A Delivery Driver Drove a Homeowner Crazy by Honking—So He Stopped Picking Up Packages
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You should never assume that people see the world in the same way that you do, even if it seems very obvious.
What would you do if you lived in a rural house with a long driveway, and you worked from home, so when a delivery driver was bringing a package up to your home, he would honk his horn so you could come out and grab it, but it was very annoying because you might be on a call?
That is what was happening to the guy in this story, so when the driver honked, he would refuse to come out to try to ‘train’ the driver to stop honking, but he wonders if he is handling it improperly.
Personally, I think he should just go out and tell the driver to stop honking. It is very likely that the driver is trying to be nice, not realizing that he is causing an issue. Read through the full story below and see if you agree.
AITAH for refusing to meet the mail carrier when he honks his horn?
I have a really low-stakes scenario where I may be in the wrong.
This seems like a good setup.
I live in a rural area (US) where we have rural mail delivery. My driveway is a few hundred feet long, so when I have packages delivered, the carrier drives them up.
Typically, if I’m free, I’ll meet the carrier on the porch so they can just hand them to directly to me.
The driver is clearly trying to be helpful, but actually isn’t.
Recently a new carrier took over the route. I met him on the first day, explained that I work from home, so might not always be able to come out to receive the packages.
He has this really annoying habit of honking his horn as he pulls up to the house. I find it rude. My partner absolutely hates it.
Why not just talk to the guy?
I’ve started refusing to go out if/when he honks. Earlier in the week I heard him approaching, so went on out and received the packages.
Today I was in the kitchen, heard him, started towards the door, then he honked. So, I just turned back around and resumed what I was doing in the kitchen. He almost certainly saw me as he was placing the packages by the door.
Never assume that things which are obvious to you are obvious to everyone.
I’m not doing this to be a jerk. I’ve already explained that I’d come out if I can, but may not be able to (due to work). It seems like it should be obvious that honking isn’t going to make me available, and could actually be an issue if I’m in the middle of a call, etc.
By going out when he doesn’t honk I hope to show that it’s easier on him if/when he doesn’t do it.
This guy is making a lot of assumptions.
I realize that he might think I’m just being a jerk, though. So what do you think? Am I wrong for only going on when he doesn’t honk?
Also, I have a very obvious security camera right by the porch steps, so get an alert if I happen not hear him approaching. So, it’s not like I would need him to honk to know he’s there. And there is zero chance that he hasn’t noticed the camera.
AITA?
While it is not intentional, this rural homeowner is definitely being a jerk. If he doesn’t want the guy to honk, all he has to do is let him know. It couldn’t be more obvious that the delivery guy is just trying to be helpful.
Read through the top comments below and see what they think about it.
Exactly. Why get upset if he hasn’t talked to the driver?
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Here is a simple explination.
It might even be the policy of the driver to honk.
What this commenter says makes a lot of sense.
If you enjoyed this post, check out this story about a man who stopped salting his neighbors’ driveways when they wouldn’t stop driving through his yard.
This seems like the most obvious explanation.
Why would he assume that the driver is being rude? You should never assume the worst in people. In reality, the driver is almost certainly trying to be nice and helpful.
This is why it is so important to just talk to people calmly and not try to make a situation worse unless that is the last resort.
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