AIBU?
To expect to be picked up from the station?
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!
Brefugee · 27/09/2022 21:24
calling a taxi to take you 15 minutes down the road.
Unhinged.
Thanks - I'm fine. I'm petty, not unhinged. And if i was schlepping 3 hours to visit my mum who asked me to visit because she can't be alone for a few days, too bloody right she would be picking me up. OP said it's difficult to get taxis. I live in such a town - so much so that i have completely written them out of any of my plans, so I know what that's like.
But you do you.
Idunnowhatsgoingon · 27/09/2022 21:25
I'd be raging too.
And taxis are very hard to get in places. We booked a taxi to get us home after a wedding in May. Nothing appeared. No answer to the company or the other local company. Waited hours. Hotel was trying to lock up. Had to leave and start wandering round trying to find one to flag down as no other way to get home. Never did get a text to say it had turned up...
CurlyhairedAssassin · 27/09/2022 21:32
Longdistance · 27/09/2022 21:26
Is there any point in you actually being there? She’s had the neighbour round and is pissed up. She’s clearly not on her own or lonely.
That’s why I asked earlier on if in fact her mum DID outright ask her to go and stay with her or is this just something OP assumes she should do as a daughter’s duty or something.
SpidersAreShitheads · 27/09/2022 21:39
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.
I agree entirely @CurlyhairedAssassin. it’s about manners and also wanting to make sure single women travelling alone are safe and not hanging around in the dark. But having said that I would do it for a male relative too. Can’t understand why you wouldn’t….
SwapPlaces · 28/09/2022 00:51
I’m pleased she picked you up.
I imagine that it was not that you were expecting to be picked up as a tit for tat ‘favour’ but that so much of what is lovely about travelling to see someone is being picked up and having a hug and a kiss and excited chatter on the way home - especially if you haven’t seen your mum for a while.
I hope you both have a wonderful few days together.
VroomVrooom · 28/09/2022 05:08
I read threads like this and wonder whether people:
- have terrible relationships with friends and family (don’t like them, and aren’t liked by them)
- just like being difficult on purpose because it’s MN / AIBU
- really are just horrible, miserable people
If my child or parent was coming to stay with me to keep me company otherwise I’d be alone, I’d pick them up from the station.
Most normal people would.
MarianneOnAMotorcycle · 28/09/2022 06:00
You sound like a stroppy teenager. And visiting your mum is "doing her a favour"?
Many older people don't feel confident driving after dark. In any case be a grown-up next time and arrange your own transport. And arrive with a big bunch of flowers for her!
FoxyLoxSox · 28/09/2022 06:47
eurochick · 28/09/2022 06:34
How is using a taxi for a 15 minute journey unhinged? If you are talking about 30 mph roads that could be around 7 miles. Or double that on faster roads. Definitely not walkable after a work day and a three hour train journey.
It isn’t, annoyingly that poster didn’t quote what I said properly. I said turning round in a strop and going home would be unhinged, rather than just pre book a taxi.
user1471457751 · 28/09/2022 07:00
I'm glad you got it sorted OP.
I think a lot of posters here probably haven't tried to book a taxi recently. There is a shortage in lots of places. Pre-booking doesn't guarantee a taxi will show up and it definitely doesn't mean it will show up on time. Last week I had to wait almost 30 minutes after the time I had booked for and someone next to me was waiting even longer. That would be shit after a 3 hour journey to do someone a favour. It's got nothing to do with being independent.
MrsMontyD · 28/09/2022 07:01
MarianneOnAMotorcycle · 28/09/2022 06:00
You sound like a stroppy teenager. And visiting your mum is "doing her a favour"?
Many older people don't feel confident driving after dark. In any case be a grown-up next time and arrange your own transport. And arrive with a big bunch of flowers for her!
We don't know the OPs mother is an older person, lots of PPs think the OP sounds young. Even if the OP is in her 30s her mother might only be in her 50s.
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