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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

TO Get Really Annoyed at Women Who DIther At Cashpoint Machines

121 replies

DeeCeeDee · 19/01/2011 01:19

Why do they do it? Is there some technology overload thing going on that has stopped them from thinking straight? I cant bear having to stand behind them when they faff about..just today a woman put her whole handbag on cashpoint front, had a good old rummage thru handbag to get to her card, asked for balance, stared for couple mins at the balance slip when it came out, put her card in again, and only then took money out. It makes me want to scream, honestly. Its not just having to wait, its the thought that are they so stupid that they dont know its not very safe, is it? a mugger would have plenty of time to lurk behind and scout you out..I mean ffs these women already know they want to get money out, why cant they have card to hand/in pocket of bag before they get to cashpoint? then its just a case of get card out, take money out, and thats it.

OP posts:
evenkeel · 20/01/2011 11:51

Have read bits of this thread and agree that it's certainly not just women who are guilty of this.....also that yes, it would be nice if no-one was in a hurry and could smile beatifically while someone (of either sex) took 15 minutes to process a simple 30-second transaction, BUT the fact is that it's massively irritating, sorry.

And Fab123, yes, you are so right about the people at railway stations who decide to come out at rush hours and want to go through all the options for their trip to Land's End in 6 months' time, while the poor commuters frantic to get the next train have to stand there with steam coming out of their ears!

swanandduck · 20/01/2011 12:56

It is a race sometimes Visitor. For instance, we were going to the cinema recently and were queueing to buy our tickets about 5 minutes before the film began. But a gang of teenagers in front of us were discussing the various films with the cashier because they couldn't decide which one to watch and wanted to think about it - while we were missing the start of our film. If people delay and dither unnecessarily they should remember that the person behind them isn't just necessarily waiting to pay for their groceries/withdraw money but also has to be somewhere else in a short space of time.

hogsback · 20/01/2011 13:25

brownstuff - so you ran into the back of another road user because you failed in your observations and anticipation of their actions. Perhaps the other road user stalled, or could see something that you couldn't, or was simply an inexperienced driver unfamiliar with the road layout.

I'm astonished at how casually you've described this. A collision, no matter how minor, should be cause for serious reflection on your driving skills. Have you considered taking an IAM course?

Agree with most of the comments on ditherers though, although can we reserve some ire for the people who stand on the wrong side of escalators?

Katiepoes · 20/01/2011 13:47

Hogsback I'm with you! I once had a man tell me to 'slow down and relax' and not budge after I politely said excuse me as he stood in the way. To this day I cannot believe I didn't shove him down - did he not see the signs? Notice that he was the only one standing on the left? No, it was down to him to dictate the speed other people should walk at on an escalator while he stood and smelled the roses. Tosser.

(Yes I know shoving him would have been most unreasonable but it would have felt bloody good)

hogsback · 20/01/2011 14:03

Yes I know shoving him would have been most unreasonable but it would have felt bloody good

No, no it really wouldn't have been. The fact that he spoke English and therefore presumably could read the signs that say Tourists! Take Your Idiotic Bumbags and Stand On The RIGHT! means you would have been even more justified.

Fab123 · 20/01/2011 14:27

evenkeel they do it in the Post Office at lunchtimes too. Actually anywhere that someone who works might need to be in a rush on their lunch breaks. When I'm a pensioner I hope i'll have the marbles to realise that collecting my pension at the busiest time of day and standing in the que when I have all day at peak times might be vaguely annoying for anyone else. Plus it can't be fun for a 70yr old standing for all that time. Why don't people use their noggins and come back after 2? I sound like an old person hater now, don't I? Blush I'm really not, it just amazes me how people just don't think of anyone else. Walked into town earlier and was forced off the pavement by a grown up family of 4 who were sweeping along eating chips in a line and not moving a muscle for anyone. Usually I stand still and let them walk around me but they were large and would more than likely have crushed me. Why should I have to walk in the road just because they won't take a step to the side?

evenkeel · 20/01/2011 15:25

Fab, you are so right!

To get back to the OP, cashpoint-style behaviour is alive and well on the M6 toll-road where people actually choose to drive into the 'credit-card payment' lanes and then sit there open-mouthed and puzzled when they discover they need to.....erm, pay by credit-card. Then start hunting for their bag/coat on the back seat. Then open purse/wallet and riffle through it in leisurely fashion. Then dither between available credit-cards. Then press button to summon assistance. Then want to pay cash. Then don't have any change for a £50 note. And so on.

F. F. S.

Mrswhiskerson · 20/01/2011 23:52

goingroundthebend4 i did get their early and politely let the lady go first , then she dithered changed her mind changed it back and came away with something totally different to the coffee she had ordered then the barista had decided it was go slow and chat to collegues day feel grr thinking about it .

Mrswhiskerson · 20/01/2011 23:59

slow walking families who have to walk next to each other so they take up the whole pavement and you have to step in the road to get pat them .
Can we also add people who just stop suddenly so you walk right into them .

piprabbit · 21/01/2011 15:02

So which of my two DCs do I not hold be the hand as we walk beside the busy road?
I'd hate to inconvenience anyone.

piprabbit · 21/01/2011 15:03

by - not be

tethersend · 21/01/2011 15:04

Ah, yes.

YABU.

monkeyjamtart · 21/01/2011 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fab123 · 21/01/2011 22:09

Pip I don't begrudge mum's with small kids needing space on the pavement at all. It's the teenagers and adults I'm fed up of letting past like royalty or being shoved off the pavement for.

Mrswhiskerson · 22/01/2011 01:02

its not the children i object to its when the mother adult daughter friend aunty and children all have to walk right next to each other taking up the entire path /shopping centre and walk really slowly then tut when you try to get past (politely i dont shove past ) its fair enough with children of course its adults all walking in a line . Also people who stop at the bottom of the escalator and dont move so you end up with shredded ankles .

PlanetLizard · 22/01/2011 09:36

Agree, Mrswhiskerson. And when people are coming the other way next to each other, but make no effort to break up the pair/line so you can walk along the path in the opposite direction.

Tokyotwist · 22/01/2011 09:45

YABVVU.

Both my parents dither at cash points because their sight is not what it used to be or because their age just makes them that bit slower.

You will not always be as quick as you are now and one day technology will either defeat or slow you down. I hope you have some irate person behind you, tutting and making you feel small and useless.

RustyBear · 22/01/2011 10:09

This must be about the fifteenth time I've posted this on MN but can some of you please just realise that there are many reasons why pensioners shop/collect their pensions in the middle of the day - many rural buses get to town at this time, it may be the only time they can get a lift (a kind neighbour sometimes takes my Dad in her lunch hour) they may need longer than younger people to get ready and need a rest after getting dressed etc etc.

purepurple · 22/01/2011 10:16

YABU
You need to just have a little patience, some day that ditherer could be you.
Karma and all that.

thumbdabwitch · 23/01/2011 06:00

I have to say I don't have an issue with old people going slower - that's to be expected. It's people who don't have that reason that piss me off.

And I'm not meaning anyone who has eyesight issues or any other form of disability either - purely the ones who are always surprised that they might need to get their card/purse etc. out of their bag/ pocket to use!

thebrownstuff · 26/01/2011 17:53

Today I was in Tesco Hmm The woman infornt of me got to the check out, everything scanned and bagged. All's well so far.

Time to pay. Card oout of handbag without a fuss, and straight in machine, all good.....THe woman forgot her PIN number Shock WTF?

you should have seen my face Angry steam coming out of my ears as I had left DCs in the car (don't start on that one, maybe on another thread). Get this.. She dashed out to her car and came back with knowledge of the aforementioned PIN number.

Surely I'm not unreasonable for being annoyed with her??!!

I. Could. Not. Believe. It. Still incredulous.

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