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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bin collectors shouting c*nt and sh*t at 6:30am

262 replies

Carrotcakefiend · 19/05/2020 06:53

We're on a street of terrace houses of mainly young families and over 65s. Our bin collection happens 6-7am on a Wednesday morning. The bin collectors do a good job and I have no problems with them talking loudly cos bin collection is never quiet anyway! But recently there's a new man, and he swears and swears at the top of his voice. This morning, he wife is a cnt apparently, and some other things are sht. It also sounded like he had a full on argument with one of the other collectors.

Aibu to ask them to stop yelling, or to mention it to the council?

I feel bad reporting someone doing a tough job, especially during the lockdown, but at the same time I feel it's really not ok to be speaking the way he does, yelling and shouting down the street. What would you do? Please help!

OP posts:
longwayoff · 19/05/2020 10:24

A few years ago a menacing brace of armed criminals from that London arrived in this small city with it's medieval street plan and narrow roads. Parked outside a jewellers, ran in and demanded £250,000 of the finest bling which was duly handed over by poor terrified staff. Crims ran out with their swag only to find their getaway car blocked in by a bin lorry in the narrow street.Grin Hilarious. It's made me laugh so much over the years that bin men can do no wrong.

PhoneLock · 19/05/2020 10:25

In the very rural area where we live, we’re all out cantering before 6.30

Xenia · 19/05/2020 10:25

It is just the type of man they hire - I don't think it really matters. Ours are good although they missed bins last week so not in my best books currently as was supposed to be first garden waste collection since CV19.

Pleasenodont · 19/05/2020 10:26

He sounds like a total prick. They know they likely disturb people enough just with the manner of the job and the time they arrive, there’s no need to also shout and swear. It’s not very professional either, hardly like anyone in any other job would get away with this.

CecilyP · 19/05/2020 10:26

No that’s how those sort of people talk, you are being a bit precious and classist

Those sort of people??? I think you are the one being classist! Are you assuming he is so low class he just can’t help himself? He is not talking, he is shouting and swearing and at 6.30 in the morning. None of the other guys in the same job are doing that.

OP, just phone the council. They are used to taking complaints, often about things far more trivial than this. There is no need to film it , there is no need to rush down in your nightie to tell him off. The boss should speak to him; he won’t get sacked. He may usually work on a less residential route and is only in your area because of the current situation.

Dreeple · 19/05/2020 10:28

PhoneLock:

“www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHFXG3r_0B8”

It’s leafier than that.

ClassicCola · 19/05/2020 10:29

You think only 'those sort of people' or 'type of man they hire' swear?

Get real.

CecilyP · 19/05/2020 10:30

Bin men are rough and ready “lad” types, that is how they talk.

You know nothing about them and sound like a snob. I’m sure they are all sorts. The only one I know personally is most definitely not rough and ready!

Smellbellina · 19/05/2020 10:31

Never complain about the bin men! My neighbour did once, she ended up with a lot of red tags on her bin and a lot of rubbish to take to the tip.

bullyingadvice2017 · 19/05/2020 10:33

It's not ok. I swear like a trooper. But there's times you have to reign it in. At work is the first big one. Dosent matter if they work in a tip or a office.
Ring the council.

Lynda07 · 19/05/2020 10:33

Like yourself, Carrotcake, I don't like the idea of grassing anyone up but I would certainly do so in this case. 'Rough' refuse collectors may be but that sort of language is totally unacceptable. You won't be the only one to have heard it. They are grown up people and should know that kids might hear and copy them.

Mummyshark2019 · 19/05/2020 10:34

Definitely complain! Why should you have to hear that rubbish. They are getting paid to do a job and provide a service. They need to remain as professional as they can be whilst in the job. This is unacceptable.

Dreeple · 19/05/2020 10:34

CecilyP
The only one I know personally is most definitely not rough and ready!

Not even if you ask nicely?

Lynda07 · 19/05/2020 10:36

Smellbellina Tue 19-May-20 10:31:24
Never complain about the bin men! My neighbour did once, she ended up with a lot of red tags on her bin and a lot of rubbish to take to the tip.
........
The op needs to make sure her complaint is confidential - which it always should be anyway. The refuse collector needs to reign in his language - I'm assuming 'him', where I live we have a woman on the bins. I've never even heard them shout never mind be foul mouthed.

AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff · 19/05/2020 10:37

Our lads are total gents and I’ve not ever heard them swear in the presence of women. They are kind and considerate and often go above and beyond.

If they did swear, I wouldn’t complain.

Could you speak to them directly?

EstherEliza · 19/05/2020 10:38

Maybe you could volunteer to take the whole streets rubbish to the tip in your car so the bin men don't have to come? No? Stop moaning then.

He is paid for the job, he's not a volunteer. And most people can't behave like that at work. As a representative of the council nor can he. 🙄

BIWI · 19/05/2020 10:39

I'm slightly alarmed by the idea that when I turn 65 I also turn into a shrinking violet who will clutch her pearls at the odd swear word Hmm

YANBU to be concerned about your children hearing the language, and by all means complain - either to the bin men themselves or to the company/council

OK - I'll repeat my post without the bit that got it deleted!

"YABVU to use asterisks in your words. When you write 'cunt' or 'fuck* we all know what you mean. So why not just write the word in full? It doesn't make it any less offensive. If you didn't want to use the words, you could have just talked about the bin men swearing, or using foul/offensive language."

For those of you who don't like the words, that's absolutely fine - it's not obligatory to use them!

Khadernawazkhan · 19/05/2020 10:39

Cant abide swearing in public (or private for that matter). Would drop a line to Council. I be others who work with him don't like it much either. Its wearing.

mrsBtheparker · 19/05/2020 10:41

You object to that language yet you can read MN where it would be considered quite normal!

Macncheeseballs · 19/05/2020 10:44

I dont think swearing on mumsnet is normal

midnightstar66 · 19/05/2020 10:50

It is a lot less sweary on here than it used to be.

mrsBtheparker · 19/05/2020 10:56

I dont think swearing on mumsnet is normal

Maybe our idea of what constitutes searing differs.

HollowTalk · 19/05/2020 11:06

I'd definitely complain. He's a new guy, so pretty identifiable. He's using really nasty language loud enough so that children can hear him. I don't think it matters what time it is, really - it wouldn't be any better if it was later in the day.

He sounds awful - imagine his temper by the end of the day if he's talking like that so early.

TylluanBach · 19/05/2020 11:08

It's unacceptable, I wouldn't get away with behaving like that at work

Dickorydockwhatthe · 19/05/2020 11:10

It doesn't matter what job you do if you are working you should be professional especially in front of the public. It doesn't mean im a prude to the cunt word, its a word that I only use as a joke to dh I would never ever use it front of my grand parents.