Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Skidding Car - friend's husband today "couldn't resist the opportunity"

544 replies

alwaysmovingforwards · 05/11/2022 19:02

Sorry, bit of a long one..

I flew back to the UK today and my friend's husband had kindly agreed to give me a lift home from the airport. Such a lovely gesture - saves me either a hefty taxi bill or 2+hrs on public transport. My friend lives close to me and her husband owns companies on the industrial estates near the airport , so he's always doing that route. I get on really well with both of them and their family, they're all lovely people, seem very happy and lead a very nice lifestyle. It was my friend who made the offer and we arranged a couple of weeks ago, he then followed up on text to say it's no problem just let him flight details etc which I did.

Anyway, we arranged for me to get the airport bus 10mins to the long stay carpark to avoid the airport fees, which makes sense. So I get there and he arrives shortly after. It's a massive carpark and pretty much empty so he pulls up right next to the little shelter thing, we say hi, he gives me a hand putting my bag in the boot and I get in and buckle up. As we pull away I'm saying thank you and was about to ask how everyone is, but he's smiling and says "sorry, just can't resist the opportunity..."

He then accelerates his car really quickly, turns and the whole car starts skidding sideways! The engine sounds incredibly loud and must be revving right up to full power and we're literally sliding on the wet carpark in a big circle, totally terrifying. I don't know if he was in control because the steering wheel was moving around quickly but didn't seem to correlate with the direction of the car. It's one of the most shocking things I've ever experienced and I don't like roller coasters etc.

He then slows, chuckles "just couldn't resist it" again and calmly drives to the barriers, exits smoothly towards the motorway, puts the radio on and then casually starts asking how my trip was.. as if that whole thing didn't happen! I tried to speak on the way home, to be polite and make small talk, but in all honesty I was feeling very ill and my legs were shaky 40mins later when he dropped me off.

Should I tell my friend what an abolosute idiot her husband actually is? On one had I really appreciate the gesture of giving me a lift and value our friendship, but on the other this was an incredibly dangerous and shocking incident she should be aware of.

It's so weird, because up until now I thought he was a really nice guy. But I just can't see him in the same way any more. I know he likes fast cars because she's told me that the stables at their house have been converted into garages and he has various cars in there. I've been in the car with him before and he's been a really good confident driver, very safe and smooth. He's in his early 50s FFS!

To make matters worse, I called my parents when home to say hi after my trip. I spoke to my Dad as even though he's in his 70s, he knows lots about cars and I explained what happened and he sort of laughed and said "well, once every now and again, why not eh..."
Seriously WTF?!?

So AIBU to be so shocked and upset by this? I still feel nauseous now.

Or is there a weird parallel universe I've just discovered where respectable, responsible, grown arse men with kids and wives and businesses, that should know better, see it as perfectly acceptable to be doing skidding and sliding and loud engine revving in their cars?

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock1 · 05/11/2022 21:14

I wouldn't like the surprise either OP.

fannyfartlet · 05/11/2022 21:15

Babasghost · 05/11/2022 19:58

He's an arsehole, endangering you.
Fuck him.
He could have done his bullshit without you in the car.
Total ego maniac.
I'd have given him a peice of my mind and got a taxi

How has he endangered her you drama queen?

Vaccine001 · 05/11/2022 21:16

Sigh. Do him and favour and don't speak to him again.

onlythreenow · 05/11/2022 21:16

I can understand you being a bit frightened at the time, but your reaction is very OTT. Especially this bit "It's so weird, because up until now I thought he was a really nice guy. But I just can't see him in the same way any more." He hasn't stopped being a nice guy just because he did a donut in an empty car park, and he obviously had control of the car, even if it didn't seem like that to you.

lifeinthehills · 05/11/2022 21:23

I've never been in a car where someone did something like that, but I know I wouldn't appreciate it. My concern would be that they lose control of the car with me in it. I wouldn't be getting in a car with him again.

I'm a bit surprised at the relaxed reaction here. Would everyone be as relaxed if he'd had their kid in their car at the time?

romdowa · 05/11/2022 21:24

Yanbu. I'm a very nervous passenger and If he'd have pulled that stunt with me in the car. I'd have gotten out and made my own way .

ILIWYS · 05/11/2022 21:25

He sounds like a complete and utter childish twat and I'm with you OP, I'd think he was a complete arse and I'm surprised at the voting percentages. Also never heard of a "donut" in the sense of driving in my life!

whynotwhatknot · 05/11/2022 21:28

he cold have at least warned you first id have vomited all over his lovely car-and ots probavly at least 5 pounds they give you ten minutes then it goes up

Stephy1886 · 05/11/2022 21:31

DoctorManhattan · 05/11/2022 21:12

I’ve had all manner of fast cars over the years and done plenty of donuts and drifting at trackdays, however I would never do it with a person in my car who clearly isn’t a speed enthusiast or into cars in the way that I am. So I think he was out of order in that regard.

However, I also think your reaction was way ott.

Exactly.
if I’ve no idea if the person is a nervous passenger I certainly won’t put the boot down or drive spirited

fannyfartlet · 05/11/2022 21:32

lifeinthehills · 05/11/2022 21:23

I've never been in a car where someone did something like that, but I know I wouldn't appreciate it. My concern would be that they lose control of the car with me in it. I wouldn't be getting in a car with him again.

I'm a bit surprised at the relaxed reaction here. Would everyone be as relaxed if he'd had their kid in their car at the time?

They were in an empty carpark. What do you think might happen?

lifeinthehills · 05/11/2022 21:34

fannyfartlet · 05/11/2022 21:32

They were in an empty carpark. What do you think might happen?

The skid goes out of control and they end up hitting a fence, or pole, or something? What if you hit a slippery patch and lose traction? I have no personal experience of this sort of thing, I admit.

MaxTalk · 05/11/2022 21:35

The guy is a legend and you need to not be so upright - we have all done it at some point.

What car was it?

Butwhybecause · 05/11/2022 21:36

Ginglymostomatidae · 05/11/2022 19:07

Did you die though?

😂😂😂

MaxTalk · 05/11/2022 21:36

lifeinthehills · 05/11/2022 21:34

The skid goes out of control and they end up hitting a fence, or pole, or something? What if you hit a slippery patch and lose traction? I have no personal experience of this sort of thing, I admit.

The airbag goes off and you get into a taxi. Don't think anyone would get hurt at such low speeds..

lifeinthehills · 05/11/2022 21:37

MaxTalk · 05/11/2022 21:36

The airbag goes off and you get into a taxi. Don't think anyone would get hurt at such low speeds..

To each their own but I'd rather not take the risk. :-)

ShandaLear · 05/11/2022 21:38

Did he try to shag you though?

Simplelife1 · 05/11/2022 21:40

Why did him saying that he couldn't resist the opportunity "resonate" with you ?

autienotnaughty · 05/11/2022 21:41

I'm with you it would have scared me and made me feel ill. Not appropriate to do with a passenger who isn't expecting it. I get car sick and I have a herniated disc and I've been in car accidents so am a bit cautious in a car. I probably would say something to his oh but I wouldn't make a big deal about it but I would not accept a lift again.

CaptainThe95thRifles · 05/11/2022 21:42

He sounds terrific, and you sound like you need to lighten up - a lot!

LargeglassofRosePlease · 05/11/2022 21:43

MaxTalk · 05/11/2022 21:35

The guy is a legend and you need to not be so upright - we have all done it at some point.

What car was it?

😁😂

WhereYouLeftIt · 05/11/2022 21:50

Ooh, that takes me back to my teens - handbrake turns in the empty car-park of an industrial estateGrin.

Other than shouting "A bit of fucking warning would be nice John!!" as I clung on, - I'd probably have quite enjoyed this.

MaxTalk · 05/11/2022 21:53

ShandaLear · 05/11/2022 21:38

Did he try to shag you though?

Why would he do that? Donuts are far more fun..

Hawkins001 · 05/11/2022 21:53

Basically some drifting. I understand it's not everyone's cuppa, all the best op.

WrongWayApricot · 05/11/2022 22:03

😂 Come on

Crazymama86 · 05/11/2022 22:04

What's his number and where's the car park. Sounds like great fun!