AIBU to reject a regular lift in a dirty car?

[BettySundaes]

Met a mum at a regular activity my DD goes to, got chatting and found she lives very close to me. We take the train to said activity she drives and offered us a regular lift.

Both mum and daughter seem nice, well dressed etc but I was shocked when we got in the car. Not just rubbish everywhere, crumbs on the seats, grimy carpet just the pits - I felt like I needed a shower after the ride. I've grinned and borne it a few times and we have now had the summer break but I really would prefer to take the train. Activity starts back next week - what excuse can I make though??

You could tell her that you don't want to tread on her generous nature any longer.

Take the train then, you sound quite rude. A

Your daughter has sadly started vomiting on car journeys and you don't want her to be sick in the other mums car.

I don't need a lift starting from xxx because I'll be leaving from xxx, not home. (or wherever you meet now)

Tbh I think you're being a tiny bit precious... A few crumbs aren't the end of the world.

Well this is a switch up from the usual lift threads

Just say your timings have changed so thanks so much, but you no longer need the lift

I thought everyone who had children had cars like you describe though?!

God you wouldn't want to see my car

Tell her you have another commitment before the activity, which is near to the train station, so it’s easier for you to get the train.

Hilarious

Doesn't sound any different to most trains to be honest.

Our car is full of horse feed, bits of straw, dried mud, and the odd dead partridge.

Reckon you got off lightly...

This is hilarious! You’d hate my car I will add my house is very clean and tidy, I just don’t bother with the car. It gets us from A to B usually with other people’s kids and dogs in it.

You would have a heart attack if you got in my car 😂
Just say "oh i so & so, good to see you, thanks but we dont need a lift any more we have another activity planned / visit with relative tied in straight after"
Or you could do a white lie mixed with honesty "i really dont want to sound rude, just im allergic to something in your car, ive realised every time ive had a lift im sneezing all night afterwards!"

Provided it's just a bit of superficial mess, I would just be grateful for the ride. Someting like wee-stained seats would be different!

Very funny

Tell her the truth about the crumbs and grimy carpets. Her car is unhygienic and it is your responsibility to tell her.

A few crumbs won't harm you! You do sound a bit precious.

Just say thank you for the lifts, and that you won't be needing them anymore as you will be travelling from family/another location.

😂

Activity is early morning so can't say we are doing something else first and that doesn't get us out of the return journey.

I don't think this is being precious, it is the filthiest car I've ever been in, I don't think it has ever been cleaned.

The car sickness excuse is good, except I think DD would give the game away.

Is it really much grimier than the average public train seat? Think of all the sweaty arses and greasy heads that have been ground into them.

There are plenty of mysterious stains on the upholstery!

And trains are sterile environments?!...

Tell her the truth about the crumbs and grimy carpets. Her car is unhygienic and it is your responsibility to tell her.

Yes, and do come back and let us know how it went

OP where are these super clean trains you're catching?

Offer to clean it out for her as a thank you?

If you tell her her car is unhygienic you'll probably get a tirade of well deserved abuse never have a lift again and be spoken about in local circles as polly precious