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 expect to be picked up from the station?

96 replies

drunkinthebackofthecar · 27/09/2022 19:26

I’m visiting my Mum for a few days whilst my Dad is away, getting a train late this evening and getting in around 9.30pm. They live 15mins outside of a medium-sized town where there are taxis and Ubers but recently they have been unreliable. This morning I told my Mum what train I was getting and asked if she could make sure she didn’t have a drink this evening so she could pick me up if I couldn’t get a taxi, otherwise I’ll be completely stuck.

I just phoned her to say I was on the train and she said her neighbour had popped round. I reminded to only have one drink so she could pick me up, and she said she wouldn’t do that and getting a taxi will be fine. I’m furious. Half of a mind to turn around and go back to my house and my husband - I’m mostly doing her a favour so she isn’t on her own this week!

OP posts:
YaWeeFurryBastard · 27/09/2022 20:21

mamabear715 · 27/09/2022 19:36

@drunkinthebackofthecar Tbh I'd be bloody furious. It's ONE EVENING, surely she could have waited? I feel very sorry for you. :-(
(I'm a non driver so I know what it's like trying to get taxis.)

This has got to be a wind up! A non-driver annoyed someone else won’t give them a lift 🤔

Mix56 · 27/09/2022 20:21

Excellent idea re popping into the pib while waiting for taxi.
You need a lifter upper (sic)

ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 27/09/2022 20:21

How old are you? You sound quite young. It'd be nice if your mum picked you up but, no, she shouldn't have to.

DPotter · 27/09/2022 20:22

We don't have uber here and often there's just one taxi working in the town, covering the station and pre-bookings.

Some parts of the country simply don't have even a half decent taxi service and as for buses - well I've heard of them obviously, seen then in films and on TV etc, but a local service - nope. Local council always banging on about reducing car usage but there is no alternative. Local bus service recently pulled the 8.20am bus into the main town which is 30 mins away, leaving only the 7.20am or 9.20am.

Ask your Mum to book the taxi on priniciple

EmmaH2022 · 27/09/2022 20:22

YaWee are you on a wind up or have you misunderstood?

Shiningstarr · 27/09/2022 20:22

No you wouldn't. You would do what any grown up person would do and get a taxi.

No, I absolutely wouldn't.

EmmaH2022 · 27/09/2022 20:23

ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 27/09/2022 20:21

How old are you? You sound quite young. It'd be nice if your mum picked you up but, no, she shouldn't have to.

Okay

some people really have got the wrong end of the stick

or I have.

Angelinflipflops · 27/09/2022 20:30

What's wrong with getting a taxi? Be independent

EnormousStuffedMarrow · 27/09/2022 20:36

@YaWeeFurryBastard
People are non-drivers for all sorts of reasons...medical, disability...

It sounds like you think @mamabear715 doesn't drive because she can't be bothered. Not necessarily the case.

longcoffeebreak · 27/09/2022 20:36

I'd be fuming - how ridiculous - can she not see her neighbour without drinking ffs

Shiningstarr · 27/09/2022 20:37

Angelinflipflops · 27/09/2022 20:30

What's wrong with getting a taxi? Be independent

If you read the op properly, you'll see getting taxis are difficult in her area.

Shiningstarr · 27/09/2022 20:37

longcoffeebreak · 27/09/2022 20:36

I'd be fuming - how ridiculous - can she not see her neighbour without drinking ffs

Probably can't resist a drink. Some people just can't say no to alcohol.

EnormousStuffedMarrow · 27/09/2022 20:38

DPotter · 27/09/2022 20:22

We don't have uber here and often there's just one taxi working in the town, covering the station and pre-bookings.

Some parts of the country simply don't have even a half decent taxi service and as for buses - well I've heard of them obviously, seen then in films and on TV etc, but a local service - nope. Local council always banging on about reducing car usage but there is no alternative. Local bus service recently pulled the 8.20am bus into the main town which is 30 mins away, leaving only the 7.20am or 9.20am.

Ask your Mum to book the taxi on priniciple

Sounds just like where I live. Nightmare.

Original poster
drunkinthebackofthecar · 27/09/2022 20:39

Update: she just phoned me and told me she’d pick me up. I knew I wasn’t be unreasonable and clearly she knew as well! Didn’t even have to do any passive aggressive sighing when I arrived 😂

OP posts:
properdoughnut · 27/09/2022 20:42

Shes put booze ahead of you. I'd go back home.

SirDavidAttenborough · 27/09/2022 20:45

drunkinthebackofthecar · 27/09/2022 20:39

Update: she just phoned me and told me she’d pick me up. I knew I wasn’t be unreasonable and clearly she knew as well! Didn’t even have to do any passive aggressive sighing when I arrived 😂

So you’d prefer she drink drives rather than getting an Uber?!

diddl · 27/09/2022 20:46

So you're doing her a favour & she can't even be bothered to collect you?

She's not feeling guilty-otherwise she'd forgo the drink!

I'd probably cut the visit short!

diddl · 27/09/2022 20:47

drunkinthebackofthecar · 27/09/2022 20:39

Update: she just phoned me and told me she’d pick me up. I knew I wasn’t be unreasonable and clearly she knew as well! Didn’t even have to do any passive aggressive sighing when I arrived 😂

Hopefully she hasn't been drinking!

SunshineLoving · 27/09/2022 20:48

Wow. Her behaviour was strange and not nice. If I was going to stay with my mum in the same situation as you, she would definitely come and meet me because the whole point of the trip is to spend time together. She'd only not come if she'd already got something planned. She'd pick me up and we'd go back to hers and have some wine.

No idea tbh why she wouldn't meet you and it's not nice that she was happy for you to find your way there in the dark.

I'm glad she changed her mind. See it as a lapse of judgement on her part and enjoy your stay with her.

Original poster
drunkinthebackofthecar · 27/09/2022 20:51

@SirDavidAttenborough she said she’d had one small glass of wine, I completely believe her. She would never drink and drive, especially not just for this.

OP posts:
SirDavidAttenborough · 27/09/2022 20:54

drunkinthebackofthecar · 27/09/2022 20:51

@SirDavidAttenborough she said she’d had one small glass of wine, I completely believe her. She would never drink and drive, especially not just for this.

That’s still drink driving. Under the blood alcohol limit but still drink driving.

Atmorning · 27/09/2022 20:55

My mum doesn't drink but she also wouldn't pick me up in this scenario either. My mum and dad have never really been ones to give me lifts or collect me from anywhere even when I was younger, so this wouldnt bother me. I wouldnt expect it and i wouldnt ask. But my mum always had £20 in the hall table drawer so that I could always pay for a taxi if I needed one and didn't have money on me for whatever reason.

SpidersAreShitheads · 27/09/2022 20:58

Atmorning · 27/09/2022 20:55

My mum doesn't drink but she also wouldn't pick me up in this scenario either. My mum and dad have never really been ones to give me lifts or collect me from anywhere even when I was younger, so this wouldnt bother me. I wouldnt expect it and i wouldnt ask. But my mum always had £20 in the hall table drawer so that I could always pay for a taxi if I needed one and didn't have money on me for whatever reason.

Not even when the only reason you need a lift is because you’re doing them a favour and you’re not sure there will be any taxis/Ubers around??

CurlyhairedAssassin · 27/09/2022 21:13

I was brought up a bit different to some of you, I think. If someone was making the effort to come to visit our family and was getting the train or plane, then someone would pick them up from the station, no question. (also about 15 mins away, like the OP). We saw it as part of being good hosts, the same way you’d offer a cup of tea the second they came through the door.

and I’ve never stayed at anyone’s house and not been extended the same courtesy too. I wouldn’t want any friend of family of mine hanging round a dark and quiet station at night that they’d never been to before, particularly a woman on their own. I’ve been in dark station car parks before on my own waiting for a taxi and you can feel quite vulnerable if there are any dodgy-looking characters who appear.

Lindy2 · 27/09/2022 21:15

I'd always go and collect a visiting friend or relative from the station. Surely that's what you do when you're welcoming guests to your home.

I'm glad she did come and get your OP. You had every right to feel let down that she almost didn't.

Drinking should wait until you've safely been collected. It's a question of priorities and anyone who prioritises alcohol over their child, hasn't got their priorities in the right order.