Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to complain about this taxi driver?

31 replies

Genericusers · 14/07/2023 13:21

Taxi driver picked me up. Conversation started normal, just a little nosy about work etc. But then he commented that I look "very very good" for having kids. Asked if I had a partner or was single. If he made enough money. I wanted to say something but I didn't want to anger him.

He also watched me go in the house despite me telling him to drop me several houses down. Maybe a coincidence but they usually just rev off the second I get out.

It wasn't uber, just a local taxi firm with an app

Am I being too sensitive?

OP posts:
Kimchikitchen · 14/07/2023 13:23

Leave a poor review
because their vetting is shite

and they won’t do anything about it

Jongleterre · 14/07/2023 13:26

I thought everyone just made up a fantasy life for these occasions.

Yeah, my husband and son are martial arts instructors etc etc

Duckafuk · 14/07/2023 13:27

Report the creepy git .

Elephantinasandstorm · 14/07/2023 13:29

The chat is way too personal but my taxis always waited until I got in. Apparently it's their safetu too because if they dropped me off and someone jumped me by the door they would be a suspect

TGNW25 · 14/07/2023 13:33

If you have the driver details you could contact your local authority taxi licensing team.

They also play a safeguarding role snd they may have intelligence about this driver and his behaviour with other customers

Missingmyusername · 14/07/2023 13:34

I would’ve said yes YABU. But in this day and age- 😫who knows! Better to be safe than sorry. Leaving a bad review won’t help, he will just be more careful next time.

Creeps gonna creep. 😒

Blinkinbloodyhayfever · 14/07/2023 13:47

If he thinks this is acceptable conversation then he is in the wrong job. Report to council licensing.

WildUnchartedWaters · 16/07/2023 22:30

Yanbu on the conversation but drivers usually watch til you get in as PP.said.

SweetSakura · 16/07/2023 22:33

Definitely report. The rules around taxi driver behaviour are really strict for good reason. And sometimes it can take a few corroborating reports to build up enough of a picture to take action

SweetSakura · 16/07/2023 22:34

Kimchikitchen · 14/07/2023 13:23

Leave a poor review
because their vetting is shite

and they won’t do anything about it

This isnt correct, at least not in my area.

WildUnchartedWaters · 16/07/2023 22:36

SweetSakura · 16/07/2023 22:34

This isnt correct, at least not in my area.

Show quote history

Nor here.

Allmyghosts · 16/07/2023 22:38

Taxi drivers around here need enhanced dbs checks, not that it weeds out all the weirdos, honestly have had so many bizarre ones, too poor to take them now (got to take the silver linings where you find them).

Busybusybee96 · 16/07/2023 23:19

I've had creepy taxi man encounters..twice with 2 different men

One of them who's in his late 50s and has known me since I was 10 used the number I phoned the taxi on to start texting me 🤢

The other one didn't start off weird but gradually got weird..he'd park up when he seen me walking through the streets and insist on giving me free lifts and doing that with all the questions gave me the ick so I avoided him, I knew what taxi ranks he'd usually park in and avoid those areas and he seen me one day and and started confronting me about why he hasn't seen me around town lately and I haven't been getting his taxis..I had to get straight to the point and tell him to f off 🤣

This is why I'm so glad I've past my test now. I've always felt weird getting them on my own. Even on trains and buses it's just as bad with the creepy men. Some people shouldn't be let out alone. 🤣

SweetSakura · 16/07/2023 23:31

@Busybusybee96 (and others) you really must report. That's why it's made nice and easy to spot their licence plate number. If you don't report we can't weed out the dodgy drivers

Crikeyalmighty · 16/07/2023 23:41

I'm afraid I had this twice when I lived in stAlbans- once commented that my top was 'a bit low cut' and another said something similarly iffy. We were moving the next week and I didn't want any hassle if I reported- I forgot to do so in the aftermath of moving. My husband was furious when I told him

Catsmere · 17/07/2023 00:03

Fuck, I haven't had that level of creepiness from a taxi driver in years. Definitely report him. That's essentially sexual harassment in my book.

Sparkleshine21 · 17/07/2023 00:18

I get this a lot, asking if I’m single, my last taxi driver told me to take my hat off because I looked too good in it and it was making him nervous?! Absolute weirdos. I just nod and smile then move on with my day but it is interesting that its this weird treatment and comments we are supposed to just accept from men.

LanaL · 17/07/2023 00:35

Yes , call and let the company know your concerns .
I worked in taxi offices for 17 years and on the whole the taxi drivers were lovely, caring people . Then sometimes there were some drivers who were genuinely lovely , friendly people trying to make conversation and there is a bit of a language barrier and it could come across as intrusive but it’s actually really not - we would sometimes have calls about drivers like this and we know them personally so we knew that they were genuine lovely people but at the same time could understand why people might feel uncomfortable.

There are lots of checks made by private hire companies, people don’t really understand how in depth the process is - there are background checks , CRBs etc - but you need to remember that all these checks show is wether someone has been caught for doing something . Technically as a passenger you are quite safe - in the sense that the control room track you , they know where the driver is live all the time. However , if someone has it in them to do something bad then that probably won’t stop them. I would say always report if it doesn’t feel right. The company need to hear these things .

One of the first companies I worked at , about 15 years ago , there was a driver who I just found a bit odd. I couldn’t put my finger on it but something was weird - I had a slight incident with this driver when he took me on a journey and he was spoken to. A few months later the police came and seized his car , we never saw him again and later heard he had been charged with rape of a passenger .

I hope you are ok xx

Bunny44 · 17/07/2023 01:14

I don't know. Some people just make conversation like this without really thinking so often depends on the tone. Waiting till you go in - I've had drivers who do this at night as a concern for my safety which I actually appreciate as I live down a poorly lit street in a city.

Singlespies · 17/07/2023 06:49

You should report. This kind of conversation is inappropriate and other female passengers may suffer. Remember John Worboys.

readingrocks · 17/07/2023 08:13

The conversation is bang out of order. Report that aspect. As for waiting till you get in - mine normally do - for my safety but I get the point that after the kind of conversation you had it seemed inappropriate. General taxi hints: If being picked up, wave back at your windows (as if there is someone there). If you know you will be returning alone to a dark home leave some lights on/set a timer. If asked about private life just invent away, your husband/brother is waiting up for you, your sons are home. It's absolutely crap we have to behave like that but anything to make you feel safer...

StellaJohanna · 17/07/2023 08:48

I wouldn't give it a second thought.

wendyjoy · 17/07/2023 10:49

I'm 64 and overweight ( yes l dress nice and wear makeup) I'm disabled and use a walking stick.. if l had a pound for every time a taxi driver has " hit"on me I'd be super rich.
Got to point where l stopped reporting because nothing was ever done.Happens to my daughters all the time..and one is Gay but the taxi drivers still try it on.

Curtains70 · 17/07/2023 10:57

I've read that twice. I can't see anything to report. Over familiar chat maybe? I wouldn't give it a second thought.

I've been in loads of taxis that wait for me to go in the house.

THEDEACON · 17/07/2023 15:18

Contact company and licensing office atCouncil