I do some small blocks of flats for a property management guy that looks after a few landlords. One of these is four flats in a four storey 1860's house at No. 5 __________ Road in Clifton, Bristol. I've been doing them for over 5 years on a quarterly basis.
Parking is sometimes difficult with a narrow road and permit only parking. As I only take 30 minutes or so and if you are genuinely there working the residents understand, I always take my chances.
Yesterday I turn up and there is half a space plus a neighbouring (No. 6) driveway next to the property and I pull into the half-space with the rear of my van about one third of the way across the neighbour's driveway but with room for the small car in it to get out if I close my van doors.
There is a "worker" loading the car and I explain that I will only be thirty minutes or so but that at anytime I can move to let him out if "it's a bit tight."
With that the owner and his wife come out and I politely explain my predicament and ask their permission to park there with the assurance I can move at any point.
The wife says "Who are you cleaning the windows for?" and I tell her that it's her next door neighbour. (No. 5)
Her: "Oh no! I'm not letting you clean their windows they're awful neighbours!"
Me: "Sorry?
"
Him: "We've got history with them - I'm not letting you park there!"
Me: "Well actually I'm doing it for the landlord's agent; I'm not going to be long and I can move at any point."
Him: "No. Sorry. I won't allow it."
Me: "Well that seems rather unreasonable, I'm only trying to do my job."
Him: "You don't know the history."
Me: "Okay ... do you know whose car that is because if I ask the owner to move forward a few feet I won't be in your way."
Him: "I own that car; I've put it there so my worker can get into the garden with his car and I'm not moving it.
Me: (Getting exasperated.) "You won't let me park across your drive and you won't move forward?"
Him: "I'll park where I F***ing well like outside my own house!"
Me: "Well up until now I pegged you as an educated man but if you need to use language like that as an intensifier in front of a window cleaner I'm beginning to doubt my initial judgement of you."
Him: "Don't you patronise me!"
Me: "Well, I've not particularly enjoyed our conversation so as you are not being reasonable and cooperative I'll just crack on and get cleaning. Like I said - if anyone needs to move I'll be at the end of that hose - just ask."
Him: "I'm going for a walk to get a coffee and if you're here when I get back I'll call the Police."
Me: "Do it now!"
Him: "No. I won't do it now but if you're here when I get back ..."
Me: (Petulantly) "Go on - here - use my phone if you like. You're going to look a right chump especially as I have offered to move at any point. Do you think they'll be interested - what with just having to look after Greta Thunberg and managing the consequences of Coronavirus?"
Him: (Marches off)
About twenty minutes later his "worker" says he's going and I shut the van doors and he easily drives out.
Just after that matey boy comes back, all "pret-a-coffee" and croissant and flounces past me without a word and into his house.
I finish up and go shortly afterwards. So I decide to call my contact and explain the incident just in case a complaint is forthcoming. I'm part way through explaining and he says ...
"It's not the bloke at number 6 is it? Mr. ________? He's a right numpty. Please tell me you decked him!" And he explains various incidents he has had with other contractors.
