Mr Wishy Washy and the Angry Cage Driver

[Quartida]

OK, now I know that it's all nice and well that people are entrepreneurial enough to want to clean people's windscreens at intersections, rather than being bums, or to earn a bit of extra dough.

And I know, too, that many people find them frustrating as they feel "imposed upon" by these sneaky washer-people, to whom they then feel obliged to give money.

Today, my friends, I take the side of the latter.

Usually I just give a gentle shake of the head and they pass me by. But today, oh no. Mr Washerman decides that it is his GOD GIVEN RIGHT to put his soapy crap onto my windscreen.

Not a big deal, you say?

Well, in principle, no, not a big deal. Apart from the fact that it IRKS THE HELL out of me that people ignore the shaking head.

But today...today was worse.

No sooner than he had squirted his soapy crap all over the drivers side of my screen, the lights turned green.

And I had to drive away.

Furtherore, my windscreen washer bottle under my bonnet has run out of water, so I wiped it with the wipers, but a whole lots of soapy crap dried on the outside edge.

It just makes me mad.

/END RANT.

(And no, don't tell me it's because I should have been riding the bike. I was, in fact, going to pick up a new battery for said bike, as current battery is poked.)

[TerminalAddict]

if one of them even tries that on my visor .. I'm gonna head butt his arse in to next month

[Motu]

I've never had one even try to clean my screen - I'd probably give them 5 bucks for just attempting.But they don't want to actualy work for the money.

[R6_kid]

if one of them even tries that on my visor .. I'm gonna head butt his arse in to next month

what is up with 250 virago riders and being angry?

[Squeak the Rat]

I share your pain. I had a white hippie woman (???) at the lights start washing my windscreen after I had already said no thanks.

I rolled down the window and asked relatively politely

"Can you please stop interfering with my property when I expressely told you not to".

She stopped immediately...

Now to try it on the 130kg mean looking P'd up guy who frequents the intersection down the road......

[TerminalAddict]

what is up with 250 virago riders and being angry?

coz I'm $6k short of upgrading to a CB900 :cry:

[The_Dover]

Fuck, whenever I'm in a cage, which is rare, I just let them get on with it, smile and say thank you.

I never agreed to pay for it, there was no verbal contract. If they want to wash my windscreen for free then they can carry on.

[Hitcher]

Only in Auckland. All of those wannabe Matthew Ridges trying to make a buck...

[Swoop]

Only in Auckland. All of those wannabe Matthew Ridges trying to make a buck...
The windsreen smearers can make a very healthy income...

and Heilen Klunk gets not one cent in tax...

[bobsmith]

The windsreen smearers can make a very healthy income...

and Heilen Klunk gets not one cent in tax...

Indeed, I know one guy who earned average of 50-60 bucks an hour... He actually had rags that he WEARS out to clean windscreens though he earned more than anyone else around him. It was actually quite funny except for the fact that I hated his guts.

[Finn]

I say give them a break. The more cash they get in their pockets the less stealing they'll do.

I support people who get off their arses and try to make a living.

I still don't pay them though. Dirty bastards.

[Gremlin]

iirc, its technically illegal to do it anyway. Can't remember the specific law, but something about not soliciting work on the roadside or something...

The biggest danger is the twits running between the cars when I was splitting to the front at the lights. All the trucks and suv's make it harder to see anyone. Almost managed to clean one out... but missed :lol:

[crashe]

Gremlin - In Auckland and West Auckland, they have to get a permit to do this window washing thingee at intersections.
There was a big huhar about it a few years ago...

I dont know about other council area 's of Auckland thou.

[Lou Girardin]

Carry a squeeze bottle and squirt them back.

[Quartida]

Fuck, whenever I'm in a cage, which is rare, I just let them get on with it, smile and say thank you.

I never agreed to pay for it, there was no verbal contract. If they want to wash my windscreen for free then they can carry on.

The point is that I said no, and that they then left crap all over my windscreen. I don't have any problems with the principles of it.:whocares:

[Quartida]

Carry a squeeze bottle and squirt them back.

That, my friend, is GENIUS.

[Da Bird]

Most of them are scum sucking little criminals who often use intimidation and threats to get money out of people if you don't pay. One guy I deal with on a regular basis is a child molester (that kept him away from the intersections for a couple of years).

We get lots of calls about these pricks who are usually on the dole as well as making lots of tax free dollars window washing.

I have dealt with window washers for years and used to take their brushes and buckets off them (but its a bit hard to do on the bike!). I usually prosecute them as well but the maximum fine is only $500.00 and they usually only get a $50 - $100 fine which can be a few hours work.

I also report them to WINZ as well in the hope they get their benefit stopped.

Anyone who pays these guys only encourage them to keep doing it. For those that approve of it, it is you, the taxpayer that is ultimately getting ripped off.

(Can you tell I don't like window washers???)

BC

[Ixion]

Do people really pay them? Oddly, even when in the car , I have never had any problem with them.

I just look at them and shake my head, and they always seem to accept that.

If one did insist despite that I doubt I would give him anything.

Ironically, the one time I DID want them to wash my windscreen - in the Pajero, I'd been along a very muddy track and the windscreen (and everything else) was filthy - none of them would come near me , despite beckoning gestures. Lazy buggers.

[ZeroIndex]

here is the trick.. worked in south africa too.. when they start to approach your vehicle, start honking on the horn, and use your standard washers.. they won't bother you.. although you may get some strange looks from the other cars..


hmmm... with that in mind, the hazard lights may also make for an interesting stop..


oh wait.. i have an even better idea.. carry a squeezy bottle of soapy water, and have your window down, when they squirt your window, squirt them.. and then put your window up/drive off quickly.. :D - edit*.. just saw someone already posted that.. DAMMIT

[ZeroIndex]

Most of them are scum sucking little criminals who often use intimidation and threats to get money out of people if you don't pay. One guy I deal with on a regular basis is a child molester (that kept him away from the intersections for a couple of years).

We get lots of calls about these pricks who are usually on the dole as well as making lots of tax free dollars window washing.

I have dealt with window washers for years and used to take their brushes and buckets off them (but its a bit hard to do on the bike!). I usually prosecute them as well but the maximum fine is only $500.00 and they usually only get a $50 - $100 fine which can be a few hours work.

I also report them to WINZ as well in the hope they get their benefit stopped.

Anyone who pays these guys only encourage them to keep doing it. For those that approve of it, it is you, the taxpayer that is ultimately getting ripped off.

(Can you tell I don't like window washers???)

BC
or if someone had a nightstick in their car, they could get out and bash the window washer and then say "bad kitty, i said no.." :nono:

[Swoop]

Indeed, I know one guy who earned average of 50-60 bucks an hour... He actually had rags that he WEARS out to clean windscreens though he earned more than anyone else around him.
Sort of like the professional beggars in London...
Beg on the streets wearing old clothes all day, then retire home to a pleasant flat and a decent meal of an evening.

["D" FZ1]

Had a good one a while ago in Ham. I said no thanks. His reply was, that at there windscreen washer motorvational meeting :yes: that morning, they had decided that any car with a lady inside that resembled a current or former miss world that they would wash the screen for free. He went ahead and washed it then implied that after that speech I should pay him. I said that I only had EFTPOS which he said that I could leave with him and come back in an hour :tugger:

[aff-man]

Gonna import me one of them flame throwers for the bottom of me car I think.


Yeh beggers in saffa land earn more than you'd think. They drive up in a fancy car then put on the old cloths bring out thier crude cardboard sign and start harrasing motorists. Very prosperous bussiness in bimbo land (often called sandton) where dumb blond housewives feel sorry for the buggers and empty thier purses for them..... idiots