Pettiness?

bar32

Technically, I know I was wrong according to the rules of the road but just wanted to see what other ppl think.

Basically I pulled into the bus lane 30 yards before a left turn because cars were beginning to queue at the traffic lights ahead to turn left. Between the point I pulled into the bus lane and the left turn at the traffic lights there is another traffic light/pedestrian crossing to facilitate a school.

As I pulled into the bus lane (no more than 3 car lengths from the school light), the traffic lights at the school turned red and the lollipop lady walked out onto the road. I stopped at the crossing with the window open, minding my own business. I then hear a voice shout at me "You're in the bus lane!". It was a man in his 40's crossing the road at the crossing. I just said "I'm turning left at the next turn." He said something I didn't really hear and I thought no more of it. Then I see him at the other side of the road taking my reg number. I shout across to him "You're being very petty." He said something smart alecy so I shout "Jeez you're being a bit of a b*l*x now." He then said "why don't you come over and say that to my face?" I know I shouldn't have but I pulled the handbrake and hopped over the road to him. I didn't threaten him physically and neither did he threaten me. What followed was a lot of gesticulating and heated discussion. He infuriated me further by making stupid comments such as "what gives you the right to be in the bus lane when no-one else is doing it?" I pointed to the fact that there were, at that very moment, 10 cars queued BEHIND me on the lane waiting for me to move, people who all had their indicator to turn left.. He then said "have you no consideration for the children crossing?". This made me quite militant. I said "I'm on a bus lane not running red lights, I stopped when you crossed the road didn't I??". We parted with a few choice expletives, he telling me that my "aggression does you no favours".

Just wondering what people think of this? I just felt that he was being very petty and a bit of a do gooding busy body. I didn't cover myself in glory but it just felt like I was provoked into standing up for myself.

biko

Are you waiting for me to say you were right?

bar32

No. just wondering if you thought I overreacted, was to forceful, if you side with the man. opinions lad.

You're always wrong to get out of the car really, things can escalate quickly. You defo over reacted.

Two lads in a builders van were moaning about me parking on a double yellow in a bank car park in Galway a couple of years back, there were cars everywhere (week before Christmas iirc). I was ignoring them and driving off when one of them gesticulated that I was brain dead (finger screwed to head sort of thing). To my shame I got out and asked him did he want to have a chat about it

mickdw

He told you to come over to him and say it to his face. You did and he didnt do alot about it.

You Won!

-Corkie-

Best thing to do in a case like that is keep your windows up, radio up and ignore him.

CiniO

bar32 wrote: »

Just wondering what people think of this?

We think there must be something a bit wrong with you.
You stop in the middle of the road forcing 10 cars to wait, just to make a bit of discussion with a random person about what's right and wrong?

Why didn't you just drove off straight away?

pudzey101

Pretend the guards where behind you

What would you have done in that situation then?

bar32

As I said I didn't cover myself in glory....wasn't really thinking about the cars behind to be honest, probably was 30 - 40 seconds max but that still doesn't excuse it. What pissed me off was the guys attitude and that fact that I was minding my own business while parked. In my own mind I was thinking "jeez doesn't this lad have better things to be doing than taking down reg numbers of cars in bus lanes.

bar32

fair point about the guards. then I actually don't know what would have happened. Wouldn't have got out of the car but would I have been done for being in the bus lane? I was one of many.

TroutMask

That's what Cannibal Corpse CDs are for

al28283

He won, you got aggravated!

squod

I wouldn't have bothered making a big deal. For all you know the other lad could have been slow or something.

pudzey101

bar32 wrote: »

fair point about the guards. then I actually don't know what would have happened. Wouldn't have got out of the car but would I have been done for being in the bus lane? I was one of many.

Always worked for me:) acted like they where behind me & i was late for mass and passed my test:) haha back on topic though it depends on how serious what the person says wheither you get out of the car or not:) just my opionion:)!

bladebrew

my god!
that sounds fairly serious:eek:
as long as the guy knows buses can also run over children:D, it could have been a taxi driving in the bus lane, what would he have done then?
why did he take such an interest to you driving in the bus lane?

its very easy to say now, but i wouldnt get out of the car, things can get out of hand easily,

challengemaster

Easiest way to have your car stolen anyway, hopping out of it while it's running

Not to mention there's an offence for leaving a car while it's running

johnos1984

bar32 wrote: »

No. just wondering if you thought I overreacted, was to forceful, if you side with the man. opinions lad.

I think you know you over reacted.

Having said that I have before, and without having a go, I know you feel like a right twat right now.

Learn from it, smile at these people and give them a salute and wish them a good day..............raise your middle finger and **** them off if you need to but keep smiling.

Thing is they are twats too. Just don't lower yourself as they will always assume they have been on the moral high ground no matter what you say or do.

BTW, I used to know of a local that used to do this sort of thing depending on what mood he was in (he was bipolar). Best to think that some of these serial complainers may have more going on that you making a minor infraction

btkm8unsl0w5r4

OP, there are these old duffers all over the place. There joy in life is to enforce the rules of the road, find dogs off leads, complain about children playing and generally keep victor meldrews spirit alive. They are a pain in the arse.

However you were totally out of order. You were in the wrong and then you get out and have an altercation leaving your car abandoned holding up traffic.

We all get cross when we are caught infracting a petty rule, however suck it up and move on. All you did you get yourself angry, waste your time and worst of all you wasted other peoples time all to get one up on a petty man who was correct.

650Ginge

bar32 wrote: »

Technically, I know I was wrong according to the rules of the road but just wanted to see what other ppl think.

Basically I pulled into the bus lane 30 yards before a left turn because cars were beginning to queue at the traffic lights ahead to turn left. Between the point I pulled into the bus lane and the left turn at the traffic lights there is another traffic light/pedestrian crossing to facilitate a school.

As I pulled into the bus lane (no more than 3 car lengths from the school light), the traffic lights at the school turned red and the lollipop lady walked out onto the road. I stopped at the crossing with the window open, minding my own business. I then hear a voice shout at me "You're in the bus lane!". It was a man in his 40's crossing the road at the crossing. I just said "I'm turning left at the next turn." He said something I didn't really hear and I thought no more of it. Then I see him at the other side of the road taking my reg number. I shout across to him "You're being very petty." He said something smart alecy so I shout "Jeez you're being a bit of a b*l*x now." He then said "why don't you come over and say that to my face?" I know I shouldn't have but I pulled the handbrake and hopped over the road to him. I didn't threaten him physically and neither did he threaten me. What followed was a lot of gesticulating and heated discussion. He infuriated me further by making stupid comments such as "what gives you the right to be in the bus lane when no-one else is doing it?" I pointed to the fact that there were, at that very moment, 10 cars queued BEHIND me on the lane waiting for me to move, people who all had their indicator to turn left.. He then said "have you no consideration for the children crossing?". This made me quite militant. I said "I'm on a bus lane not running red lights, I stopped when you crossed the road didn't I??". We parted with a few choice expletives, he telling me that my "aggression does you no favours".

Just wondering what people think of this? I just felt that he was being very petty and a bit of a do gooding busy body. I didn't cover myself in glory but it just felt like I was provoked into standing up for myself.

U should get the number for someone to deal with ur anger issue. U were completely wrong and acted inappropriately and aggressively.

MugMugs

I always blow kisses at tools like that and finish with a wee wink. Seems to leave them stumped long enough to facilitate a timely exit.

Old geezer probably had his day made that you got out of the car.

johnthemull

Bring the wheel brace with you next time

MonaghanPenguin

Thing is, was getting out of the car ever going to achieve anything? This guy had obviously made up his mind about you and shouting at him at the side of the road probably just confirmed it more than anything.

SilverBell

bar32 wrote: »

Technically, I know I was wrong according to the rules of the road but just wanted to see what other ppl think.

Basically I pulled into the bus lane 30 yards before a left turn because cars were beginning to queue at the traffic lights ahead to turn left. Between the point I pulled into the bus lane and the left turn at the traffic lights there is another traffic light/pedestrian crossing to facilitate a school.

As I pulled into the bus lane (no more than 3 car lengths from the school light), the traffic lights at the school turned red and the lollipop lady walked out onto the road. I stopped at the crossing with the window open, minding my own business. I then hear a voice shout at me "You're in the bus lane!". It was a man in his 40's crossing the road at the crossing. I just said "I'm turning left at the next turn." He said something I didn't really hear and I thought no more of it. Then I see him at the other side of the road taking my reg number. I shout across to him "You're being very petty." He said something smart alecy so I shout "Jeez you're being a bit of a b*l*x now." He then said "why don't you come over and say that to my face?" I know I shouldn't have but I pulled the handbrake and hopped over the road to him. I didn't threaten him physically and neither did he threaten me. What followed was a lot of gesticulating and heated discussion. He infuriated me further by making stupid comments such as "what gives you the right to be in the bus lane when no-one else is doing it?" I pointed to the fact that there were, at that very moment, 10 cars queued BEHIND me on the lane waiting for me to move, people who all had their indicator to turn left.. He then said "have you no consideration for the children crossing?". This made me quite militant. I said "I'm on a bus lane not running red lights, I stopped when you crossed the road didn't I??". We parted with a few choice expletives, he telling me that my "aggression does you no favours".

Just wondering what people think of this? I just felt that he was being very petty and a bit of a do gooding busy body. I didn't cover myself in glory but it just felt like I was provoked into standing up for myself.

Sometime its hard to just drive somewhere without meeting some idiot who wants to have a pop at you. Its very maddening OP, but I know how you feel. I'm sure we all have gotten involved in some sort of row that we shouldnt have, and it raises stress levels when really you should just be having a nice drive like Mr Fonz :cool:

Best thing to do is to ignore an idiot like that in future and to remain "above their level". All the best.
G