AIBU to have locked my doors?

[Libett6]

AIBU, I was sat in my car on the petrol forecourt waiting for OH to come back from paying for petrol. Someone who had been at the pump in front of our car moved her car to the left and parked her car in the spaces, but instead of going back to the pump she was previously at she came and stood beside my car and was acting suspicious. I immediately locked the doors as I had my 5 year old DS in the back - she proceeded to walk in front of my car laughing and looking at me saying to whoever she was with who was stood by their car on the left 'she just locked the door'! I said in response, 'yes you're correct I did, you can never trust anyone these days'. Completely inconsequential to me but she was black and I don't know if she jumped to the conclusion that I did it because of this. I 100% did not and would have done the same regardless of colour, creed etc - I was simply protecting my child as you just cannot take any risks these days. WIBU??

[TheWitTank]

How was she "acting suspicious"? It does seem an overreaction to me.

[ghostyslovesheep]

sounds massively OTT all round

[anothermalteserplease]

What was she doing at your car? That would determine whether locking your car was OTT or not

[RedHelenB]

Yabu people are no less trustworthy noadays

[Milklollies]

I think you need a relaxation weekend. Even if you didn't intend it to be a racist incident, she would've taken it as such.

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

what was she doing to be so suspicious?

I mean heaven forbid anyone stand by a car on a petrol forecourt.

[AndShesGone]

You should not have said anything to her.

Your kid was likely in no danger at all, she was what looking at the pumps? In the shop?

What was she doing 'suspicious' ?

[IminaPickle]

Do you always drive with doors locked? Do you live in downtown LA?
A pedestrian looked at me sharply when I locked the car as he passed. He was black and it was the first time I'd stopped in traffic after a long motorway drive. I was mortified.

[CurbsideProphet]

Do you mean that she walked away from her car and right up to your car?

[JenLindleyShitMom]

Actually I think it sounds fucking odd what she was doing and clearly she was watching you to be able to know that you locked your doors. And then she Walked away after doing nothing? So wha was her purpose in being at your car/pump? She was acting suspiciously.

[Strangeday]

Well I always keep my car doors locked I'm suspicious that someone could quickly open the door and snatch my bag, which does happen at traffic lights.

She's bound to have noticed you were suspicious of her and especially felt her race had something to do with it because black people are treated with suspicion.

I don't really blame either of you though to be honest.

[AndShesGone]

To be clear, I think you were out of order to say anything to her but not out of order to lock your doors.

I always have my door locked in the car. I'd try to be sensitive about doing it when someone walked past though

[NerrSnerr]

I'd like to know what she was doing to act suspiciously. How did you talk to her with the doors locked, did you unlock and open the door or wind window down? Seems like a lot of effort.

[Strangeday]

You don't need to live in downtown LA to lock your car doors. Locking car door is a basic safety precaution. Loads of theft from cars round here.

[JenLindleyShitMom]

I'd like to know what she was doing to act suspiciously.

Walking over and hanging about a car that wasn't hers for no reason.

[toastymarshmallow]

I always drive with the doors locked, and if for some reason they are unlocked and someone approaches the car, even if just to cross the road or whatever, I immediately lock them.

I would have done the same as you in that situation and it would have had nothing to do with race.

YANBU.

[IminaPickle]

strangeday I live in south London. Parked up in a dark side alley I did have my bag snatched once- that's the only time having my door locked would have been advantageous in 30+ years of driving. I'd rather live without the paranoia thanks.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Yanbu. I spend quite a lot if time parked up at a railway station waiting for my teens. I am very aware of people on foot hanging around. I always lock my doors of something seems not quite right.

[kate33]

Please tell us what the suspicious behaviour was.

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

I always lock my car door and would have done at a petrol station if someone else is paying. I don't trust anyone though

[peppercold]

Yep always lock my doors too.

[Yorkieheaven]

Always lock my doors. So what if she was black or young or old or male etc. You felt threatened. You protect your own.

[Strangeday]

It's not paranoia though. It takes a second and is a very basic precaution.

I could likely leave all the doors unlocked and probably nothing would happen it doesn't mean I would.

[Diamogs]

My car doors lock automatically when I get to 10mph or something, so manufacturers obviously think there is a safety need.

[Annie592]

Of course you are perfectly entitled to lock your doors and shouldn't have to answer to anyone about it! I can sort of see why someone might be a bit prickly about it - but honestly, that's just tough- people should be less sensitive! If someone locked their doors while I was stood by their car I might think- 'I guess they thought I might be going to steal something' - but why would that really bother me- they don't know me, so it's not really insulting, as it's based on nothing personal, just the knowledge that some people do steal stuff. YANBU in my opinion.