To wonder 'why' men actually do this?

[BranchingOut]

Yesterday I was walking up to my local shops, pushing the pram with my nine month old baby. It was a hot afternoon and I was strolling along in a long summer skirt and white linen top. Nothing I was doing, wearing or carrying was in any way out of the ordinary.

Suddenly a white van went past and out of the open window a man stuck his head out, yelled "Pikey!" at me, then carried on his way.

I was so astounded that I actually looked around to see if there was anyone else he was yelling at - but the street was quiet.

Now I am old enough and wise enough for this not to upset me, but I am mystified as to:

How he could make a snap judgement about me, having only seen my back, while travelling at 30 mph, then get himself together to lean out and shout the appropriate word in time?

What actually goes through someone's mind when they decide to do this?

Why is it always men and never women? I have never been randomly abused by a woman from a car window, whereas a man once even shouted "Move your silly cu*t" when I wasn't crossing the road fast enough for his liking!

because he's bigger than you.

And that, sadly, is the only real reason. he's bigger than you. You would not have said a WORD if you had been walking along with a man/ "real person"

Sorry, HE would not have said a word.

Because his brain is incapable of formulating anything that makes sense.

'How he could make a snap judgement about me, having only seen my back, while travelling at 30 mph, then get himself together to lean out and shout the appropriate word in time?'

This just made me snort my coffee out of my nose at my desk.

Really should be doing some work..

"What actually goes through someone's mind when they decide to do this?"

You are crediting him with too much. There is no thought process. In actual fact, what was going through his head was something like:

LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALA

Or just the sound of a car alarm.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

sprogger - you have some high-quality twats round your way!

Cowardly men, when encased in a van, believe this renders them exempt from the requirements of a civilised society. His van is the 'Embassy of Arsehole'... a patch of foreign soil on wheels where he can fart, pick his nose, play very bad music very loudly, cut up cyclists at traffic lights and scream abuse at anyone that displeases.

I expect he's lovely to his mum...

Try being a red head some time... Sigh. White Van Man is apparently convinced that I remain unaware of my own hair colour and that it is incredibly amusing and original to drive by screaming, "Ginga!" or "Ginge-minge!" at me.

I had a workman at the traffic lights(outside a school ffs) practically lean in my window and shout "I'd love to blow my load over those bad boys" about my boobs .

Thanks to my mumsnet pals I've learnt some choice phrases and I retorted "jog on yer big fat cuntychops" before squealing off....

God that felt good. He wasn't even fat, but I thought I'd just try that male way of making someone feel inadequate.

From his expression in the rear view mirror it seemed to hit the spot.....

OOOH Dittany, can't wait till judgement day when all the white van men get what's coming.

I was pulling out of a terrible junction last week, where you have to inch forward,when you think it's clear have a look as you can't see till half way into the road, stop if it's not ok, then go when it's clear. Normally people let you out if they can, but not WVM! He pulled his van up really close so I couldn't move, got out, poked his head right in my face (soft top was down) told me to 'fucking reverse or I'll ram you, you silly bitch', got back in his van and revved his engine hard. I had children in the car so didn't want confrontation so reversed.

I did manage to get GD to take a photo of the back of the van from behind and got the number. I rang the Police who said it wasn't really an offence

I saw the van outside a local pub last weekend, so we're going to stake it out this weekend, and if he's there will watch what he drinks, and if he has more than a couple of pints will report him for drink driving.

Or should I just let it go?

Sprogger ? hee hee! ? good posts - it?s not often that I laugh out aloud

The only good thing about moving house is if you get to drive a big white van.

Nah olderandwise, just write "This man is an abusive twat with a very small penis" in the dust on his van. Given the noted male blindness for dirt, it will probably be weeks before he notices it.

oldernowiser do it but be careful. I had WVM chase me, cut me up and then slam on his brakes every 100 yards to try and get me to run into him on Vauxhall Bridge one morning. I took a pic of the van and drove straight to Paddington Green police station. I fell crying into this lovely coppers arms, I was so scared and shaken.

When they checked the plates he was well dodgy. Done for customs fraud and loads of other ABH, GBH etc. (Wasn't supposed to see screen but had a peek). They went round to have a word but that was all they could do. Made me feel better, but if I'd have gotten out and approached him he could have really hurt me.

Tragic thing is he was probably speeding home to watch the football childish prick. Bet he wouldn't want his wife and kids to be treated like that....

Slug's suggestion is the correct one.

Will take large husband, even larger son, and disguises if we do stake him out. (although then I will have to make sure they don't dish out summary justice in the gents) I'm so pissed off I didn't stand up to him but I'm liking the small penis graffiti idea!

I was moving house and went to Avis to see if I could hire a white van.

I was taken aback when I had to fill out a form containing a lot of really personal questions.

What is your IQ?
a: 50-60
b: 60-70
c: 70-80

Which immigrant group do you hate most?
a: Muslims
b: Africans
c: Gingers

How many women have you verbally assaulted this week?
a: 10-20
b: more than 20
c: I can't count

I failed the test and had to choose another colour.

'OOOH Dittany, can't wait till judgement day when all the white van men get what's coming.'

Before this turns into a WVM bashing, please remember there are some WVM who aren't knuckleheads! DH is a WVM and is also a very considerate driver.

Maybe consider that some of these men are just doing a job to bring the pennies home and what vehicle they drive has no bearing on the kind of person they are...

Rant over

love "cuntychops" as an insult, making mental note to use it at first appropriate juncture! I see quite a few confrontations right outside my door. although its a very quiet village, a couple of hours a day it gets busy and because inconsiderate people like me park outside their house the road is narrowed to one lane and people have to wait and take turns to go through. Most days there is some nose to nose huffing and puffing but when it rises to actual shouting it is ALWAYS wvm abusing a woman driver. I've also had abuse if I have been in the process of getting on or out of my car or getting DS out and holding to hold up the traffic for a whole 10 seconds! Cuntychops indeed ;)

The correct response in these circumstances is to say nothing but assume an expression of rather long-suffering sympathy for the poor man's inadequacy whilst raising your right hand with all fingers curled round - except the little one which you waggle in acknowledgement of the fact that he would have no need for this behaviour if it weren't for the fact that he has a truly microscopic penis...

Is there any way that George Osborne could abolish WVM as part of the austerity measures?