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AIBU?

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Original poster

Was I being mean to say no on such a terrible night?

181 replies

Bottletopsx · 26/01/2019 10:41

61 live alone isolated area nearest neighbour 1/2 mile away. Two nights ago 10.30 very heavy snow.
Two men rang my doorbell saying there car had crashed in the snow, no phone battery left, could I take them to the main road about 2 miles away. I lied and said that I had been drinking so could not drive.
I offered my phone but they said they did not know any number by memory and would flag someone down on the main road for a lift.
Was I wrong to make them walk in the snow?
I was worried about taking 2 men in my car late at night and leaving my house empty but now I feel guilty

OP posts:
Ghanagirl · 27/01/2019 19:56

@Bottletopsx
Just reading your post made me feel scared(I’m complete wuss)
Seriously no way I would do this and I’m in my 40’s live in a semi within a cul de sac!!

ShowMeTheKittens · 27/01/2019 19:57

Definitely you did the right thing x

WaitWhatOh · 27/01/2019 20:11

Ha! About two months ago a similar thing happened to me OP, except it was 3am Shock and he wanted petrol as he’d broken down. He didn’t knock he was sneaking around the outbuildings and the dogs saw him and went crackers. Terrifying. I sent him away -after screaming - and called the police.
After the shock wore off I wondered if he was truly stuck in middle of nowhere So I felt a bit bad...
police said yes he had broken down.
In a stolen car. AngryHmm
They really told him off for coming to my house at 3am too.

Betty777 · 27/01/2019 20:18

If I'm honest OP I would let the local police know what happened, in case they are targeting people in your area. You might stop someone more vulnerable and less sensible than you being targeted

As PP have said, one dead phone is feasible, two is not believable

KatherinaMinola · 27/01/2019 20:23

I agree, let the local police know what happened. If it's innocent it doesn't matter, and if it isn't then your information will help.

I would have offered to call a rescue service for them but I wouldn't let them in or take them anywhere.

Ghanagirl · 27/01/2019 20:30

@rubyroot
It’s quite easy not to be accused of being racism
Don’t say racist things.

expat101 · 27/01/2019 20:38

You did the right thing and what a perfect answer you gave! Hard for anyone to find an excuse to avoid that. I would have thought if they were genuine, they would have been pleased to have used your telephone. I find that odd about them.

Grace212 · 27/01/2019 20:42

@WaitWhatOh

so you spoke to him? The dogs didn't put him off?

WaitWhatOh · 27/01/2019 20:46

I have a large glass door window I spoke thro. The dogs did scare the hell out of him Smile Utter CF scaring me like that!!

NicolaStart · 27/01/2019 20:49

BOTH had no phone battery?
They had no in-car charging system?
They exprctec you to drive in heavy snow?

Nah.

I might have told them I would ring AA of local service, and sent them back to wait by their car for help.

Italiangreyhound · 27/01/2019 20:52

Totally agree with Betty777

"...I would let the local police know what happened, in case they are targeting people in your area. You might stop someone more vulnerable and less sensible than you being targeted

As PP have said, one dead phone is feasible, two is not believable."

Boysey45 · 27/01/2019 20:56

You did the right thing, I wouldn't have even gone to the door. I never open the door unless I know who it is during the day. On a night no chance.

importantkath · 27/01/2019 21:00

The only thing I would have done differently is to offer them a taxi, but apart from that, you did the right thing.

Grace212 · 27/01/2019 21:13

@WaitWhatOh

I guess the answer to that is wait, what, oh... Grin

I had visions of you going to the outhouses to confront them in person!

Touchmybum · 27/01/2019 22:45

You totally did the right thing. I don't even open the door during the day if I'm home alone unless I am expecting a delivery.

I'm not sure they were there for any sinister purpose as they probably would have gone ahead anyway once you opened the door.... don't mean to scare you but wouldn't open the door to anyone, unless you at least have a chain on it. (Ours is broken, should fix that!)

They had a right nerve on them expecting you to drive in the snow when they'd just crashed in it? No, no, no!!

cherish123 · 27/01/2019 23:06

You did the right thing. You need to protect yourself. I am not sure I would have answered the door, to be honest.

TigerTooth · 27/01/2019 23:07

Sounds odd - I think you should let police know anyway, just in case it's a local scam or they are checking who lives at yours. Please don't answer without a chain on the door in future.

Patroclus · 27/01/2019 23:14

Having watch Clockwork Orange, no fucking way would they be coming in.

Patroclus · 27/01/2019 23:15

Also, who goes out in the snow, both with phones which are nearly dead. Almost sinister.

MaintainTheMolehill · 27/01/2019 23:53

This has really freaked me out. I 100% think they were at it but can't fathom what their plan was?

Beahun · 27/01/2019 23:59

Wonder if they were checking if anyone was at home and if not then they would break in? Just doesn’t add up that they didn’t even wanted to call anyone. Surly they would know one number from childhood between the two of them. People used to know phone numbers then.

Dita73 · 28/01/2019 00:23

You definitely did the right thing. That’s straight out of A Clockwork Orange

ittakes2 · 28/01/2019 04:09

No - you did the right thing in fact it was very quick thinking saying you had been drinking.

proseccoaficionado · 28/01/2019 04:26

You weren't mean. You were protecting yourself. You definitely did the right thing

FortunesFave · 28/01/2019 08:06

If my DH was in that position, no way would he and his friend go as a pair to knock on a door! One man would stay with the vehicle.

TWO men knocking on an unknown door? Right away that's suspicious.