Properly shaken up - really hurt (intentionally) whilst shopping

[Vinosaurus]

I was in Tesco about an hour ago - it was pretty busy but people all had masks on and were trying their best in the main to keep their distance ... as was I.

I don't really know what happened exactly, or why he did it, but I was picking up some fromage frais - nobody particularly close by - and I suddenly got shoved from behind. Turned my head to be presented with a alpha male type who lifted his arm (trying to explain that this was very much intentional and meant to hurt) and elbowed me in the back of the ribs with some real force. It was enough to wind me and cause me some real pain.

He walked off pretty briskly but squared up to me (from a distance) when I shouted after him "what the hell do do you think you're doing? You're an idiot!" (not my finest moment and probably very unwise but I was so shocked), although I think he thought better of it when he realised how many people were around. I was walking away by then, trying to calm myself down (had horrid heart palpitations - probably due to the adrenaline!) and just get away from the situation.

A couple of women (separately) caught up to me to see if I was ok/say they'd seen what happened/congratulate me on pulling him up on it - which was very kind, but I am still super tearful and shaken up. I'm a 42 yr old woman, FFS, really need to get a grip, have a glass of wine and forget about it.

Hope you’re ok OP and I’m another saying thank you for reporting him

I had something similar pre Covid. 2 men were blocking most of the aisle, I was stood behind them with my back to them

I turned round just in time to see a bloke doing a running charge in the little space they’d left aiming right for me

I managed to get my trolly in front of me and he hit that instead of me. He then started shouting and screaming I’d attacked him

I reported it to Tesco and they made a note of it but didn’t go to the police, I wish I had done now

Glad you're ok op, and so pleased you reported. Feet up now & a glass of or . Fuck that bastard x

@Vinosaurus

I've just got off the phone from both Tesco and the police - neither could have been nicer, took lots of details and they're checking the CCTV to see if they can get a good view of him and police circulate the image.

Police call handler told me to have another glass of wine and assured me that even if they can't investigate any further, it needed to be reported.

Feel bloody angry more than anything now. Does he go about doing this regularly? Is he married? How does he treat his wife?!

Oh, OP! I'm so sorry this happened to you. And I'm really glad you were able to report it. More power (and wine) to you

That’s awful I hope they catch him OP!

How does he treat his wife
Exactly my thoughts
Well done for reporting it.

You don't need to get a grip, report it to the police as you were assaulted. There will be CCTV.

If this psycho misogynist will elbow a woman in daylight in a public place, imagine what he will do to women he meets out walking alone at night...

@HoneysuckIejasmine

You don't need to get a grip, you need to make a police report.

Definitely a Police matter. Hope you’re feeling less shakey OP.

Oh I hope you are ok op.
Please report it. He could have done some damage or could do damage if he does it again to someone else.

I find people have certainly turned more aggresive/feral since this pandemic started. I would definitely report it to the police. Its seems he was looking for an excuse

I was working as a Paramedic with a male colleague, he was attending this particular job and I was driving. We got called to an intoxicated middle aged male found on the street, by the time we got there two young lads who vaguely new him had got him up on his feet and were supporting him. By the time i got out of the ambulance my colleague was already chatting to him so I just stood quietly in the background, didn't say a word. Suddenly the man locked his eyes on me with a really blank expression and forced his way past the two lads and my male colleague to punch me. Luckily i dodged it. It was so unexpected, terrifying, and very surreal experience. It really unsettled me. The police were great (came for statements and coffee at the ambulance station that night), the courts less so, and he got a suspended sentence (he also tried to hit me again later, but there was no way he was getting anywhere near me).

I hadn't realised this was 'thing'.

Any psychologist on here able to give me any explanation/theory for what is going through these mens minds at these times.

Hope you are feeling better soon OP

He is probably known to the police so I would definitely report it

Men that like are very well known by the police.

I can't imaging how horrifying it must have been for I'd be very shaken up too.

He needs to be stopped

Are your belongings intact? I wonder whether he was going to steal something from you.

Well done for reporting him, and for challenging him at the time.
As pp said, if you get a bruise take a picture. Hope they find him.

Report it - you're not likely his first and it's important to report it because he could do it to someone else. Something similar happened to me in Covent Garden and my husband went for the police who later arrested the guy. It's very stressful, I'm sorry this happened to you.

DC3Dakota perhaps it is on you to read the thread, be supportive to the OP, and to see that she already has reported it!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Don't allow this nasty piece of work take your power.. take it back by reporting to every source available.

Completely different but about 3 years ago I was browsing the underwear in Sainsbury's one evening and I got an almighty smack on the back of my head, that sent me to my knees, seeing stars.. I was 39 wks pregnant at the time.

Anyway my fight, flight kicked in quickly and I went from shock to rage in seconds. I got up ready to fight back and was horrified to see it was just a manikin had fallen from a plinth.. (although it was a young employee that had been adjusting it at that moment). She was as shocked as me.. the fear in that poor girls eyes when she asked if I was "ok?" And then tried to touch my arm.

Well I was in that survival mode and just shouted at her to get away from me!! Trying to stop myself following instinct, honestly in that moment the anger was intoxicating... so I resorted to Dumping my trolley and walking out.

Fear, threats does funny things to us and on reflection I wish I'd done something different. Instead of getting back to the car and crying from shock at the wack and my response.

I think you did brilliantly. X

Oh for goodness sakes DC3Dakota! RTFT!

Goodness Op, I'm so sorry that happened to you and I'm glad you're ok. Well done for reporting it to both Tesco and the police. Hopefully they'll catch him, but even if they don't, they'll hopefully be on the lookout for him in Tesco so that he doesn't do it to any other women as you're right, there's no way he'd do it to a man who might be a threat to him!

Well done for reporting it. This thread will mean that other woman will also report it if it happens to us rather than slinking off thinking we somehow provoked it so thank you for starting it.

Oh love that's awful. Wtf is wrong with him? I know the assault could be worse. I'd be thinking all the things you are about if it's a big enough deal or if I did something. But honesty this isn't OK. What could you have done? You're right to be shaken up!

Also if he will do this in a busy supermarket what could he potentially do? So you've definitely done the right thing reporting it.
Try to relax tonight. Hope you get answers soon from tesco/ police.