Upset at petrol pump incident

marion1952
marion1952 Member Posts: 963
edited 12. Sep 2010, 15:56 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

I have just been to put some petrol in my car. My hands are very painful at the moment (RA) so it's a struggle to even get the nozzle off the stand. I can't pull the pipe over the car, so was in the queue for the pump on the same side as my petrol cap... A young woman. with children, in the car behind me, started 'screaming' at me, because I didn't move to use the pump on the OTHER side when that became free.

I was annoyed/upset/ By this time another car had moved, so she had moved over to the spare pump herself. I got out and asked her what the problem was - I think she was a bit taken aback that I was tackling her about it, and she could see I was using a crutch (and I still had my blue badge displayed). I said I couldn't use my hands to pull the pipe... but she just started putting petrol in her car and just kept saying 'the pipe stretches over the car'!!..

She paid by card at the pump and was gone by the time I had paid in the shop ..

I was really annoyed that I had not thought of a 'cutting response' and drove home in tears..

I know this kind of thing has come up on the forum many times before ..

SO

instead of letting it spoil my evening, I want you all to think of some really good 'cutting responses' to use in situations like this.. then we can all learn them and trot them out when necessary!

DD and Rehab - I bet you know some good 'put downs' !!

Thanks.



Marion x
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Comments

  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    mind your own sodding buisness. would work for me
    val
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marion -

    What a stupid woman!!

    Good for you for tackling her, even though she wasn't listening properly. People can be so impatient and non-understanding sometimes. I'm sorry she upset you. Like you it takes me awhile to think of apt replies ... so I'll get my thinking cap on and will pop back to read the suggestions of others.

    Still fuming on your behalf.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    like that one Val! Next time you could smile and say 'would you like to help me?"
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks folks for helping me start the list..

    I just about managed NOT to use the 'f' word (that's not my style, anyway, but I have been known to come out with it when very very provoked).. !!

    Marion
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 10. Sep 2010, 14:28
    Im so angry for you!!

    I always have a saying for people like that although maybe its a little too long for shouting out...

    "Maybe the person who ruins your day be infested with the force of a thousand crabs and may their arms be too short to scratch!"

    Not the politest of remarks but very fitting I think....

    Grrr I hate people sometimes, thats why I have a dog LOL x
  • oneday
    oneday Member Posts: 1,434
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    first thought - her kids are going to turn out really caring arent they - not!
  • patriciamary
    patriciamary Member Posts: 117
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marion.

    How dare she, I hope that she finds herself in a similar position some day and only then will she realise just how horrible she is.

    I personally would have got out and thanked her for offering to help me, saying so many people just get annoyed because I am not as mobile as I would like to be. Usually they become really embaressed and start apologising. I have used this on several occassions and it always makes people realise how nasty they are being. I have been apologised to many times with excuses like "I have had a really bad day at the office" and "the kids have been driving me crazy all day" or "Im running late for work and the boss will not be pleased". I usually reply that I wish I was in their situation and not mine. I love to walk (well hobble really) away with my head held high feeling all smug and superior.

    Regards
    Trisha
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    how about....... if your that bothered by me why dont you fill my car up for me then i can get out of your way quicker, flash a smile and carry on with what you were doing.

    or go over and congratulate them on being the lucky winner in the your fitter than me competition, the prize is..... filling up my car for me so i can get out of your way, your obviously on your way to an emergancy, again smile and hobble off,

    supermarkets....... when bashed into by someone with a trolly i usually turn round and say.... if you are that desperate to have me in your trolly you should have just asked, then you wouldnt have me all battered and bruised.

    bingo hall.....man sat and talked loudly through every game anoying everyone........stood up approached him with a smile and happily said, you have won first price in the most annoying and rude contest, to collect your prize you will have to SHUT UP for a bit, good day enjoy your silence, everyone else will.

    yep ive done them all hahaha
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    im sorry you had this ordeal today marion, i hope you are ok now.


    people who nearly take your eyes out with umbrellas......its ok, i have knackered hands and legs why on earth would i mind having my eyes ripped out by you also?

    im bad lol
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Aww Marion,
    So sorry this happened to you.
    It's a sad fact that common sense has gone out of the window these days.

    I try and wait for the right pump to become free as I cannot get the pump round the car very easily. If I see someone waiting I presume they are having the same dilema or have a good reason. Most people do not enjoy holding up the petrol queue as we know life is hectic and time is of the essense.
    I had an idiot overtake me on a red light this morninng :? We do seem to have more than our fair share of these idiots knocking about.
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How awful some people can be but like you i am not quick with answers.

    Mind you there are a few in this thread that have tickled me, I will have to write them down. :lol:

    sending a big hug (((((((((((((()))))))))))

    love juliepf x
  • stlucia
    stlucia Member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh what a horrible thing to happen - could you have 'missed' with the petrol and squirted her! :) I hope that she realised that you were having difficulty afterwards when she drove off. Pah some people hey!

    Big hugs and I hope that you start to calm down about it and have a restful relaxing evening.

    xxx
  • amboritic
    amboritic Member Posts: 66
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You don't understand the true nature of some people until you have had somebody knock on the door where you are answering an emergency call and the Ambulance is blocking the road, i have replied with things like "no problem, if you just deliver this baby I will pop out and do it right away", to telling to F... off, to having the patients family and friends wanting to fight them.
    Not forgetting the, "oh, no have I used my own car rather than the Ambulance again"
    Or my favourite, when you are called to assist an elderly WW2 veteran that has slipped over with no injuries, just make sure you brew his tea correctly and don't burn his or her toast, whilst ignoring the knocks on the door or the blast on the horn.
  • Rainbow77
    Rainbow77 Member Posts: 275
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marion

    I am really sorry to hear of your incident today. It is such a shame that people are in such a hurry and they only think of themselves.

    Don't let her upset you, what goes around, comes around and she will get her comuppance (spelt v wrong!)

    People just do not realise the impact that arthritis can have on our lives. I know this is sad but I go to the same garage and will use only 2 of the pumps at the garage ((they have 18) and will queue up ages to use them. As I find it hard to squeeze the trigger and I know that I can use them.

    Sending you hugs

    Fayann xxx :
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi folks

    Thanks very much for all your messages and suggesed responses.. I knew you would understandl..

    I am sitting down with my weekly alcoholic treat now - just one glass of wine - (because of methotrex), so am feeling a lot better..

    Amboritc ... gosh - I bet as an ambulance officer you have seen the very best and the very worst in people!!!

    Marion x
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marion,

    How dare she!! Why couldn't she just go to the vacant pump... stupid ...... begins with a B!

    I am so glad you haven't let it upset you for the evening but there is no need for it and again how dare she! Luv and a ((((( )))))Cris xx

    Hi Ambortic,

    Nicie to meet you and was on the wagons years ago.... we used get abuse even back then... we even had a waggon nicked! I think people are just odd sometimes... oh and my favorite...

    You know when you done a 4 man lift and really struggled... and then you see them out walking to the shops! :lol::lol: I might miss some of the job but not all of it :wink: You watch your back... very important.. its how I got here :lol::lol::lol: Cris x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 10. Sep 2010, 16:50
    Hi Marion

    I am just so fizzing mad for you. :x how dare she :x and she didn't even have enough manners to apologise when she saw you were needing to use a crutch! Grrrrrr!!!!!!

    when she said 'the pipe stretches over the car'!!.. you should have said

    with a bit of luck it'll stretch round your neck and tighten at the same time ....you selfish, rude, creature!!!

    Iris xxx (that brought out the id in me!!!)


    ps.... I think you did well to even speak to her.. I wouldn't have thought of a quick cutting response either!!! and would never say anything like the above.... but it sure was fun thinking of something!.

    with all the suggestions you're going to be well prepared...
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Cris and Iris

    I'm quite pleased with myself that I didn't just let her get away with it (which I would have done at one time!) ...

    It upset me more because, as you know, my hands are quite bad at the moment and I'm worrying a lot about them .. hence I'm a rather sensitive little flower at the moment!!

    Marion xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marion,

    You did very well flower! It never ceases to amaze e how some humans act! She would justify it I guess, bad day, noisy kids etc but how dare she! I really do feel cross about this....

    Hey when you do the petrol do you ever find you get cramp and run over what you were going to put in? Another ((( ))) Cris xx
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Cris

    Well - I do have a habit of looking at the wrong dial on the petrol pump and getting mixed up between the number of litres and the number of pounds!! Not sure if that's a side effect of methotrexate or just menopausal/nold age!!

    Marion
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 11. Sep 2010, 01:40
    Can't help yet. Sorry! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    morning marion

    How you doing today.

    Bet she dreamt about you lastnight and woke up in a hot sweat. (cause in her dream you responded with all these quotes from your thread)

    She will now have a fear of petrol stations. :lol:


    juliepf x
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks BC and Julie

    Yes, I'm wondering how she feels this morning too!! Hopefully she is ashamed of herself and will think twice before she behaves like that again ....

    I'm veering between wishing I had been very rude to her, and wishing I had been very calm and tried to educate/enlighten her about the difficulties of having 'bad hands.'

    Anyway, thanks to all of you I am compiling a list of 'useful put downs' to use in similar circumstances!!

    I'm OK - there are much worse things happening in the world - I'm writing it off as 'experience.'!!

    Marion xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm racking my brains for put downs but nothing is occurring. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Being at odds with the world today, my suspicion is that she will have forgotten all about it. She sounds like one of the habitually rude people that one bumps into all the time. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tonesp
    tonesp Member Posts: 844
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This wouldn't happen here in Spain as most garages have attendant service I think sometimes self service is a bit of a retrograde step :o