To think it was ok to have my engine running??!

[GuinefortGrey]

This morning, driving through a village, I received a text that I had been waiting for and required an urgent reply. So I pulled over into space at the side of the road in order to safely read and reply. Lots of space available, so pulled in adjacent to a garden wall, so not directly outside anyone's house. I left the engine running as I sat there as I knew I would only be a couple of minutes. There are no parking restrictions, all village residents park along the road on that side.

Anyway, head down in phone, I noticed movement outside the car and saw a older lady gesturing as me, making key turning movements. Whilst trying to get my brain in gear to work out what on earth she was trying to say (for a moment I thought maybe she had locked herself out!) another younger woman knocked on my window She said "can you turn your engine off as my neighbour has a condition that is made worse by toxic fumes". To be honest I don't know if she said please or not but the tone was very snooty and immediately got my back up. I had literally been there no more than 2 minutes and was just about to leave. I said "I'm just leaving now" and the woman said "well if you ever park here again make sure you turn your engine off", to which I replied "don't worry I shan't ever stop here again now I know it's such a nice, friendly village" and she shouted "good!!!" behind me as I pulled off.

Seriously, I was not even stopped outside the older lady's cottage, but about 2 metres away next to a garden wall. I feel bad because I should have responded more politely but the woman's tone was so rude, and I immediately felt all defensive and blurted out the first things that came out of my mouth, but I still don't think I did anything "wrong" leaving my engine running for a couple of mins. AIBU??

I seem to attract these "tellings off" by random strangers 🙁 . Had a lady have a go at me for using a poo bag to pick up
after my dog a couple of years ago. Said I was polluting the environment and as we live in the countryside should just leave the dog poo for nature to take care of

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I feel so sorry for you betsy, something must have happened to you to make you quite so argumentative and defensive.

Hugs! Hope things get better for you!

[SoupDragon]

someone stopped their car and then moved it

Actually, they stopped their car and then behaved like an arse when someone asked them to turn the engine off. And then whined about it on MN.

[PigletJohn]

"I just find the pompous bullying harping so irritating"

Try to stop doing it, then.

[betsyderek]

You just didn't like it because I stood up to your goading. People don't usually stand up to you. Look, I'm doing it again and you are getting all stressed again.

[UnderTheGreenwoodTree]

I don't think so, betsey. I think you're making rather a fool of yourself. (From your helicopter )

[betsyderek]

I can live with it.

[AppleSetsSail]

But you are right I am horrible about some things and I suppose I do find that little England Guardian reading type of pomposity an invitation to take the piss because people act like they are in the UN and they don't even have a job.

Not a Guardian reader. Why do you assume that we don't have jobs?

[GeneandFred]

I think she was rude and I would of reacted the same back. I wouldn't of switched off my engine.

[albertcampionscat]

What do you actually gain by leaving your engine running?

[lljkk]

It's so much effort to turn the key off, Albert. Too much for some folk.

[betsyderek]

Sometimes people do things by accident because they didn't know it's a "thing"
Nobody would intentionally do something to a random person, they are just living their lives. Although people like goady goaderson make me want to do things just because it winds them up so much.

[AppleSetsSail]

Betsy I can't decide if you remind me more of a teenager or an overfed Saudi prince.

[betsyderek]

I find neither of those things insulting but I am indeed a woman in my early middle age. I'm tickled that you should have given it so much thought though.

[BadDoGooder]

betsy

You do know you sound like a petulant teen??

Why is pointing out the global impact of your personal choices so offensive to you?
I actually give a shit about the world my kid will grow up in, and I make personal choices based on the knowledge of impact.

Tell me how to get oeople to make a difference?

If everyone had your attitude I dread to think what state the world would be in right now.

[AppleSetsSail]

DoGooder I don't think there's any reasoning with someone who would leave their car running while shopping in the Ikea time warp.