Sort of an AIBU but more of a ‘What would you do?’
I took a taxi home from work today. I had decided to pop in to little Tesco on the way home to get some bits, so when I called the taxi I said to the operator that it was a taxi from ‘workplace’ to that specific Tesco.
When I got in the taxi, the taxi driver said, ‘to Little Tesco?’ and so I said that was right. Anyway, after small talk where I said I was going to pick a few things up and then walk home, he said “where do you live?” so I said just the other side of little Tesco. Then he said, “where though, what street?” so I said “about 10 minutes walk away.”
Him: “No, where though. Where do you live? I can wait for you and drop you home.”
Me: Feeling a bit creeped out “It’s ok I’m happy to walk thank you, it’s a lovely day!” (fake smile) At this point I text my DP ‘in taxi’ and ping him my location on Apple maps so he can track me.
Anyway, we get to little Tesco and he parks up and I give my card as payment, it’s taking ages then he says “it’s not working love” so I say “that’s ok there’s a card machine by the entrance, I can get cash out” he huffs a bit and tries my card again and then says “I think it’s the wifi, if we drive around there I might be able to pick it up” Not sure where ‘there’ was but I feel really uneasy at this point as he’s already starting to drive again. I decided to call DP to let him know I’m on my way just going to get bits at Tesco, is there anything else he needs kind of thing (basically a call to let the driver know my DP knows where I am) then he stops and mumbled something and tried again and it worked!! I opened the car door, got out and retrieved my card through the drivers window. Then he says again “where do you live I can drop you home” and I just completely blanked him and walked (almost ran) off.
I looked behind and he was still parked up watching me go into Tesco.
I was so spooked I didn’t actually buy anything I went straight through and out the other side, out the back exit to the street behind and called my DP to collect me on his way home. So then I sat on this bench behind Tesco just panicking about this driver until DP pulled up.
I don’t know if I have overreacted and just spooked myself but it just didn’t feel right. I was going to complain to the taxi company but I’m a bit hesitant as if he is dodgy he knows where I work and my name. He didn’t really say or do anything wrong either but my gut feeling was telling me to get out of there and not to give him any info.
DP thinks I should report btw but I’m doubting myself now. I know it’s hard from just my story, but what would you do? Would you have felt the same?