To think you shouldn’t be able to get away with this?

[Shahlalala]

Sorry it’s car park, CF and supermarket related.

I was indicating and reversing into a space in a busy supermarket car park on Saturday, when suddenly a car just pulls into the space I’m reversing into. She nearly caught the back of me but I was going slowly so stopped quickly.

I was upset as my children were in the back, so I wound down my window and said (not shouting or aggressive) ‘Did you not see me?’
She stared at me and I said ‘You nearly hit my car.’ She went off on one! It’s only a fucking parking space, called me a silly cunt and threatened to come round and smack my face.

I had my five year old and 3 month old in the car, so I drove off to park elsewhere. I didn’t want to make it a thing I’m front of my 5 year old so continued as normal.

I called 101 later and the police person advised there was no point reporting it, nothing would be done and in future not to approach people who behave like that?! Just let it go....

But what can I do? People shouldn’t be able to behave like this and I’m annoyed.

Before anyone asks I did not shout, I did not ask for the parking space and yes it was clear I was parking as the car directly behind me was waiting for me to reverse in, she cut across.

There are parking wars on my street. I reported a similar incident (less extreme language) and the police did follow up immediately.

Your daughter will see a repercussion though. You have spoken to the police about it and “they will tell her off if she does it again.” That should be sufficient for a 5 year old.
I don’t blame you for reporting the behaviour OP. Being threatened like that is very frightening when it’s not something you are accustomed to. I pity anyone who is accustomed to it actually!
I like to think of the quote from Bron in Game of Thrones in situations like these “there’s no cure for being a c*nt”
People behave like this because they are areaholes. No amount of reasoning can change that. Try to forget about it

I think what I find hard is telling DD that there’s no repercussions for adults behaving like that.

She’s 5. You lie and tell her the police went and told the nasty lady off.

Next time, you stare until they stop the overreaction then gently say, I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were unstable. Don't panic, I will go elsewhere.

There should be a penalty for using abusive language and threatening someone, it's disgusting behaviour.

Reassure yourself that you don't have to live in her head and eat with her foul mouth . Every bite she eats much taste of poison.

You don't have to tell your daughter that at all. You can explain to her that sometimes adults do things that aren't nice - sometimes because they have things going on at home, because they made a mistake or because they just aren't very nice people sometimes - however we must do what we can to avoid escalating situations where necessary and be rational.

You should have laughed manically and said 'I hope you won't be leaving your car for long.'
She would have had a horrible time shopping wondering what she would come back to.

She was verbally abusive. It counts as harassment as made you uncomfortable. It is bad that she gets away with this

You are so NBU! You were in the car with a newborn and vulnerable. She was rude, aggressive and threatened you. I wouldn’t have called the police but I understand why you did. I visit members of the public (think healthcare) in their homes and two years ago a man did this to me, threatening to inflict specific nasty injury if I ever went back. By chance said nasty injury happened accidentally during this time. Work has just said I have to go back and I am genuinely wondering how I can get a new job in two weeks rather than go back.

Unfortunately, the police have a point. The best way to deal with this is to avoid confronting people and let it slide. It might be frustrating but at least out won’t get hurt.

Those voting YABU, I hope you understand that threatening to smack someone across the face IS A CRIME. A police officer has already commented so hope you listen to that at least. How is it not public knowledge that you commit a crime by threatening to hit someone?!

We mainly maintain civil society through voluntary adherence to laws and accepted social norms. It is way too expensive to enforce most standards of behaviour through third parties. You need to let minor things go.

A few weeks ago I was driving from the left and turning into a space where a woman in a BMW 4x4 completely cut me up for it by zooming in from the right - clearly intentional. Sounded the horn and sat there for a moment as I was quite shocked, but I hope it also made her worried that I was going to get out and have words.

Someone tried to do it again as I positioned myself to reverse into a space on Saturday. I sounded the horn as I had started reversing when a car tried to turn into the space. Luckily from where they were there wasn't enough space for them to drive in and they had to reverse. It was so clearly a try on, they had seen me indicating to go into the space while letting the other car vacate it, I went forward to reverse and they tried to get in ahead of me. This time it didn't work! Ha!

I feel your pain, OP, she knew she was in the wrong which was why she got so mouthy. I have front and rear cameras, so if someone else did cause a smash it will all be on film.

I totally understand OP and if our police were properly staffed and funded I'd be saying report her to them, because threatening abusive speech is horrible, cruel and indecent especially when children can hear as well. I don't blame you for calling them.

The fact of the matter is, it shouldn't be about whether there is enough police resource to deal with this criminal behaviour, there 'should' be. I am sick to death of this kind of scenario being the norm these days, it's like the bullies from school are all grown up and there are literally no consequences for your actions- it's hardly just 'rude' PPs making it out to be the equivalent of not holding the door for someone in a shop!

Of course, it isn't ok, but the Police won't do anything. Sometimes you just have to accept that there are CFs in the world and move on.

Wasn't the incident on the train with the woman eating a smelly egg to do with bring being verbally abusive and aggressive ?

No folk shouldn’t behave like this, bad enough trying to pinch a space but that kind of response to someone with kids in their cars is awful.

Best start shopping in Waitrose. Unfortunately the best you can do with these kinds of people if you can’t cope with their behaviour is to avoid them (which is almost impossible in Britain to be fair).

just another scumbag who dosent know how to converse without shouting and swearing forget it and move on,

Next time wave a smith and wesson out the window or a cutlass that you've borrowed of you son in the car;)

That might be the only thing that will make them behave.

Happened to me and the now ex wife some years ago this little jumped up prat was arguing with her and i came back to the car and he asked who I was sticking my nose in well sometimes being 2 metres tall and neigh on 21 stone does have its advantages:)

It ended up with me saying "well what are you going to do about it"

At that point i think his survival instinct kicked in and he went off around the speed of sound! Not that I might add the wife was someone you'd want to tangle with, she can stand her ground!

Best start shopping in Waitrose

I dunno, ours is packed with 4 x 4's Audis, Mercs, big volvos but they are a tad better behaved only issue is that some require Two spaces to get their urban tanks in!

I thought threatening to smack your face was illegal so therefore technically YANBU to report a crime but given current police resource and lack of witnesses and the minor nature in the grand scheme of things, YABU to have actually expected them to do anything about it.