Partner thinks I should get a taxi to this interview. AIBU to ignore him

[user1484223149]

have a job interview a 50 minute drive away. I get really nervous for job interviews so usually just take the easy option and just get a taxi instead of messing around with walking and trains or if my partner can take me he does. Normally he asks to take time off as we have very little money with us both being students.

I recently got a job interview for a social worker job and it will be £70 in a taxi! Partner can't take me and I can't drive. The other option is to walk a 10 minute walk to my local train station. And take two 30 minute trains and then from the last train station it's a 5 minute walk to the building my interview is at.

Normally I get a taxi but seeing as there's not much walking involved I thought I could go by train.

My problem is when I walk and I'm nervous I sweat. Even just a little walking increases my body temperature. But I will have a 1 hour train journey to cool down with and it's absolutely freezing at the moment.

I was thinking of straightening and tying my hair back and then putting my make up on on the train. And brushing my hair just before getting to the venue. I have fine straight hair. If I get fully ready before I leave my make up might melt a little.

I have beautiful black heels for the interview but would wear foldable dolly shoes and just pop them on before getting to the venue. There's a bus stop next to it.

Does this seem too much hard work?

Our combined income is £13,000 a year for all bills. We also have a toddler. It just seems such a waste paying so much when I can go by train.

I'm also not quite as nervous for this job interview. It's with one manager and a service user so seems less daunting

Off topic but to all fellow sweaty folk on here - go buy driclor. This deodorant has changed my life. No more sweat patches!

Seriously? It wouldn't even occur to me to take a taxi for the journey you are describing? This is a reasonable commute for most people (me included). Sorry YABU

Good luck in your interview, I def wouldn't pay £70 for a taxi.
Have a good think about whether
You would really be able to do that commute everyday, also whether or not it will be in rush hours.
I do a drive, short walk, 30 mins train, then walk 5 mins city centre. The train ride, although short is hellish over rush hours.

It's £70 as they're all by time here and in traffic it takes 50 minutes :-( even by distance it's going to be £55 at that time.

I've been at rush hour on the trains before and it's busy but I don't mind.

My interview will be out of the rush hour time which is good. The trains are quiet at the time I will be travelling.

I wouldn't even go for the interview if I didn't think I could do the commute. I've turned many jobs down because of a too long commute. This one is more than fine.

It's only because of interview nervous I was having doubts about doing it by train and the fact I sweat when nervous

I get you. But definitely go train. Would it be an option to wear something underneath your top to absorb the sweat, then get changed out of it before your last walk? Or a different top entirely?

Annoyingly there's no coffee shop nearby or any toilets so I have to wear my interview dress.

I will have to relax and try to stay cool

You seem pretty happy with the journey and proposed method of getting there so very good luck for your interview!

The OP has specifically said she'll be nervous and sweaty walking so I don't know why people are saying a walk will clear her head!

In normal circumstances I would say get the train. But you yourself are saying that these circumstances might not leave you in the best frame of mind for an interview. Your partner knows you better than any of us. And he is concerned enough about it to outlay a pretty big sum of money to get you there by taxi which suggests that although you're saying you'll be fine, the person who knows you best thinks that actually you might get yourself in enough of a tizzy to mess up the interview.

Be honest with yourself, do you think he might be right? What if the train is crowded or bumpy? How are you going to do your hair and make up? What if you sweat and your hair goes frizzy? How would you feel coming out of the interview if the journey put you on edge so much and you stuffed it up? How important is the interview to you?

He knows you better than we do and I suspect if he is prepared to spend that money he genuinely thinks it will make a big difference to your performance.

Is it a MASH/call centre job?
I would go by train, carry deodorant with you and take a big bag to shove cardigan/scarf in so you can wear minimal layers and add them if you need them, rather than dress too warmly and have to strip off.

I would get the train, but leave super early to allow yourself lots of time to sort yourself out before the interview.
I think it would also be really beneficial for you to take some driving lessons! Good luck x

If it's not v early in the morning, is there a cheap hotel/guest house near to the venue? Even a travelodge comes in under GBP30 do less than half the cab. You could get there early and then shower dress etc and have an easy short walk to interview?

I said a walk would clear OP's head. I thought that was a reasonable point.

If OP gets nervous when sweaty, I don't really see how a ten minute walk in the middle of winter will cause her to be drenched in sweat. The arctic wind we're experiencing at the moment should go some way in cooling her down.
You can walk slowly.

For a family of three living on such low income, £70 is a hell of a lot of money.

Taxi to the train station. Two trains. Taxi from train station.

If the nearest train station is too near for a taxi to take you, get off a stop early.

Get there a bit early and either find a café or use the toilet at the interview place and get changed - baby wipe shower etc.

Most interviewees need the toilet before they go in and this really is not an uncommon situation. Plan your outfit to do this comfortably - often receptionists will 'hide' your stuff for you when you go in but if not when you go into the interview simply place your larger bag by the door confidently and walk towards the interviewers with a big smile - I doubt they will even notice. For all you know the interviewers have done the same thing that morning!!

Do what you need to do to arrive confidently and comfortably and do not distract yourself from the preparing for the interview with something that will probably not even be noticed.

Good Luck - I cannot repeat enough this happens all the time!!!

Do you know the layout of the place, Op?

Could you take a top/jacket to change into when you arrive?

I'd definitely walk/train/walk.

If the nearest train station is too near for a taxi to take you, get off a stop early.

This !!

lonny

Perhaps as driving lessons are very expensive if your paying them for yourself. Looking at OP's income especially with a young child probably won't be affordable?

Have you tried those 48hr deodorants? They're a bit more expensive but really work.

Other things that would be good - oil-absorbing sheets for blotting away any moisture on your face.

Dry shampoo is really useful. Make sure you hold it about 10 inches from your scalp, lifting your hair in sections to get to the bits that need it most at the root of your scalp . Use a brush to blend it in. You can buy small ones that fit in most handbags.

Also, most importantly - give yourself more time than you need to walk at a gentle pace.

Good luck!

Walk and train, surely. It's little different to train and tube that most people will use getting to any office or interview in London. Just be plenty early enough and sort yourself out in the loos when you get there.

I would take a taxi to the station, relax in the trains, walk to the building. See if there is a coffee shop, I agree, a big chain like Nero, Costa etc have decent loos, and get a coolish drink plus take time to freshen up.

Take enough time in case you miss a train. I am always at least 1/2 hour early and have scouted out a coffee shop to wait in.

Think also about what you want to wear. A jacket may hide the odd wet underarm patch, just get it on on the last leg. Take a small deodorant with you. Natural fabrics are better with sweat than polyester.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've bough my ticket for the train.

I'm actually much less hot now I've lost three stone and got to a healthy weight.

I'm actually very fit physically it's just when nervous.

I just hope I didn't make best. I really want this job

Your walk / train / walk plan is perfect. Wear flats for the journey. Fancy shoes, hairbrush and face fixing gubbins in large businessy- bag.

Arrive at venue or nearby pub/coffee shop. Brush hair in loo. I meet clients day in day out and am a master of the 30 second flat shoe to heels toilet change 😉

Have smaller briefcase or handbag and leave big bag with your coat.

Job done. £70 saved. Good luck with the interview x

I find wearing a thin cotton vest under my main outfit helps with absorbing any sweat so that it doesn't form patches on top. And you don't feel as sweaty. Limit synthetic clothes as they seem to keep the sweaty smell. Light, natural layers.

You'll be fine. Imagine if you had one of those annoying taxi drivers that wanted to talk for the entire journey? That would be more stressful than a quiet train!
Take something to focus your mind and to keep the nerves at bay; a book or some notes to read through. I know how full on it is with a toddler so try to enjoy a rare quiet sit down on the train.

Getting there in plenty of time is great advice.