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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A man told me how I should have reverse parked. I told him to floss and use a stain resistant toothpaste.

210 replies

user47 · 08/09/2024 20:33

I had to use DH truck today - which I rarely drive. I then has a tricky reverse park in a busy town. A man watched the whole thing with his arms cross, chuckling and came over and offered a lot of critique and unsolicited advice.
WIBU to offer him critique and unsolicited advice in return?

Yeah yeah, I know I was rude but fuck me, he was a twat of the highest order.

I may have used the phrase "Is it FREE ADVICE DAY? GREAT?"

OP posts:
BlossomOfOrange · 08/09/2024 21:40

LunaNorth · 08/09/2024 20:48

I was once told off for a man for parking outside my own house. He slowed down his car and berated me through the window.

He picked the wrong day. I followed him home and asked him what his bloody problem was. Twat.

@LunaNorth what did he say to you, what did you say to him?

Caffeineosaurus · 08/09/2024 21:39

this happened to me last week at the shops, random bloke tried to 'help' me back out of a space, completely unprompted. Making shite wavy-gestures as if hes ground crew at Heathrow.

I've been driving 23 years....I was perfectly ok putting my car into reverse and driving in a straight line?!?

I had nothing witty to say but did a very loud eye roll 🙄

LongTimeReading · 08/09/2024 21:39

GeneralUser · 08/09/2024 21:37

Unsolicited comments by men are so tiresome.

I was once in a DIY shop, looking at drills. This rando comes over and says, "God, you're short." I was so cross I might have said, "God, you're ugly, but I wouldn't dream of making a personal comment." 😡

That comment by a random man was very rude, but please don't think all women are better.

GeneralUser · 08/09/2024 21:37

Unsolicited comments by men are so tiresome.

I was once in a DIY shop, looking at drills. This rando comes over and says, "God, you're short." I was so cross I might have said, "God, you're ugly, but I wouldn't dream of making a personal comment." 😡

isitelsa · 08/09/2024 21:36

OP, I love your answer, especially because it's the type of thing I would say under my breath but never to somebody's face 😁😁. He totallydeservedit.

But now (serious question), I'd like to ask what your recommendation for a great stain resistant toothpaste would be.

toomuchcardboard · 08/09/2024 21:33

DH has so many silly accidents since I have known him that I have no truck with male superiority about driving. One only has to remember how much cheaper car insurance was for women before it went all "indiscriminatory".

MikeTheTrike · 08/09/2024 21:32

Reminds me of when I was trying to fold our pushchair to get it into the car boot when I was struggling with our wriggling DD and someone just stood watching me struggle before telling me how I was doing it all completely wrong.

I told her to stay off the cakes and get on a diet instead of dishing out unwanted advice to others!

OCDmama · 08/09/2024 21:30

Hoppinggreen · 08/09/2024 20:39

That was neither as clever or funny as you think.
He was a Dick, you could have made your point AND been a bit more classy

Why the fuck do women have to classy? This is a common refrain on MN. Why should some chauvinistic prick get any respect?

oakleaffy · 08/09/2024 21:28

user47 · 08/09/2024 20:33

I had to use DH truck today - which I rarely drive. I then has a tricky reverse park in a busy town. A man watched the whole thing with his arms cross, chuckling and came over and offered a lot of critique and unsolicited advice.
WIBU to offer him critique and unsolicited advice in return?

Yeah yeah, I know I was rude but fuck me, he was a twat of the highest order.

I may have used the phrase "Is it FREE ADVICE DAY? GREAT?"

Sadly I do know women who have been assaulted after making a 'snappy comeback'' - In this day and age where there seems to be so much more free floating aggression, and sketchy mental health that I'd probably just ignore it.

Beansandneedles · 08/09/2024 21:27

Thought of another one. I was about 22 stuck in traffic at a junction. Every time my light went green the yellow box was full of cars so I didn't go through. A much older guy behind me got SO irate. Gesturing at me, exasperated hands etc. I kind of gestured back in a 'what am I meant to do' sort of way and he honked his horn for an extended period so I flicked the bird. The traffic started moving and he proceeded to follow me to the supermarket and rant about ladylike behaviour. To which I calmly responded 'with all due respect sir you weren't treating me like a lady so why should I act like one?'

A woman watching actually applauded 😂she was hovering in case I needed assistance. It's a rare day when the right words come but oh so satisfying!

WearyAuldWumman · 08/09/2024 21:26

user47 · 08/09/2024 20:37

I am thinking about it and feeling mildly ashamed. He was just such a knob but I should have been "Yeah, thanks Grandad"

Show quote history

I'm 64. I want to be you when I finally grow up.

You've given me my first genuine smile of the day.

Illegally18 · 08/09/2024 21:26

Hoppinggreen · 08/09/2024 20:39

That was neither as clever or funny as you think.
He was a Dick, you could have made your point AND been a bit more classy

Well, I think the Op was great!

WickedSerious · 08/09/2024 21:26

I think you were quite polite to him in the circumstances.

LongTimeReading · 08/09/2024 21:22

GrazingSheep · 08/09/2024 21:22

Priceless! I am crying with laughter.

Really?

😁

GrazingSheep · 08/09/2024 21:22

Priceless! I am crying with laughter.

Really?

StMarieforme · 08/09/2024 21:20

I had a lovely man (about 20 years older than me, I was 50) come up after I'd parallel parked straight in and say I'd parked so well he'd like to take me for coffee!! I said "oh no, I always park like that, but thank you!" And walked off bemused lol!

LongTimeReading · 08/09/2024 21:19

user47 · 08/09/2024 20:37

I am thinking about it and feeling mildly ashamed. He was just such a knob but I should have been "Yeah, thanks Grandad"

Show quote history

No, that's worse. You can retaliate with being an "ist". In this case ageist. That would have be cheap & easy, and wouldn't have showered you in glory.

Branleuse · 08/09/2024 21:18

Fuck classy! That's brilliant 😁

SerafinasGoose · 08/09/2024 21:18

MintyNew · 08/09/2024 20:48

You stopped to his level which I think makes you sound worse off op. You went very personal which isn't nice.

Women are not required always to be 'nice'.

Men could of course leave us the hell alone to go about our day in peace. Now that really would be nice. Pity they seem incapable.

VaddaABeetch · 08/09/2024 21:17

Thank you random man with a half curtesy is always the proper response

AdoraBell · 08/09/2024 21:17

YANBU and having read your title to DH is currently laughing at the idiotic bloke.

stickygotstuck · 08/09/2024 21:14

Well done OP.

To the PP who complain of OP's 'classiness' or lack thereof - she is not in any obligation to be 'classy' at any moment in time. Let alone after being patronised by a complete twat.

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 08/09/2024 21:13

It was a low blow, OP, but to be honest anything (within reason) that contributes to a world where men don't feel like they can say anything they like in public to women they have never met about their driving is all right with me.

BlackShuck3 · 08/09/2024 21:12

LEGEND✌🏻😎

BlackeyedSusan · 08/09/2024 21:12

AuntieJoyce · 08/09/2024 20:48

He may not have been stropping. He may have been running to get his floss

You’re a better woman than me OP.

My last comeback in this sort of situation was at least I didn’t come out in my slippers.

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You bastard ...<coughs and splutters>

Your post needs a health warning

Nearly choked on my coffee. 😂

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