Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what's the rudest thing a stranger has done to you?

704 replies

YoungScrappyHungry · 08/12/2020 14:48

Inspired by the lovely thread about kindest thing strangers have done for you, and also a chance for me to share this horror.

When I was 19, I worked on the tills at a supermarket in my holidays from university.

A woman I was serving was staring at me, trying to get my attention as I scanned her stuff. I looked up at her and smiled. She said, in still the most condescending tone I've ever heard:

'Don't you wish you'd studied now?'

I was so floored and ashamed, I didn't say a thing back and just carried on scanning her things. Fact was I was actually at university, but even if I hadn't been....aghh!....still gets me.

What are yours?

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 16/12/2020 11:27

i would have sat there and said no im working thanks

PurpleFrames · 16/12/2020 23:52

@StickTheKettleOnAlice
Thank you for your message x I am looking forward to seeing family over the holidays and hoping for a better 2021.

Happy Holidays everyone 🎄

DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 17/12/2020 10:25

That is shocking, contrary13.
Maybe the student midwife can be excused (for not noticing the jaundice, not the comment!) but the one who I assume was supposed to be supervising has no excuse (and should have pulled her up about her comment!)

Ddot · 17/12/2020 13:29

Turning right at the roundabout during rush hour, all of a sudden the roundabout stopped, totally congested and then moving very slow, I indicated to get off but a car pulled in front of me, I pointed to him saying I'm indicating only to be confronted with this cheeky MF putting his finger to his mouth, basically telling me to be quiet 🤯my head almost exploded

Ddot · 17/12/2020 17:05

Shopping with boyfriend, assistant saw me eyeing up an expensive item. Assistant walked over and said get your dad to buy it for you. Boyfriend Is six months older than me. He was mortified, assistant was mortified I on the other hand haha🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Ddot · 17/12/2020 17:11

Can I please ask, why do people feel the need to add a little snide remark on other peoples postings. Ok if its helpful but if you have nothing nice to say, go make a cup of tea

Ddot · 17/12/2020 17:13

IrmaFayLear
You were probably too glamorous

Ddot · 17/12/2020 17:17

Neighbour asked why I hadn't had children, are you baron or something.
Yes!
Didn't speak to me for months
Fine by me

PinkPurpleFlowers · 17/12/2020 17:20

@Anna713

Years ago, I was working as a waitress in a very nice hotel. A large group of people had ordered drinks and coffees etc, so I took them over on a tray and bent down to put the tray on a fairly low coffee table. One of the men used both hands to grab my breasts quite hard as I was leant over. (I didn't have a low top on or anything, not that that was anything to do with it.) He said in a loud voice "I've always wanted to do that" What made it worse was that the mixed group of men and women he was with all laughed and found it hilarious.

I was just walked off and refused to serve them the rest of their order. I still wish I had made more of a fuss.

Management should have called the police.
CurbsideProphet · 17/12/2020 17:36

Another customer at a takeaway place in a large railway station shouted at me for being too slow getting something out of the fridge. She then carried on haranguing me while I paid. It was very odd. She didn't want anything out of the fridge and could have gone ahead of me. Staff behind the counter didn't know what to say.

Ingridla · 17/12/2020 17:47

I was on the tube, sitting down & it was a couple of weeks after my sons stillbirth. A heavily pregnant woman got on and the bloke sitting opposite barked at me 'well get up then'

Iootraw1 · 17/12/2020 18:52

I was sitting with my DHin a pub garden enjoying a drink when I heard two teenage girls laughing at and talking very loudly about my brace (on my teeth). I. Think they found it particularly amusing because I was 31 at the time. An older man was sitting with them who I presume to be one of the girl’s dad. He said nothing while they were doing this. When we were leaving I stopped at their table and told them that I hoped they would never face being teased if they had to have to have a brace on their teeth in the near future. None of them said a word in response but an apology would have been nice.

Anna713 · 17/12/2020 20:40

@PinkPurpleFlowers Yes, management should have called the police. I told the manager who was disgusted with the man, but he didn't do anything other than take the remaining drinks over to the group himself and ask if there was a problem. I was in my late twenties then but probably looked younger which is no doubt why they thought they could get away with it. I could kick myself for not being more assertive. I wasn't upset because I thought they were pathetic but I was shocked really because I naively thought 'posh' people in an expensive and crowded restaurant would not behave like that. Like I said I was very innocent in my younger days.

Ddot · 17/12/2020 20:42

I have a menial job and not much of an education, if someone made a remark and I had a PhD I'd rub it in too. You worked hard for it so brag away. And for all those ladies who think their ugly, I've met some beautiful woman who take off their makeup and are plain, Its all in the base. I've had to stop reading these posts as its depressing, how horrible people are still surprises me.

Ddot · 17/12/2020 20:43

Merry Christmas

uhohbrusselsprouts · 17/12/2020 20:48

Was heavily pregnant, walking along with my two older children, minding my own business. 2 lads walking towards us - one turned to the other and said 'I wouldn't shag her once, let alone 3 times'.

Still makes me feel like shit 2 years on.

Wrenna · 17/12/2020 20:57

I was shopping and had my arms full of bags. This was before automated doors. I was leaving and noticed a person behind me. I dropped some of my bags and it was no mistaking it 100% obvious I tried to keep the door open for her so it wouldn’t slam in her face, but I couldn’t, and it shut on her. I apologized, and she screamed YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK!! She was black and I’m white, I don’t know if it was white people she was referring to but I felt like it was.

EloiseTheFirst · 18/12/2020 19:15

I was 9 months pregnant and went to the dealership to collect my car which was being serviced.

The customer service man was busy with another customer so I waited.

There was a man hanging around as well but he seemed to be looking at the new cars so I thought nothing of it.

When the customer was finished, the staff member called me forward.

I lumbered towards the desk and sat in the chair. I explained that I was collecting my car and he said no problem I'll go and get your keys and paperwork and he disappeared through a back door.

I was just sat waiting when suddenly the man who was looking at cars suddenly came up to me angrily and said "I was before you! Get out of that seat!" I was really shocked to say that I did as he asked because I didn't feel up to an argument.

So I heaved myself out of the chair and stood behind it while he triumphantly sat down.

The staff member came back and was very confused to see the man sat there and me standing behind. So he asked what was going on.

The man said he was there first so he wanted to be served first.

The staff member said no sir - I was serving this lady - please be kind enough to allow her to sit down so I can finish dealing with her.

The nasty fucker got all arsey and said I insist you serve me first and the staff member was having none of it and made him wait over to the side in another seating area.

He served me and as I left I heard the nasty fucker approach the staff member who said he would be ready in a minute.

He then swanned out towards me and spent far more time than he should have going through everything with me and as I drove off I noticed the twat was still sitting waiting to be served! Grin

Snackasaurus · 18/12/2020 22:19

Years ago, I was waiting to get served at a bar, a man came over and shoved me out the way. After a few choice words, he proceeded to call me a slag and then shout to his mate that I had fat legs! Xmas Shock

I mean, I do have a tendency to over indulge in chocolates, crisps and all things 'bad'. I have more 'cheat days' then I have good days but as a size 12, I would hardly proclaim I have fat legs. Xmas Grin

Ddot · 19/12/2020 11:25

I'm a size 8 to 10 and was described as having heavy legs my an inlaw, at a wedding. I do have legs that look like they belong to someone else but you dont have to mention it

GreenlandTheMovie · 19/12/2020 15:15

My former SIL, discussing what was available in the January sales, said "Oh theres no point in going, they only have really weird sizes, like size 8 and size 22".

Sweetpea1532 · 21/12/2020 18:47

@Ddot
Same here! I look like a bodybuilder with legs like tree trunks and have been classified as having 'thick legs'
Lol, I look like a starving skeleton from the waist up...one good thing about it is we are supposed to be less prone to heart attacks.Smile

cologne4711 · 21/12/2020 18:55

@CranberryCaballe

My first job was in public libraries back in pre computer days so library tickets which were filed. One day was sorting out returned books and handing back tickets when a man said that my hair was hanging in the tickets and was revolting. I looked at the name on the tickets, a local councillor, and handed them to him saying I would remember that comment when the next local elections were due. I did and reminded him when he came door to door touting for votes a few years later.

The following election he was out in the local town centre with a crowd of his sycophants accosting passersby. I was delighted to be stopped so I could remind him again of his rudeness in front of his followers.

That is a great tale of revenge served cold :)
Flackattack · 21/12/2020 18:56

So sorry to read that @BobISMyUncle - but don’t let one twat put you off! Yours or the nurse!!! Don’t miss a smear they are so important!

PolytheneHam · 21/12/2020 19:00

I was in town with friends a few years ago when a man approached me, big smile of his face, to say that everyone could see my fat bell jiggle when I moved. I was mortified.