to have shouted at these teenagers in the street?

[bluebeanie]

I don't live in the best area, but still. There was a group of about 9 guys hanging around my street just now making a fair bit of noise.

I watched them for a bit in the dark upstairs bedroom and then suddenly one was on my drive approaching the car. I saw red and opened the window. I shouted, 'What the f do you think you are doing? The guy responded that he was checking out his reflection in the window. I said that I've got a sleeping baby here (true, but in the back room) and to p off or I'd call the police. I then slammed the window shut and called them anyway. The Police never really come for that sort of thing anyway and I never saw them.

Anyway, they left soon after, but I'm half expecting to wake up to my tires slashed or my paintwork keyed. It's not a fancy car (Hyundai i30). God, I'm shaking. It's not a usual occurrence thank god. I'm usually timid. Hell hath no fury like a mum, I suppose.

Yes, it would appear that the correct way to approach a lad wandering about on your driveway after he and his pals have been disturbing the peace with their shenanigans of an evening is to politely ask if he requires assistance

And you can tell them to fuck off without escalating a situation, as happened in the OP's case.

Another poster who clearly doesn't understand the subtleties of the English language...

'Can I help you' is frequently used in a way akin to 'explain yourself' rather than as a way to offer a favour.

No - really, Jolleigh? Thank goodness you are here to explain the subtleties of the English language

I'm sure the OP will be just fine Kim.

I honestly am shocked by some of the responses on this thread. Yes, not all teen's are up to causing trouble, most are lovely. But in this case, he was on your drive. Your entitled to shout at anyone you bloody like who is on your drive, late at night imo. When my dc are teenages, I wouldn't object to anyone shouting at them if they where on private property.

But school is a place where kids are expected to be. Someone's drive on a Saturday evening really isn't.
Even I managed to be a little shit as a teenager without trespassing on people's property...

OK so it's either aggressive swearing or 'hello there chaps, jolly fine evening, may I be of assistance?'

Nothing in between like simply asking them to move along because they're disturbing your child and you don't want one of them on your driveway?

Righto....

Yeah, Worra - that's exactly it

Kim - you sound overly concerned. It will be fine, honestly.

Worra- sorry? 'Asking' people to move off your private property? If you wake up to find an intruder in your room would you make sure you asked them politely to move on? Are you mental?

I'm glad you're not, and I'm sure that the OP will be just fine.

Yes, it's always hard to know how we will react to situations that make us feel vulnerable and scared.

Let's all start to answer our front door by saying 'what the fuck do you want' with a scorn on our face. Because, you know, common decency doesn't apply if someone has stepped foot on your property without clearing it with you first.

The OP swore unnecessarily at someone on her drive before knowing his intentions simply because he is of a certain age. Once he confirmed he had no reason to be there, fine, say what you like. But that's not the case here.

If a stranger is inside the house uninvited, they've already proven malice by breaking and entering. Not the same situation at all.

Knowing his intentions? What possible intentions could there be? Really? Confirmed by his bullshit 'I
Was looking in the mirror'

What a load of bollocks, I genuinely cannot fathom how some people manage to get on in this world. The anxiety and overreaction on mn is like nothing I've seen. Everyone complains about DM links then sound exactly like its writers.

I have a baby AND???

I was petrified Of???

I think Jolleigh has it right.