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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Creepy taxi driver?

45 replies

SallyCinnabon · 08/06/2021 17:46

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. Blush 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?

OP posts:
SallyCinnabon · 08/06/2021 17:49

I also know that cash isn’t being accepted everywhere still at the moment but it was more asking for the name of the street where I lived Confused

OP posts:
Twistered · 08/06/2021 17:59

Hard to report as he could be seen to be just helpful, friendly etc. If you get that feeling something isn't quite right it's difficult to convince others of it from just a feeling.

I'm 100% with you though. I was definitely creeped out at him trying to coax you kind of round the corner.
Glad your tingly senses prevailed.
You just never know

SallyCinnabon · 08/06/2021 18:05

I know, that’s just the thing. It’s so difficult when you’re in an emotional situation to be objective. It was his persistence for me. If he’d have offered I said no and he left it I think I wouldn’t have even given it a second thought.

OP posts:
fairydustandsparkle · 08/06/2021 18:16

It’s a difficult one. Ironically, he may have been concerned for your safety. Although it was mid-afternoon in a busy ish place from the sounds of things. So that seems a bit odd. Or he might have been a creep.

I think you did the right thing. It’s obvious something didn’t feel right to you and you should never ignore your instinct. I hope you’re ok now!

Waspsarearseholes · 08/06/2021 18:18

Hmm I think it would be a bit tricky to report, more's the pity. I think I understand completely what you mean about him giving you the creeps, it's hard to explain to someone isn't it? I think, though, ultimately he'd just claim, as a PP said, that he was just being helpful/wanted an increased fare, etc. Is he self employed or does he work for a taxi firm? Might it be worth an informal conversation with his boss, if nothing else so they can 'advise' him (how to not be creepy) or in case they've had complaints from other people about him?

3LittleDucksQuack · 08/06/2021 18:23

Maybe over friendly. And trying to make a couple extra quid.?
I dunno either way he knows where u work now so keep eye out

SallyCinnabon · 08/06/2021 18:24

@fairydustandsparkle

It’s a difficult one. Ironically, he may have been concerned for your safety. Although it was mid-afternoon in a busy ish place from the sounds of things. So that seems a bit odd. Or he might have been a creep.

I think you did the right thing. It’s obvious something didn’t feel right to you and you should never ignore your instinct. I hope you’re ok now!

Yes maybe he just didn’t understand the creepiness of insisting my home address, men don’t have the same experience to pull from as women, so he might not have realised.

I am, thank you. Flowers

OP posts:
SallyCinnabon · 08/06/2021 18:26

@Waspsarearseholes

Hmm I think it would be a bit tricky to report, more's the pity. I think I understand completely what you mean about him giving you the creeps, it's hard to explain to someone isn't it? I think, though, ultimately he'd just claim, as a PP said, that he was just being helpful/wanted an increased fare, etc. Is he self employed or does he work for a taxi firm? Might it be worth an informal conversation with his boss, if nothing else so they can 'advise' him (how to not be creepy) or in case they've had complaints from other people about him?
Yes it is. My alarms went off after he kept insisting about my home address so I think anything he did after that would have felt tinged with creepiness.

Works for a taxi firm, one of the biggest/well known in this area. It’s so awkward though isn’t it, saying “I felt…” is equally subjective and also minimises the situation.

OP posts:
SallyCinnabon · 08/06/2021 18:27

I dunno either way he knows where u work now so keep eye out

Um, thanks? 🤣

OP posts:
Kiki275 · 08/06/2021 18:40

I know others might frown upon this but could your DP report it for you, so that it was less "feelings" orientated and more factual?
Ie. I wanted to report some driver behaviour which concerns me. Sally called me from Little Tesco, after being collected by Taxi A from work, this afternoon as she was being continually pressurised by the driver into giving out her home address. I appreciate the driver may have been trying to be friendly but with recent events over Sarah Everard for example, Sally was unnerved and I agree with her being wary. Please can we trust you advise the driver responsible accordingly?

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 08/06/2021 18:54

Always trust your instinct

Never feel bad trusting your instinct.

It doesn't matter one but if you're wrong, it could matter a hell of a lot if you ignore it.

My DP was/is a taxi driver (no work where we are, so he took on a paid job-poor love is struggling🤣)

He would say he's happy to wait for you and drop you home (ending the fare at Tesco) I'd like to think he's got more sense than to ask a lone woman where she lives, but if it's near our little Tesco, he might as we used to live there are to him, an address isn't that big a deal (as he's picking people up from home all day!) but he has some awareness of asking these things! He's very helpful & wouldn't want you to think it was too much trouble for him to wait for a few minutes while you shop then drop you home (because he'll only be waiting fir the next call anyway). I'd like to think he'd never make anyone feel uncomfortable.

So he may have just genuinely been helpful etc but if you felt even the tiniest bit uncomfortable you did the right thing!! I've certainly had my share of discomfort in taxis pre DP when I used to get home late at night from work, or going out! Mostly, funnily enough, home from the station late after work!

Not sure there's much point in reporting it tbh, but no harm either!!

LoopTheLoops · 08/06/2021 20:31

I wouldn’t report but yes it sounds creepy

legotruck · 08/06/2021 20:33

I would see that as his attempt to extend the job, a wait and drop home is worth more to him than simply dropping you at Tesco

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/06/2021 20:39

Surely you wouldn’t be insured unless you booked a new journey from little Tesco to your house with the operator?

FlossieTeacakesFurCoat18 · 08/06/2021 20:52

It does sound creepy - offering to give you a lift home COULD be innocent but it's compounded by him wanting you to drive around with him for wifi when there was a cash machine nearby.

It might be worth reporting - maybe leave it a few days so it's not obvious to him that it was you - just in case he does the same again with anyone in future.

legotruck · 08/06/2021 21:02

@OnTheBoardwalk

Surely you wouldn’t be insured unless you booked a new journey from little Tesco to your house with the operator?

This is absolute nonsense.

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/06/2021 21:09

Eh?

Unless it’s a black cab or the driver kept his meter running as the one job of course they wouldn’t be insured for a new pick up to a different final location. They wouldn’t be insured

Musntgrumble2021 · 08/06/2021 21:22

Well done for trusting your instincts rather than overriding them for the sake of politeness. Hard to do. It might be worth logging it with the police just in case they have other information. Not sure if they would do that. He might have been concerned for your safety of course but I think if you get that feeling that it’s not safe then it’s good to listen to it.

So impressive you were able to think so clearly. Not sure I’d do so well!

legotruck · 08/06/2021 21:32

@OnTheBoardwalk

Eh?

Unless it’s a black cab or the driver kept his meter running as the one job of course they wouldn’t be insured for a new pick up to a different final location. They wouldn’t be insured

That's not how it works. The taxi is insured for whoever drives it just like a car. Unless it's a private hire it does not need to be booked through an office and even if it was a Private hire picking up when not pre booked the insurance would pay out any claim from the passenger or third party.

RonObvious · 08/06/2021 21:40

It might be worth reporting. His behaviour made you feel very nervous and uncomfortable, and, even if it was innocent, he should really be made aware of that. But it does sound very odd to me.

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/06/2021 21:42

legotruck so from what I can see it’s a private hire and they all have a warning on the side of the car saying not insured if not booked through an operator. If I got in an uninsured taxi with no pre booking who would pay my claim?

Private Hire
This covers taxi drivers who are only licensed to carry pre-arranged passengers who have booked through a licensed operator. Private hire insurance does not cover drivers for ‘hailed’ fares or pick-ups that have not been pre-arranged. This includes limousines, minicabs, chauffeured vehicles and corporate pick-ups (such as airports) etc.

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/06/2021 21:45

Trust your gut

SallyCinnabon I’d report him for suggesting the unsolicited additional journey. Drivers have been prosecuted for this

TheCreationOfDistance · 08/06/2021 21:47

Report him. Overfamiliar, inappropriate, and unprofessionally.

I had vvvv similar once - “Do you live down there? You know you are really rather sexy”

I left my expensive sunglasses in a panic but more importantly, he made me feel vulnerable and harassed. Don’t stand for it.

legotruck · 08/06/2021 21:47

so from what I can see it’s a private hire

Where do you see that? I have missed it?

If I got in an uninsured taxi with no pre booking who would pay my claim?

Taxis are licensed to ply for hire. A taxi is always insured to carry passengers.

A private hire vehicle is slightly more tricky but as a passenger, if the driver is simply picking you up an an extra job because you are there, you are at no risk. Also, even if the vehicle in the OP is a private hire, once booked they are allowed to take you to a different destination or extend the journey as you choose. The only thing they cannot do is sit on a rank or be flagged (pick up on the street)

legotruck · 08/06/2021 21:49

@OnTheBoardwalk

Trust your gut

SallyCinnabon I’d report him for suggesting the unsolicited additional journey. Drivers have been prosecuted for this

Nobody is going to be prosecuted for making a suggestion. That's not how the law works. Taxi drivers will often ask a passenger things to try and get extra work. 'How are you getting back later?' 'Oh I could take you there after your shopping' - it's basic business and not an offence.

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