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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why they beep?

27 replies

Bodear · 14/06/2018 06:50

I’ve just walked down a reasonably busy suburban street. A car driving past pulled over to left as far as it could, right next to curb, and as it passed me, the driver beeped. Why?!
Why do people (men?) beep at strangers? I’m wearing jeans and it’s happened when I’ve been out running too. It would not be ok if I was wearing a mini skirt either but I would “understand” (and vehemently disagree with) the possible motivation in that scenario.
Is it to frighten people, to see if they can make people jump? Either way, I don’t like. Confused and pissed off

OP posts:

50shadesofgreyismylaundry · 14/06/2018 06:53

Because they're twats. It's a mixture of bravado, leering and enjoying making young women uncomfortable in public spaces. Thankfully it stops when you're over 40.

Clairenewbie · 14/06/2018 06:58

put headphones on listen to music you won’t hear it then
probably most times when you think someone’s beeping at you it could be they maybe know you or mistaken identity, people beep at me if they know me when driving by me so stop being so paranoid.

MakeMineATwin · 14/06/2018 07:02

They might have thought they knew you

GrumpyOldMare · 14/06/2018 07:07

Thankfully it stops when you're over 40.

No it doesn't,unfortunately

slashlover · 14/06/2018 07:19

Could they have been beeping to let someone inside the house know they had arrived?

kaytee87 · 14/06/2018 07:25

The fact that they pulled over suggests to me that they might have been alerting someone that they were there?

Boredboredboredboredbored · 14/06/2018 07:26

I'm 41 and it happens regularly to me when I'm out running. God knows why they do it?! I find it utterly pathetic and don't even look up

QueenOfMyWorld · 14/06/2018 07:34

I get pipped at every so often and it makes me v self conscious at that moment

Pecano · 14/06/2018 07:50

Because they are knobheads. A car full of teenage lads once slowed right down as they passed me to ensure that they had enough time to shout “fat cunt!” out of the window to me. No normal person would do anything remotely like this.

Original poster

Bodear · 14/06/2018 08:38

Sorry, I didn’t explain very well. The car pulled towards the curb as if to get closer to the pavement but didn’t slow down or stop so definitely not alerting anyone in a house. Also, it was 6.30am and no one else around for the beep to be aimed at.
@Clairenewbie I’m not paranoid and if I’d known the person I’d have recognised the car. I do use headphones but you can still hear the beep.
Thanks for the responses. Good to know I’m not the only one. And yes, I’m over 40.

OP posts:

Sparklyshoes16 · 14/06/2018 08:49

A few years ago when I had motivation...I decided to go for a run/walk, it was the very first time I'd been out publicly exercising (size 24) I was feeling proud of myself I'd lasted 20 mins and stopped to tie my shoe lace...I noticed a car full of young lads on the opposite side of the road go past-blaring loud music in their boy racer Corsa. Thought nothing of it and stood up to carry on...was about 10 mins jog away from home...turned round as I heard the music getting louder then quieter then heard BEEP... "run fat fucker run" in the style of Forrest Gump...then they chucked a strawberry McDonalds and coke over me and sped off laughing and cheering!!

I was mortified, a lovely woman stopped and helped me and was disgusted and a man opposite who saw what happened! Not been out publicly running since!

Sparklyshoes16 · 14/06/2018 08:52

I get a little jumpy when people beep their horns still and are near to me! I hate wearing headphones as I like to be aware of my surroundings.

DobbyisFREE · 14/06/2018 09:29

Happens all the time, I often get beeped at or abuse shouted at me or, my personal favourite, cars speeding up into puddles when I'm on my way to work

Spam88 · 14/06/2018 09:33

Oh sparkly that's so horrible :( 20 minutes jogging is amazing! Most I ever managed was 7 and that was when I was young and slim 😂

It isn't as bad where I live now, but when I lived in the South East I'd get beeped/shouted at at least once a day whilst walking to/from work. It was ridiculous.

Fluffyears · 14/06/2018 09:33

It’s like ‘Aye hold on whilst i run after your fiat punto’ silly little boys!

Sparklyshoes16 · 14/06/2018 11:25

@Spam88 it was more walk than jog but I didn't stop! When I bent down to tie my shoe lace I thought I was gonna keel over!

Yes South East for me too!! Must be something in the water or in their case in their milkshakes!!

Butterflykissess · 14/06/2018 12:16

i never get beeped at and im in my 20s!

Original poster

Bodear · 15/06/2018 17:11

@Sparklyshoes16 that’s horrible. I hope it doesn’t deter you for ever. They really are despicable people but it’s not really about your weight. They do it to everyone unfortunately. Big, small, young, old, walking, running, whatever. What they actually say is irrelevant to them I think, iyswim.

OP posts:

SabineUndine · 15/06/2018 17:15

I think guys beep to tell you to get out of their way when in fact they should be letting you cross the road. These are the same guys who say ‘sorry’ in that short, dry way that means ‘get out of my way, mere woman, I’m a MAN with important things to do.’

They annoy me —in case you hadn’t noticed—

Spam88 · 15/06/2018 19:48

sabine doesn't account for the beeping when you're walking along the pavement though (and they hang out of the window and ask if you'll give them a blow job 🙄).

Sparklyshoes16 · 15/06/2018 23:18

@Bodear unfortunately yes it has put me off...I go swimming once in a while at a women's only session but that's about it...I tend to exercise at home now.

O definitely agree with you it's irrelevant to them...they just want to make people's lives a misery! I really don't understand what the hell hoes through someone's mind to do such a thing!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/06/2018 23:46

A few years back , a car slowed down deliberately, young male driver, the young male passenger SPAT on me

I've also been walking on a Snpw Day with DH and the DC and a 4x4 pulled over to the side on an empty road to splash me in slush.

I'm a completely unremarkable middle aged woman.
I did not deserve either of these.

Original poster

Bodear · 15/06/2018 23:49

None of us do 70 it’s very unfair.
I think the most frustrating thing is that we have no opportunity to reply/ question/ object because they’ve already driven off

OP posts:

Haudyerwheesht · 15/06/2018 23:51

I remember as a young teen getting beeped at by vans on my walk home from school most weeks. I was between 14-18 and in school uniform. They’d often shout lewd comments too. I just sort of accepted it as it happened so often but now it actually makes me feel sick especially because I have a daughter.

It happened later too which was also horrible and wrong and stupid but at least I wasn’t in school uniform ffs.

As to why, I’ve no idea. I also remember at least 4/5 times me and my friends being sort of followed by idiots in cars who’d drive past us again and again. Happened a few times as I say over the course of a few years. Shit really.

Original poster

Bodear · 15/06/2018 23:51

@Sparklyshoes16 I hope one day you turn it into a “fuck them” and pick up your running shoes again

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