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AIBU?

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Supermarket carpark rage

182 replies

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 12:12

Just popped to my local Waitrose to restock on the Belgian biscuits (half price!). As I drove in I spotted a nice convenient parking space outside the front of the store and pulled in, only vaguely aware of a vehicle approaching from my right. As I pulled in to park, the driver of the car, a 60 something blonde, started gesticulating and waving out of her window. I got out, saw that the car park was half empty so load of spaces for her. As I walked into the shop she shouted that I was a selfish bitch and worse!! In the store I saw her in the aisle and mentioned that I didn’t appreciate being sworn at by a total stranger. She repeated that I was a selfish bitch and threatened to punch me. At that point I realised I was on to a loser and went home. She’d left a note on my windscreen for good measure, again calling me a selfish bitch. I actually think she would have punched me if I hadn’t walked away. 2 questions - am I a selfish bitch? Genuinely didn’t see her and car park was half empty. Should I have reported her to the store manager or are threats of violence a factor of modern life that we all have to accept?

OP posts:
carpool · 29/12/2025 17:43

Why on earth would anyone be waiting for a particular parking space in a half empty car park?

Americano75 · 29/12/2025 17:20

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 17:15

I’ve never in my life had anybody threaten to punch me. Genuinely shaken, despite the levity of the thread. Shocking how situations escalate. Always always better to walk away and swallow it. It’s their problem, their anger. Just leave them to it. My last comment and thanks to everyone for their support. And to anyone who thinks I’m the selfish, entitled one, well you are entitled to your opinions.

You're not any of those things. You didn't deserve any of that.

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 17:15

Americano75 · 29/12/2025 17:05

She sounds deranged and there's literally no need, reason or justification in verbally abusing total strangers like that. Like, zero.

I once had a lovely man scream at me because I had given way to someone and held him up by approx 3 seconds. That made me a 'fucking arsehole' apparently.

Edited

I’ve never in my life had anybody threaten to punch me. Genuinely shaken, despite the levity of the thread. Shocking how situations escalate. Always always better to walk away and swallow it. It’s their problem, their anger. Just leave them to it. My last comment and thanks to everyone for their support. And to anyone who thinks I’m the selfish, entitled one, well you are entitled to your opinions.

OP posts:
Americano75 · 29/12/2025 17:05

She sounds deranged and there's literally no need, reason or justification in verbally abusing total strangers like that. Like, zero.

I once had a lovely man scream at me because I had given way to someone and held him up by approx 3 seconds. That made me a 'fucking arsehole' apparently.

Purlant · 29/12/2025 17:01

I’m very impressed someone takes a pen and paper with them to be able to write a note. I might keep a stationary set with wax and personalised stamp in my bag for any future grievances.

dynamiccactus · 29/12/2025 17:00

Some very weird responses on this thread but basically if someone beat me to a space in a full car park I'd probably be a bit miffed if I thought they'd deliberately cut me up to get there.

But in a half empty car park? Funnily enough, I'd just go to a different space!

dynamiccactus · 29/12/2025 16:59

cherish123 · 29/12/2025 15:26

You can't really have a queuing system in a car park as people go round different ways and round and round again.

Well, that clearly depends on the car park.

dynamiccactus · 29/12/2025 16:58

randomchap · 29/12/2025 12:24

You genuinely didn't see her? That's concerning. Especially if she was heading to the same parking space

Oh for goodness sake.

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:42

Crunchymum · 29/12/2025 15:15

Did you at least get your biscuits @Cotswoldmum70 ?

Yes thanks. And they are delicious.

OP posts:
CinnamonJellyBeans · 29/12/2025 16:41

Like you didn't smirk at her all the way round the supermarket.

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:39

CinnamonJellyBeans · 29/12/2025 13:56

YABU.

Why do you think she was so angry? She was clearly waiting for that space. If you had checked around you more thoroughly before driving in, you would have noticed this.

The right thing to do would be to pull back out, gesticulate your apology, exchange tinkly laughs and raised eyebrows. The exchange would have turned into a nice one, rather than something you're both ashamed of.

No shame here. Just baffled. I expect blonde lady may feel a little ashamed of her reaction. But then maybe I’m old fashioned.

OP posts:
WinterWooliesBaa · 29/12/2025 16:39

peacefulpeach · 29/12/2025 13:04

I know! A lady (40’s brunette) took the last olive roll, right in front of me, last week. I had to have a granary roll instead. I was apoplectic. But I didn’t say anything. Not in our Waitrose.

The last olive roll!

she was lucky to get out alive. The new long skinny ones aren't as good as the old roll shaped ones. So that might have helped her cause... maybe.

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:35

SoScarletItWas · 29/12/2025 13:44

I know exactly the Waitrose you are describing and where those spaces are. I just hope you got your biscuits and that you didn’t run over the resident cat 😸😸

No - the cat was mercifully not mixed up in this drama!

OP posts:
thedramaQueen · 29/12/2025 16:35

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:28

Rude!

Agree that poster was super rude. They clearly did not get manners for Christmas. Ignore the hate you did nothing wrong. I swear some people get kicks out of making people feel like rubbish on this forum.

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:32

Clockyclockz · 29/12/2025 13:27

OP you could have killed a child!!!!!

Oh god! But does put things into perspective.

OP posts:
Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:28

Fionasapples · 29/12/2025 12:50

Did you get a creative writing kit for Christmas? Your story smells of bs.

Rude!

OP posts:
Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:25

Sirzy · 29/12/2025 12:20

Did you cut up the wrong way to get the space?

Nope

OP posts:
Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 16:22

Passaggressfedup · 29/12/2025 13:01

Her reaction was way OTT and she sounds horrendous but your awareness whilst driving sounds concerning
It's rarely a problem with awareness. More frequently a matter of entitlement and sadly, some do get a kick at passing others off and then playing victim.

I mean who cares enough to turn into a discussion on a public forum!!

The same type of person who bothers to read the thread and add multiple posts

OP posts:
ChocolateCinderToffee · 29/12/2025 15:54

peacefulpeach · 29/12/2025 13:38

OP didn’t say she was Only buying half price biscuits. She was probably stocking up on other luxuries, and house hold essentials too. The bus or walking would’ve taken too long, the half price biscuits would’ve sold out. OP would’ve been bereft.

Not what she said😂

GoodBones85 · 29/12/2025 15:47

randomchap · 29/12/2025 12:22

You would never get this at Booths

😂😂

cherish123 · 29/12/2025 15:26

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 12:27

No. Just a regular space. I’ve had similar experiences where I’ve just missed a space because another driver has been better positioned. I’ve never hurled abuse at anyone because of it.

You can't really have a queuing system in a car park as people go round different ways and round and round again.

Picklelily99 · 29/12/2025 15:22

Cotswoldmum70 · 29/12/2025 12:31

Hard to describe but space was at the end of a row of parked cars which separated our 2 vehicles. Her car was stationary on the other side of the row. She could have been waiting to turn left or right. Absolutely no indication that she was waiting for the space. But she was
bloody fuming.😤

We need the diagram!

Crunchymum · 29/12/2025 15:15

Did you at least get your biscuits @Cotswoldmum70 ?

CarpeVitam · 29/12/2025 15:11

Lolabear38 · 29/12/2025 14:52

Stop overthinking it. It’s detail and nothing more - just like being told OP went to Waitrose to buy Belgian biscuits. Not necessary but adds interest and detail.

Not to me, it doesn’t. HTH 🤷‍♀️

Charlize43 · 29/12/2025 15:05

I never shop at Waitrose for this reason. Too many people with attitudes.

I remember being screamed at once because I took two discounted yellow ticket items and when I offered the woman one of them, she continued screaming at me saying I looked like I needed it more than her and who the hell did I think I was!

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