Windscreen washers at traffic lights, what would you do?

[Orich]

Anyone who lives in a big city probably knows what I am talking about. It is the bums who lurk at street corners and rush out to wash your windshield while you're stopped at a light.

I go through 2 or 3 these situations a day. Now I just had my M5 hand washed spotless and these guys would aggressively approach your car and wipe your windshield with their dirty rags. You could be shaking your head, say no, honk or even shout at them but they wont care and just carry on washing your glass.

In some cases I was able to change to the next lane and drive away, but in rush hours where you are sandwiched between cars I got no where to move.


I'm really sick of this, What would you do to avoid these guys touching your car?

[Palomequet]

I used to feel the same against these guys, nowadays I thank God been inside my M5 and tolerate.

[Orich]

Originally Posted by Palomequet

I used to feel the same against these guys, nowadays I thank God been inside my M5 and tolerate.

are you not worried that they will scratch your car with their dirty squeegee?

[Palomequet]

Absolutely, in my area we're invaded by sellers of sweets, newspaper boys, indigents, even old people asking for some spare. Maybe if you have on hand some kind of treats (no money) to give, they will identify your car and avoid you. Maybe.

[Theballzack]

I see it all the time when I vacation in Mexico.


If I was you, I would get out to confront these gangsters and tell them to get their hands off my property…

Or if you aren't the assertive type, violently rev your engine so they wet their pants and are forced to leave

[N.S.A]

Originally Posted by Theballzack

I see it all the time when I vacation in Mexico.


If I was you, I would get out to confront these gangsters and tell them to get their hands off my property…

Or if you aren't the assertive type, violently rev your engine so they wet their pants and are forced to leave

It does not work like that in mexico.

[RPiM5]

You could try activating your wipers so they can't physically touch your windshield. Revving might work too. Lol!

[secretariat]

True story, my mother went down the Major Deegan Expressway and they ripped off her windshield wiper for not wanting them to do it. She called me and my three brothers went down there and one of them was more than willing to give up his buddy. So we did to him exactly what you are thinking you would do if your mother was treated this way. Don't take any shit from these people.

[johntomferg]

Get a temporary decal that you can stick on and off your car that says:

[infamousq]

Originally Posted by secretariat

True story, my mother went down the Major Deegan Expressway and they ripped off her windshield wiper for not wanting them to do it. She called me and my three brothers went down there and one of them was more than willing to give up his buddy. So we did to him exactly what you are thinking you would do if your mother was treated this way. Don't take any shit from these people.

Awesome thanks for the Story I needed the laugh. Also me and my brothers would have done the same.....again.......

[cassidysdad]

i see this a lot in los angeles
some days, especially if they are obnoxious, i ignore them

the polite ones, there is a guy with an above knee amputation,
sometimes i will give them a buck
or better, if i have a nutrigrain bar or water
i will give them that

many times, your money may be used for drugs or eton
so not a big fan of cash

[Orich]

Originally Posted by johntomferg

Get a temporary decal that you can stick on and off your car that says:

Lol

[ImpetuousRacer]

Catch them before they hit the glass, and give them a dollar and tell them you'll pay them not to touch your car. Tell them to remember your M, and when they see you, just to get the buck but they only get it fro not touching your windshield.

[NlckyBlack]

NYC used to be like this until Giuliani cleaned it up and Bloomberg followed. What a mess that is no more.

[URBAN LEGEND]

You will be shot in Houston Texas. Fact.

[PhilT3]

Few options:

1. don't drive there anymore
2. put your window down and pay them to NOT touch your car
3. just let them do it. it's just a car...it can be fixed. I'm not saying we don't work hard to have the things we have and its a PITA to have to deal with people who don't have the same respect for others property...but like the other guy said...I'm happy to be fortunate enough to be IN my (insert $$$ car here) and not the guy on the outside trying to clean the windshield. I was lucky to have been raised by a loving and supportive family and take that foundation and bust my ass to achieve success. But not everyone has the same opportunities. NOT saying there are people who can do things to put themselves in a better situation... BUT you just don't know what someone else has been through until you walk in their shoes (and yes, we ALL have our own 'cross to bare').

Honestly...i'd try to give the guy(s) a $5 and tell them 'No touch PLEASE'. You shouldn't HAVE to pay them....BUT I am learning to PICK MY BATTLES. I'd rather use my energy to go make another butt-load of cash, vs fight these guys over a car.

[Fantasm]

Get out of your car...
Someone said this happens in LA, but I've never experienced it.

If I did, I would carry a small baton in my seat bolster and just get out of the car with it if someone approached.

Actually, I really don't think this happens in LA -- not with all the Armenians, Persians, Russians, and Middle Easterners around here - we have attitude and the bums know better than to approach a BMW or Mercedes unless you look like an old white person.

[stealth.pilot]

We had this issue in Miami. I used the following tactics in order of frequency:

1) stop 40 feet short of the junction or of the car in front of you. Wait for them to approach your car. Then move forward 40 feet. They will get the message and move on to next car.

2) Call the cops and tell them that one of these guys stole your wallet and is continuing to operate at the junction. Cops will usually disband them but they will be back in a week or so.

3) Tazer them.

[nybimmerfan]

I remember when NYC had its share of these winshield wiper guys who would run over to your car on a traffic light stop and start cleaning your windshield even though you ask them not to and would then ask for payment. Driver and passengers would get terrified as these guys would bang on the car if they did not get the payment they asked or worse if you refuse to hand over payment which sometimes lead to their bashing your car and windshield. NYC then elected Rudolf Giuliani who cleaned up NYC and put an end to these guys as he promised -- it was Giuliani's policy to go after even small quality of life crimes such as these which his predecesor just ignored -- he was a popular NYC mayor and easily won reelection.

To the OP, I would suggest to avoid these guys. If that is not possible, then before they get close to your car, just run your windshield wipers on so these guys would not have the chance to do their thing. Also, be ready to take off anytime in case these guys get beligerent.

[Actor]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

Few options:

1. don't drive there anymore
2. put your window down and pay them to NOT touch your car
3. just let them do it. it's just a car...it can be fixed. I'm not saying we don't work hard to have the things we have and its a PITA to have to deal with people who don't have the same respect for others property...but like the other guy said...I'm happy to be fortunate enough to be IN my (insert $$$ car here) and not the guy on the outside trying to clean the windshield. I was lucky to have been raised by a loving and supportive family and take that foundation and bust my ass to achieve success. But not everyone has the same opportunities. NOT saying there are people who can do things to put themselves in a better situation... BUT you just don't know what someone else has been through until you walk in their shoes (and yes, we ALL have our own 'cross to bare').

Honestly...i'd try to give the guy(s) a $5 and tell them 'No touch PLEASE'. You shouldn't HAVE to pay them....BUT I am learning to PICK MY BATTLES. I'd rather use my energy to go make another butt-load of cash, vs fight these guys over a car.

[secretariat]

hey fantasm, I'll be an old white guy one day hopefully and if this shit is still going on I'll get out of my car and bash the f@*&&% over the head and claim I'm an old man and I was scared.

[johntomferg]

Originally Posted by Orich

Lol

http://carzapper.info/