the delivery driver just got really shitty with me!

[RentANDBills]

I work as a Nanny in London, not live in but obviously I'm in the family's home for the majority of the day.
Knock on the door, delivery driver says he's got a parcel (through the cam) "for you, Darling." Very very friendly, overly so.

So I go and open the door and he says, "Actually it's for next door, Love. Can you sign for it?"
I reply that I'm really sorry, but I can't sign for parcels for the neighbours.
I'm the least confrontational person in the world and feel really awkward for saying no.

"It's only for next door, I will put a note through so they collect it later".

"I'm so sorry, I'm not allowed to take in parcels for other people. Sorry."

This isn't strictly true, I've never actually had the conversation with them but I don't feel comfortable taking in parcels which will then disturb my bosses later (as I'll be finished work when neighbour collects) and actually today specifically they are going away for 2 weeks, so no one will be in anyway.

"But its for next door. You just need to sign!" He's no longer friendly.

By this point, I'm really stressed out as he trying to push the parcel onto me and is getting very short with me.

I repeat that I'm really really sorry but I can't take it. And he gives me the filthiest look, says nothing and just storms off leaving me feeling like the most hideous person in the world.

AIBU and selfish for not taking it in? Or was the delivery driver a bit of an arsehole?

I hear enough stories on here about people being like casual sorting offices once delivery drivers have clocked that they'll take parcels in which I'm not keen on. Plus its not my house, so I don't want to take responsibility for things that I may not be able to sort out later. My bosses work hard, and I don't want to add any stress to their evenings of having to wait around for neighbours etc.

Also, this isn't really a factor, but the neighbour (who used to be really friendly) found out that I was "just Staff" and now no longer addresses me directly. Presumably because I'm beneath her. Whilst I'm not going to let this affect my behaviour, I'm not feeling too guilty for not doing her any favours - which really IS selfish.

OP - you should have said you couldn't take the parcel because the house was going to be empty for 2 weeks

YANBU. He was trying to manipulate you with all that “parcel for you darling” nonsense – the parcel wasn’t for you and he knew it. He just wanted to get rid of it and when you wouldn't play his jolly game he got nasty.

I hate people like that. I don't care how shit his job is, he deserved nothing but a closed door.

I would have been clearer - I'm sorry, I don't live here so I can't' would have made more sense than 'I'm not allowed '

Some women are such hard work.

Perhaps you didn't read the later postings - he was physically shoving the parcel at her. That's nasty.

OP there's no need to explain or keep saying "no" or anything else. He doesn't need a reason. Really it's better not, it only makes pushy people think they can out-argue you. "Sorry I can't do that" and then shut the door.

I'll accept that I should have been clearer, not that I had ample room for explanation though I can't say I'd repeatedly argue with someone if they said they couldn't do something.
Assertiveness is not my thing!

All those people with the perfect lines after the event. Op says she could barely get a word in edgeways.

Op you should have told him the house would be empty for two weeks and given him the alarm code and key to the safe.

She couldn't have told/given him that - she could barely get a word in edgeways, remember?

I think you were very reasonable, OP. In your shoes if it should happen again I'd ask him to hang on a minute, close the door and leave him there to mull over his tactics of getting people to answer the door under false pretences.
.............
By the by I know a farmer who has a bell on his farm entrance gate (which is out of sight of his house down a long lane) with a sign above it saying, 'Ring bell and wait,' the bell isn't wired up.

She could have MIMED
Op get some business cards printed with this info and carry them round with you everywhere in preparation for a similar situation arising again

No Stealth - I find expressing yourself through the medium of interpretive dance is far more effective than mime.

giggling at the idea of getting the message across with the power of Boogie.

Its funny, I can silence a child with a single look but get walked over by adults.

That was at the "power of boogie" btw, not at the fact that you feel you get walked over by adults

YANBU

Make like Elsa! ❄️

if your employers had not been away for 2 weeks/over xmas etc would have taken the parcel in?

you say you dont want them bothered in the evening, it takes 30secs to knock on door and say heres your parcel, or wait for them to come to you and give to them

im a nanny/mn and often take in parcels for neighbours at work as appreciate others doing the same for me, esp near xmas, or if im out all day at work, then my lovely neighbours take in for me

if im home i will take in for them

tbh it wouldnt have hurt to take the parcel in for them