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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Someone parked on my drive

63 replies

Redadmiralflyer · 04/09/2017 20:49

Moved into my property on Friday. We have a driveway to fit two cars.
The person before us was elderly and didn't have a car so neighbours visitors frequently parked there. One of the neighbours gave us a private parking sign that's yellow. We stuck it on the hedge at the side of the driveway. So far so good.

Today I come home from work and find a car in my drive. I assume it's one of the neighbours cars and I'm really annoyed. I sit and watch out the window and finally appeared a salesman who got into the car and he sat on the phone for ten minutes. My car was parked next to his so he knew I was home. I couldn't believe he still sat there on the phone.
I lost my shit and came out and pointed at the sign and shouted can you not read! He drove off.
Was I unreasonable for shouting at him even though there was space on the drive? Dh was at Ikea and on his way back with furniture so I wanted part of the driveway clear to allow him easy access to house.

I'm not confrontational so I feel bad for shouting. Just to clarify he was some sort of sales person who had walked over to the next street so wasn't just nipping into a neighbours house.

OP posts:
centreyourself · 04/09/2017 20:50

Penguins bollards. dying to be first one to say itGrin

ItsNachoCheese · 04/09/2017 20:52

I second penguin bollards and a big sign that says fuck off this is MY drive Grin

MaisieDotes · 04/09/2017 20:52

Why did you wait the ten minutes? I would have gone out the minute he appeared and said "hi, I know this used to be a free for all but we've moved in here now so don't ever park here again, thanks!"

No need to have a row.

Love51 · 04/09/2017 20:52

Can I come and sit on your sofa? You'd be unreasonable to shout at me if there was space there...

Auspiciouspanda · 04/09/2017 20:52

🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

JanuaryJuniper · 04/09/2017 20:52

Totally not being unreasonable CF salesman!

centreyourself · 04/09/2017 20:53

I suppose he was used to being able to do it, and didn't realise the property had changed hands ...
Not great that you shouted rather than just firmly told him he shouldn't be there though.

ChasedByBees · 04/09/2017 20:53

I would have interrupted his phone call by shouting through the window to get off the drive. YWNBU at all!

ThymeLordIsSpartacus · 04/09/2017 20:53

Damn you centre. Damn you and my slow fingers Angry Grin

WineAndTiramisu · 04/09/2017 20:54

I'd have blocked him in with the other car and gone for a bath!

PanannyPanoo · 04/09/2017 20:55

I think I would have been more inclined to go to him when he first returned to his car and say 'Excuse me this is private property. You cant park here, thank you' I am non confrontation too.

ClemDanfango · 04/09/2017 20:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AdoraBell · 04/09/2017 20:56

I would also have interupted his phone call. Unless I could have blocked him in by parking on the road. And then spent 2/3 hours in a nice bubble bath.

AdoraBell · 04/09/2017 20:58

Wine beat me to it Grin

Gileswithachainsaw · 04/09/2017 20:58

🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

MrsJamin · 04/09/2017 21:02

Of course yanbu, it's your property! We have a driveway and I'd be livid if anyone parked there, it's bad enough when they park across it!

OlennasWimple · 04/09/2017 21:05

Why would you wait ten minutes and then go and shout at him? Confused

When you saw him return to his car, that was the opportunity to point out to him that he was on your drive way and needed to move.

Or you could have given him a couple of minutes, as you say you don't normally like confrontation, and then gone out when it became obvious he wasn't about to move any time soon.

And when you did go out to him, what was wrong with just talking to him like a grown adult?

Ameliablue · 04/09/2017 21:06

If people have been used to parking with permission then it might take time for everyone to raise the situation has changed. There isn't really any need to go shooting from the off. Just go and be polite but firm.

Roomster101 · 04/09/2017 21:12

YWBU to wait for 10 minutes and then shout at him. Why didn't you speak to him straight away and say that there had been a change of ownership and people could no longer park on the drive?

StarUtopia · 04/09/2017 21:18

I feel like I need a diagram! Grin

FrancisCrawford · 04/09/2017 21:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/09/2017 21:24

YWVU no tto confront him earlier and report back. Wink

Ttbb · 04/09/2017 21:26

I would have left a really passive aggressive note. YNBU at all!

Whinesalot · 04/09/2017 21:31

Yanbu to shout at him. A calm polite request to never park there again would have sufficed.

chocolateworshipper · 04/09/2017 21:31

YABU

for not providing a diagram. Do you not know the rules?

Meanwhile, check the Yellow Pages for the number of your local rugby team (in case he comes back).