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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To turn up in old car to posh place?

104 replies

Ribrabrob · 15/09/2020 14:59

I have an interview later at quite a high end health club type of place regularly frequented by millionaires. The job is a fairly basic admin type role.

I was planning to get the bus however this isn’t possible now so I’ll need to drive my car... a very old tired rusty KA which I just noticed has bird poo allllll over it Blush (not enough time to clean it). the job ad made a point of saying that appearance is very important.

I really do need some kind of job right now - would I be unreasonable to turn up in this car? Should I cancel? I feel embarrassed. One side of me thinks I shouldn’t be and that it’s just a car, but then the other side of me is unsure.

Just to note it’s gated and they will see my car on the camera at the gates.

OP posts:
linerforlife · 15/09/2020 15:01

Drive it. But run it through a car wash beforehand!! Nothing wrong with something old so long as it's clean and tidy. Make sure youre clean and tidy too!! Don't go overboard on your appearance or you'll feel self conscious. AND GOOD LUCK OP!

StarchyStanley · 15/09/2020 15:01

Of YANBU! But I would definitely clean it first.

StarchyStanley · 15/09/2020 15:01

Of course*

Anordinarymum · 15/09/2020 15:02

Don't allow your car to stop you from getting the job. Lots of people drive crappy looking cars. Lots of people drive big shiny motors that they do not own !

Didntwanttochangemyname · 15/09/2020 15:02

You can't cancel a job interview because your car is dirty and run down. You just can't!

Go, if it comes up then tell them you'll be buying a new car when you can afford it, but there is no way it's going to come up.

I know some very wealthy people who drive absolute bangers.

Hadalifeonce · 15/09/2020 15:02

When it says about appearance, it means your, not your car! Lots of people drive around in very old cars, some if them very wealthy. They are interested in how well you can do the job and fit in with the team, not what you drive.

maxelly · 15/09/2020 15:03

I'd drive it, but if possible could you park it on the street outside or in a nearby public car park (potentially not possible I guess if the place is in the countryside?) - but I really can't seem them minding too much about the car so long as you are well dressed and presentation yourself, if you don't draw attention to it!

Aposterhasnoname · 15/09/2020 15:03

Park it near the bus stop and walk the rest of the way.

Northofsomewhere · 15/09/2020 15:03

By the sounds of it you don't actually have a choice - you need a job and need to travel to the interview by car.
I'm not particularly bothered about appearance beyond ensuring I'm clean and dressed appropriately (I go to work with my wet curly hair and no one seems to bat an eyelid). If you do feel concerned about the car maybe park it in a corner somewhere so it's out of the way of customers and give it a wash when you get chance.

Pootles34 · 15/09/2020 15:03

Are you going to drive it into the reception? Why on earth would they notice?

I think better to drive and arrive cool and smart, than getting the bus and being all hot and flustered.

CousinDolores · 15/09/2020 15:04

The poshest people I know all have really, really old cars. It's a sort of badge of honour.

But if appearance is important, probably best not to turn up with a filthy car - agree with those suggesting you put it through a car wash on the way there?

SummerHouse · 15/09/2020 15:06

They are employing you not your car. And fuck them if they turn you down. I think you will get the job. I will welcome my free membership as a thank you for my belief in you OP. Wink Although they probs wouldn't let me in....

MsEllany · 15/09/2020 15:08

Are there really places so snooty you’d have to commit to buying a new car when you can afford one??!

You can’t cancel because of your car. If you’re really bothered, park outside the gates somewhere and get a cab the remainder of the way or walk.

elfycat · 15/09/2020 15:08

I went to a lovely hotel for one night on my honeymoon (all we could afford there). Helicopters on the lawn type thing. As we drove up (in a naice enough car) I said to my husband 'I hope we don;t have the shittest cat here'. Got to the car park and you've never seen a more sorry bunch of battered cars.

People with money often have money because they don't overdo things with cars etc. Get it clean - run through a garage car wash - because that shows lack of attention but do not worry about the age of make of the car you drive.

(I love ford Ka's. I miss mine)

Original poster
Ribrabrob · 15/09/2020 15:11

Oh wow you’re all putting my mind at ease! Feeling a bit better about it now. I did think perhaps I was just being silly.

I will try my hardest to get it clean beforehand but not sure if I’ll have time.

Thanks everyone and thanks for the good lucks too!

OP posts:
LakieLady · 15/09/2020 15:11

One of the richest people for miles around, and a hereditary peer, used to rock up at Tesco in the shabbiest, filthiest Escort estate I have ever seen. And he used to wear very worn and grubby corduroys and frequently had what appeared to be egg down his tie.

Lovely man though, and not snooty at all.

Park at the furthest corner of the car park, OP, no-one will even know it's yours.

And good luck!

BlueJava · 15/09/2020 15:12

You can't cancel an interview for having a dirty car! Either go in the car and clean it on the way or park round the corner and walk in so they don't see your car.

glueandstick · 15/09/2020 15:15

Put it through the car wash and you’ll feel a million times better. Quick clean inside and make it smell good and it may as well be a Range Rover. Do not be embarrassed. The poshest people I know drive sheds. The ones wigh shiny shiny new tend to be new money and not the lovely down to earth ‘proper’ rich.

Rich takes two forms. Financial and spirit. To be extremely wealthy you need to be both. No one cares.

elfycat · 15/09/2020 15:16

*car, not cat. Have cat half sitting on my hands now. For the record my cat is not the shittest thing anywhere - she had beautiful manners

To turn up in old car to posh place?
2bazookas · 15/09/2020 15:19

staff car park is probably round the back. The other employees won't earn enough to drive posh cars so yours won't raise any eyebrows.

FGS turn a hosepipe on it before you go.

AgeLikeWine · 15/09/2020 15:22

I wouldn’t think twice about turning up at a job interview in an old, basic car.

I definitely would not want to turn up at a job interview in a dirty car of any age or brand, so I would at the very least put it through a car wash.

LilyLongJohn · 15/09/2020 15:23

Got it cleaned or park around the corner and walk in

99redballoonshaveallpopped · 15/09/2020 15:23

Some of the richest people I know have some of the most beaten up old bangers. This is for several reasons:

  1. when it's a long drive up a pothole infested private road anything remotely low to the ground (Italian supercar, that's you) wouldnt survive the driveway
  2. You need an old car 'for the dogs'
  3. Because flashing the cash is very much seen as vulgar and something only 'new money' people do.
  4. Because old cars last. And last. And last some more.
QuestionableMouse · 15/09/2020 15:25

The richest person I know (multi millionaire) drives an absolute banger of a car. They're not going to care.

FlamedToACrisp · 15/09/2020 15:28

As they're a health club, I'd take the comment about appearance to mean they want someone who looks fit and healthy, not fat and spotty! But clean the car or park it around the corner.

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