[Albion] So this happened to me today

[kevo]

I've recently moved into a new flat in a block. Today I was getting everything delivered from the storage company. Moments before the van was due to arrive with my things, a contractor's van turned up to do some work on one of the flats, completely blocking the entrance to the driveway.

When he returned to the van to get some tools I *very politely* asked him if he could move his van (there was a massive space with plenty of room'). He said 'I'm not moving it', picked up his tools and walked past me back into the building without saying anything else.

As he passed me, I simply said 'So you're not going to move it then?'. At which point he flew into a blind rage, shouting in my face and physically threatening me multiple times saying how he was going to 'chew me up and spit me out' and how I should 'get back in my house'. I backed off, and eventually went inside as it was clear he intended to violently assault me.

I'm sure people have different ways of reacting to this kind of situation, but I am 61 years old. This guy was younger, bigger and stronger than me.

Thinking about it now, it seems incredible that someone should threaten the neighbour of someone they are doing work for in such a way.

His response was completely and utterly unprovoked. I did nothing wrong and was perfectly polite. Just a simple request to move his van.

 

[Commander]

I've recently moved into a new flat in a block. Today I was getting everything delivered from the storage company. Moments before the van was due to arrive with my things, a contractor's van turned up to do some work on one of the flats, completely blocking the entrance to the driveway.

When he returned to the van to get some tools I *very politely* asked him if he could move his van (there was a massive space with plenty of room'). He said 'I'm not moving it', picked up his tools and walked past me back into the building without saying anything else.

As he passed me, I simply said 'So you're not going to move it then?'. At which point he flew into a blind rage, shouting in my face and physically threatening me multiple times saying how he was going to 'chew me up and spit me out' and how I should 'get back in my house'. I backed off, and eventually went inside as it was clear he intended to violently assault me.

I'm sure people have different ways of reacting to this kind of situation, but I am 61 years old. This guy was younger, bigger and stronger than me.

Thinking about it now, it seems incredible that someone should threaten the neighbour of someone they are doing work for in such a way.

His response was completely and utterly unprovoked. I did nothing wrong and was perfectly polite. Just a simple request to move his van.

Assume it didn’t have branding on the van?

 

[kevo]

Assume it didn’t have branding on the van?

Turns out he's a sole trader, unfortunately.

 

[Commander]

Turns out he's a sole trader, unfortunately.

If you can find out who he is then you could leave a nice review on Checkatrade etc explaining your experience. You should definitely speak to the neighbour who was using him at the very least.

 

[kevo]

If you can find out who he is then you could leave a nice review on Checkatrade etc explaining your experience. You should definitely speak to the neighbour who was using him at the very least.

Already done that. She says she won't use him again. So at least he's lost some business.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Turns out he's assole trader, unfortunately.

Fixed that for you

 

[GT49er]

Turns out he's a sole trader, unfortunately.

You could name and shame him, perhaps?

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

That’s pretty shit Kevo. Hopefully you’ve got into the flat now and all good. Sadly some people are just twats.

 

[kevo]

That’s pretty shit Kevo. Hopefully you’ve got into the flat now and all good. Sadly some people are just twats.

Cheers matey.

 

[Gazwag]

Operation Crackdown

 

[southstandandy]

You could let his tyres down, you know leaving him feeling a bit deflated.

 

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

What a shit thing to happen.
I'm 64, but fortunately my size, appearance and persona (according to my wife apparently) is very intimidating so I never experience this.
Shitheads like the person you encountered are little more than bullies who pick their targets.
Twats

 

[Justice]

Was the twat having Roid rage?
I really can’t stomach aggressive people I had some idiot losing his shit behind me today because I was doing 20mph in 20 zone

 

[kevo]

Was the twat having Roid rage?
I really can’t stomach aggressive people I had some idiot losing his shit behind me today because I was doing 20mph in 20 zone

Yeah, it was exactly like road rage. Some people have real anger management issues.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

Seeing as he threatened you, I'd call the police. I can't be doing with arseholes like that

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I've recently moved into a new flat in a block. Today I was getting everything delivered from the storage company. Moments before the van was due to arrive with my things, a contractor's van turned up to do some work on one of the flats, completely blocking the entrance to the driveway.

When he returned to the van to get some tools I *very politely* asked him if he could move his van (there was a massive space with plenty of room'). He said 'I'm not moving it', picked up his tools and walked past me back into the building without saying anything else.

As he passed me, I simply said 'So you're not going to move it then?'. At which point he flew into a blind rage, shouting in my face and physically threatening me multiple times saying how he was going to 'chew me up and spit me out' and how I should 'get back in my house'. I backed off, and eventually went inside as it was clear he intended to violently assault me.

I'm sure people have different ways of reacting to this kind of situation, but I am 61 years old. This guy was younger, bigger and stronger than me.

Thinking about it now, it seems incredible that someone should threaten the neighbour of someone they are doing work for in such a way.

His response was completely and utterly unprovoked. I did nothing wrong and was perfectly polite. Just a simple request to move his van.

That's awful and is similar to a situation I experienced this morning on a trip to Lewes.

I was walking with Mrs PGTips along a pedestrian area. Yes, there is a cobbled section down the middle that vehicles use - but we were on the pavement. A Royal Mail van came along and swung onto the pavement (there's no kerb) and was so unbelievably close to my wife she had to quickly step out of the way. The van pulled up right by me and so when he opened his door I said to him about being careful of pedestrians. I did not swear or raise my voice. He glared at me and said he'd indicated and we shouldn't have been walking on the road. Errr ... it's not actually a road and we were actually on the pavement section anyway. He asked what my problem was and I repeated he'd nearly taken my wife out. His reply ... word for word ... "If I had, she'd be splatted all over the floor'. I was abolutely shocked. I stood there and he then got close and towered over me asking if "I wanted something". He was a young chap around 30 ish (I'll be 63 next month) ... over 6ft I'd say compared to my 5' 7". Another older gent who'd heard what what was going on came over to check I was OK and guided me away. Driver then got some parcels out of his van and headed off. Trousers half way down his arse ... very scruffy. Very odd he was driving a Royal Mail van as he didn't look like a Royal Mail employee.

Basically, he was just a nasty bully. I hate nasty bullies

 

[Bodian]

Was the twat having Roid rage?
I really can’t stomach aggressive people I had some idiot losing his shit behind me today because I was doing 20mph in 20 zone

Roid rage - is that when people are so irritated because of their piles, they take it out on others?!

 

[Jeremiah]

As someone who deals with the public on a daily basis I can confirm that the vast majority of people are decent and kind. However, as you both have found out, there is a minority that aren't. When these people interact with me I just bite my tongue and I am thankful that I'm not them and try to get them out of my life asap.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Sorry about that, I didn't get much sleep last night..

 

[Weststander]

Not uncommon in recent years.

I know of and have seen very similar incidents. Sussex Police told me they deal with several road rage incidents in Brighton and Hove per week involving use of or threatened use of a weapon held by the aggressor. It varies by police force, Sussex Police have a prosecute in every case approach .... so if someone has a golf putter or rounders bat by the driver's door .... they ignore the fable that it's there because "they love sport".

I had a bizarre incident a couple of years ago when parking up in a designated parking spot for a sports centre. A builders boss had nicked the spot temporarily, I guessed he was going to move in a while, I gently tapped on the window to ask when. I didn't realise he was in the middle of a hands free call. When his call was over he came flying out and tried to occupy my personal space, angry that I'd interrupted his call. He tried the intimidation thing, words are easily uttered, whilst I was nonplussed. Speaking to someone who saw the whole thing, he said he thought I was going to flatten the other guy, based on I'm taller and look stronger. But that's not my thing. It died a death and my car wasn't scratched when I came out from the sports session.