antera309 wrote:
Tell me about it, Dieselmoment. I was doing less than 15mph in the car park of my local supermarket today when a middle aged lady stepped right out in front of me from between two parked vans.
I stopped and waved her across. I even managed a smile.
And for this I got a dirty look and a fist waved at me.
The thing is, the law backs up people like this. If I had made even the slightest contact with her, I would have had her claiming off my insurance company for whiplash, pschological trauma and whatever else her solicitor could dream up. And in the absence of any honest witnesses, she would have won.
Also had this. Waved what looked to be a young "lady" across a road. She was smartly dressed. She was at bollard before a mini roundabout at which I would be stopping anyway. So I wave her across.
She crosses in front of me und next thing I know she ist hurling abuse at me und even banging on the car window. I have the kittens in the car. They are alarmed at this. My youngest ist woken und starting to grizzle at the commotion. I also carry a dictaphone in my handbag as well as a ditgital camera.
I stop car (have to soothe Rachael - my second daughter calmed her) und ask her what matter ist. I mention she upset my children und I was polite enough to stop for her und ensure she cross road safely. I was polite und calm - but finger pressed on 999 button on Handy phone in pocket just in case. (Hate them - but have one for such emergency use)
She screams more abuse und seems to be enjoying herself. I suspect she get pleasure out of tantrum. Not worth calling police. Suspect tantrum und adrenalin rush of getting wound up und enjoying it - seen it before with a foster child once. I have switched on my dictaphone und my son clicks camera. I ask her calmly if she has had dreadful day at work und wants to blow off steam und ask if she now feel better for this und remind her that I have now all this on record. She continues to scream hysterically at this point. I give her a look - whip out Handy, und my identity card which allow me into lab - und inform her in tone of voice which kittens recognise as "claws are out"

that as a doctor (und I am one as well - but a research specialist one) that in my considered opinion she ist a danger to self und others und if she does not cease screaming - I will dial a number und arrange to have her sectioned
How strange. She shuts up und walks into a chip shop where she buy chips und gravy und walks - I think homewards. Lady in chip shop say girl (a regular) ist one of rudest she ever serves und seems to love shouting a lot.
Takes all sorts I suppose.
I did call the police when I got home in case - but "no one was injured und car was not damaged" Could have called police at the time.. but then would they have come? I was being screamed at but not in danger.
Thinking back

I think I should have dialled for help - could have been a form of schizophrenia und she may need medication to help her. I hope her family do seek help for her in that case. Perhaps I did not do right thing by not reporting und getting a policeman there on scene.