time they think about it they'll get a little bit sad. And the next time they think about starting a dispute with a stranger in the street, they'll decide not to.
yup... was so surprised i showed my mate on the rear tyre, too. and then we st on the opposite side of the car park watching the tyres (really really) slowly deflate on the Citroen AX.funniest bit was seeing the guys rection when he went round the back to get the spare and realised the opposite rear was also flat.
That's not a nice story, is it. It's just you boasting about doing something cowardly.
you get in your car start it, and then sit there reading emails?
Err no. I pick up the phone and if there is an email I need to reply to, I reply. If not, I don't.
given that, they were perhaps not the most despicable people ever, just dickheads.
I don't really see the difference here, I'm not that fond of dickheads either.
When you've only got a second to say something to a couple of knobbers, you can't waste it on "bloody childish".
A skill I really, really wish I had.
You log your cars milage every time you drive it?!
You mean you don't have a company car. how quaint.
Did you go collect some dog turds to smear on their door handles?
[quote=captainsasquatch ]
you get in your car start it, and then sit there reading emails?
Err no. I pick up the phone and if there is an email I need to reply to, I reply. If not, I don't.
After you've left your house, got in your car and started it? How do you work out if one needs replying to without reading it? Though it now seems that not only are you reading e-mails with your engine running, you're also sitting there typing replies.
While you've got your phone out, why not just take a pic of the odometer reading?
yes, you are right.... was a dickhead action nd was cowardly.
but to put some perspective on it, we were 17 and the guy had knocked us for quite a bit of money.
oh well.
After you've left your house, got in your car and started it? How do you work out if one needs replying to without reading it? Though it now seems that not only are you reading e-mails with your engine running, you're also sitting there typing replies.
Do expand, I don't get your point.
Well it still seems you're checking your emails (and maybe replying) with the engine of your car running rather than doing it before you leave the house. Which seems a strange sequence.
You mean you don't have a company car. how quaint.
Nope, lucky enough to not need one due to the job and where I live. Is that how it works? Sounds like a right PITA to log every single journey.
This post reminds me of the Jeremy Corbyn train video. Also, I recommend you get a house with a drive
Well it still seems you're checking your emails (and maybe replying) with the engine of your car running rather than doing it before you leave the house. Which seems a strange sequence.
How does that make their, and her in particular, actions acceptable?
Sounds like a right PITA to log every single journey.
Doesn't work like that. 😉
Also, I recommend you get a house with a drive
Odd suggestion, I don't think you understand the problem. I recommend that people understand what a public road is.
I'm reading between lines and going to venture that the op was deliberately trying to wind up the couple by checking emails etc knowing they were waiting. Apologies if incorrect.
Where I live (city centre), parking is also at a premium. It's a pain in the arse. When I get in the car, often a driver pulls up and asks if I'm leaving. Sometimes I have to strap the boy in* which takes time, but do it as quickly as possible and certainly don't sit reading emails. Sounds like a wind up to me.
Edit: * and I'll tell them I'm doing so if it's not obvious. I don't think I would have the front to say, 'yeah I'm leaving but can you wait for me to check my emails first' 😀
I think they get the prize for being the most despicable people I've ever met.
They must have really sad lives.
Not read the replies, but if the above is the case you've had a charmed life..
I dont want to come over all STW pedant here, but isnt it illegal to use a mobile with the engine running? Watch out plod dont see ya.
I'm reading between lines and going to venture that the op was deliberately trying to wind up the couple by checking emails etc knowing they were waiting. Apologies if incorrect.
Apology accepted. There was an important email on this day that needed actioning, but that's not the point. The point is her behaviour which seems to be acceptable in these parts.
When she asked me if I was leaving, I said yes I was within a couple of minutes. I wasn't more than the couple of minutes I promised. In the mean time a neighbour came out and left a space. She then decided to block me in what she admitted was petty revenge so the husband could park and offer his opinion.
Fair dos OP, I'm also a city centre resident and often end up parking 15m walk away so feel your disgruntlement!
[quote=captainsasquatch ]How does that make their, and her in particular, actions acceptable?
I don't think I suggested it did - she sounds like a complete loon - still seems a strange sequence.
I recommend that people understand what a public road is.
It's one where people who don't even live in the area have just as much right to park on as people who live on the street. HTH 😉
if I'm sitting in [i]my[/i] car, outside [i]my[/i] house, then I'll damned well take as long as I see necessary before I move off! It's nobody else's sodding business how long I take before driving away, it's a public road, they have no right to any particular section of it, and I won't inconvenience myself just to help make some random shoppers life a little easier.
Sorry, I think she was crazy. As was Mrs Bucket on the forecourt. I see enough of this self-centred behaviour everyday, it's not limited to drivers by any means either.
How does that make their, and her in particular, actions acceptable?
is it not some sort of law where if you are a bit of arse folk will be a bit of arse to you? I expect you to demonstrate this in your reply to me as I was a bt of an are then 😉
What you did was a bit strange - get in car, start engine, not move use phone whilst someone is waiting to park
What they did was just confrontational and nuts but i imagine her rationale was as she said - you wasted our time we will waste yours
Not defending it mind
Op seems completely reasonable here. Leave the house in the morning. Get in car, start car, plug.in car charger, see notifications, check mail,.respond if convenient, drive off
I won't inconvenience myself just to help make some random shoppers life a little easier.
That's nice. There's not enough selfishness in the world today. Just imagine how much better things would be if there was.
captainsasquatch - MemberMonday morning I was heading out to work mid-morning and sat in the car doing the usual stuff (start car, log mileage, set sat-nav and check emails)
Checking emails isn't part of driving.
Best to keep the task at hand.
Your phone/tablet should be off when in charge of your vehicle.
There was an important email on this day that needed [b]actioning[/b]...
Now y'see, I was just glossing over this thread, first world problems and all that, but then you state that you needed to [i]action[/i] an email? Why not just reply to it and go on your way, or even just look at it and then decide on your drive into work how you'd deal with it when you got there?
Sitting in your car 'actioning' emails whilst someone is waiting for you to gtf paints a different picture...
Did the husband park the car directly in front of yours. By standing in front of your car was she just holding you up for as long as necessary for her husband to manoeuvre his car in front of yours.
if I'm sitting in my car, outside my house, then I'll damned well take as long as I see necessary before I move off! It's nobody else's sodding business how long I take before driving away,
Although if it is public highway you don't have any more right to the patch in front of your house than anybody else, and don't forget about [url= http://www.highwaycode.info/rule/123 ]Highway code rule 123[/url]
Although if it is public highway you don't have any more right to the patch in front of your house than anybody else,
True, but the OP's point I believe is, nor do they.
To be fair I refrained from saying pre-launch checks
😀
It's too late now, but you should've got out your car and taken her photo, then told her she was gonna go viral for acting like a ****. I imagine, that would've probably riled her. "See you on Twitter" etc.
Leave the house in the morning. Get in car, start car, plug.in car charger, see notifications, check mail,.respond if convenient, drive off
Or you could, y'know, Get in car, plug.in car charger, see notifications, check mail,.respond if convenient, start car, drive off.
Is it just me that would've just driven off and smiled as she had to get out of the way?
Yeh?
Oh well - shouldn't be a such stupid cow.
Or you could, y'know, Get in car, plug.in car charger, see notifications, check mail,.respond if convenient, start car, drive off.
Won't charge if the car is not running. Also, there is usually a little less planning than you seem to imagine.
But thanks for the free advice, I guess it is true that you get what you pay for.
Is logging mileage with a company car a thing? The only time I look at the mileage is when I fill up as I can't get use the fuel card without that.
Also, first world problems. You held them up a bit, they held you up briefly. I bet you both lost more time than that driving on busy roads. As for the email, I'm also puzzled why you'd start the engine then read email rather than read it in the house or before starting the engine. Perhaps your "preflight checks" are too long as mine are "Get in car, dump phone into cup holder, put on seatbelt, start car" so there's not much important email that arrives in the 15 seconds that takes.
Won't charge if the car is not running.
I don't think I believe you.
What do you drive? I've never yet come across a car that doesn't arm the accessories socket in what used to be called "position 2" before all this auto-start nonsense, and most older cars in position 1, engine running or no.
On a vaguely related subject, I am astonished how many people don't put their seatbelt on until they are driving away. And then swerve all over the road while they do it.
For me, that's up there with not drying yourself BEFORE you get out of the shower, and dripping all over the bathroom floor. Ludicrous and unnecessary.
Did the husband park the car directly in front of yours. By standing in front of your car was she just holding you up for as long as necessary for her husband to manoeuvre his car in front of yours.
I was parked a couple of door down, as is normal, she wanted the space I was going to leave and was quite happy until a neighbour came out and moved his car. At this point she decided that she would block me in so hubby could park. It's a narrow street, so I couldn't go anywhere anyway. My beef is not with her standing infront of my car, nudging her out of the way would probably have ended with calls to the Police, my beef is that she said she'd done it deliberately to get back at me because she believed that I had deliberately done something to delay her or even prevent her from parking (and her husband's reaction).
It is a public road and I don't have any more rights than anyone else and it is part of living here.
I love the legal beagles who point out that I shouldn't be using the phone while in the car. Perhaps I should be done for not wearing a seatbelt for the nanoseconds before I have a chance to put it on. Perhaps there's even a rule in the Highway Code about not wearing the seatbelt too. 😆
Normal people would either wait patiently, or look for another space, or even put their hand in their pocket and pay the car park fee in the car park that is around the corner. Going ballistic because you haven't got your own way is pure childish. Interested how many haven't picked up on this. 😀
What do you drive? I've never yet come across a car that doesn't arm the accessories socket in what used to be called "position 2" before all this auto-start nonsense, and most older cars in position 1, engine running or no.
My car has one of these push button starter, so no position 2. It makes pre-launch checking a bit more realistic as I shout "start engines" before firing the old bird up.
Won't charge if the car is not running.
Depends on the car, Focus the power is always on!
Now we have all the info, I think we can agree that it's the neighbour who is to blame for all of this.
Or is it just me that thinks it's odd, after all that's been said, to wait until you get in your car and have started the engine to check your emails? Wouldn't it be easier/more natural to do this over a cup of coffee and your bowl of Rice Krispies or whatever? Isn't that what most people would do?
Of course, now that cars are "lifestyle accessories" rather than just, well, cars, people increasingly seem to treat them as an extension of their home/office.
So the couple have gone from bloody childish to most despicable and now going ballistic .
We are all different, but I would check the mileage when I stopped the car getting home from work, and I would would check email and action if needed before I leave the house, not sitting in a car with engine running when I know someone is waiting to take the space.
captainsasquatch - MemberYou mean you don't have a company car. how quaint.
captainsasquatch - MemberThere was an important email on this day that needed actioning,
Don't tell me....let me guess.....
Estate Agent? Toothpick salesman?
😆
captainsasquatch - MemberMy car has one of these push button starter, so no position 2. It makes pre-launch checking a bit more realistic as I shout "start engines" before firing the old bird up
Really?! Cars with those [s]ridiculous[/s] cool & manly starter buttons have no way of getting to position II in the ignition sequence?
Genuine question.....
So, if you get to a level crossing for example just as the barrier come down & you know that the chances are you are going to be waiting a while......if you turn the ignition off, do the fans for ventilation etc. still run? Or does the car have start-stop stuff that will do that, stopping the engine but keeping things going like stereo/lighter socket, fan blower thingy......
Is it keyless ignition or do you have to put the key in a slot - I think that's what you have to do on my Bro-In-Laws 3-series.....does putting the key in the slot, equate to position II and starting things off??
Anyhoo - woman sounds a bit nuts, but perhaps she was having the day from hell. I'd have smiled, perhaps blown her a kiss & wished her a pleasant day. Showing annoyance, just makes them think they have won. They want you to get riled, so being uber-pleasant probably makes their twitchy eye twitch that bit more vigorously.....
The few hire cars I have had with push starter pressing the button is pos 2/everything lights up. To start you have to press the button and press the clutch/brake.
No slot on a 1 series to put the key into. F10/30 are the same.
Press the button and all the ignition comes on full and no the - 12V socket is not live without it on. ( well it is for about 20s after opening the door then tis off again)
just to confirm, on my BMW (swoon) pushing the button without foot on the brake switches on the ignition, with foot on the brake it's straight to engine start.
Cars with those ridiculous cool & manly starter buttons have no way of getting to position II in the ignition sequence?
In my Hyundai you press once and ... something happens, I'm not sure what TBH. Not much, a few dashboard warning lights come on, oil and battery. Press it again and it arms proper, everything lights up, the radio comes on and so forth, and the accessory socket is live. A third time and it starts the engine; so just like the old mechanical 1-2-3. A fourth press shuts everything off, back to 0 if you will. It's a proximity key, just has to be in the car somewhere.
My previous car was a Mondeo, I think from memory it was broadly the same except there was no position 1. Might be misremembering, it was four years ago.
if you get to a level crossing for example just as the barrier come down & you know that the chances are you are going to be waiting a while......if you turn the ignition off,
They were both start-stop so not necessary to switch anything off. If you were to switch off manually, everything would go off and you'd have to press it again to wake up the fans etc as above. (I think, though I'm not sure, that once something is powered from the accessory socket it stays powered when you switch off again, for a while at least. I'd have to check to be sure.)
tinybits - Member
just to confirm, on my BMW (swoon) pushing the button without foot on the brake switches on the ignition, with foot on the brake it's straight to engine start.
Exactly = but its full ignition not "position 1/accessory".
The 12V socket shuts down 20-30s after you've opened/closed a door, etc unless you press the button....
Which is full ignition...
It all sounds pretty complicated (I'd need a crib sheet).
While I can see the point of them (push button start) for cars with keyless entry, I am not sure I see the point of it, the rest of the time.
My brother's V40 has got a button, but you still have to put the key in a slot before you press the button.
Is it all just a gimmick, or is there an advantage to it?
The only thing I can think of is with diesels; it could delay the start until the glow plugs have warmed (which is presumably what happens?).....
I don't think either of you come out of this brilliantly. More her than you though.
My brother's V40 has got a button, but you still have to put the key in a slot before you press the button.
Is it all just a gimmick, or is there an advantage to it?
It's a handy place to keep the key, and you don't forget to take it with you. A few times I'd use the key fob to gain entry, and then just put it in the cup holder/centre console, and then forget to take it with me when leaving.