Angry Old Men

[foggetyfog]

Three times over the past couple of weeks I have found myself in situations where I am being shouted and finger wagged at by angry old men (AOM) in their 60's or 70's over minor mistakes.

This morning it was driving into a shop car park without signalling when a man was about to cross the road. (it wasn't my local area, I wasn't sure if there were any parking spaces and I didn't notice him - he certainly didn't have to leap backwards or anything).

On each occasion I have immediately said sorry which the AOM has ignored and then explained to me in a shouty voice what I have done wrong and how stupid I am. I am quite certain they would not do this to a man. I am a generally polite, overweight, middle-aged woman.

AIBU in thinking I shouldn't have to put up with this bullying behaviour?

Could I also ask you to tell me what I should do next time it happens. Things I have considered so far are:

1. Completely ignoring them,
2. smiling saying "ooh silly me" (not my usual style)
3. taking a photo of them and saying I'm going to report them to the police for abusive behaviour
4. Telling them to go f* themselves (also not my usual style)
5. Hitting them in the balls with a cricket bat which I will buy especially for the purpose and take with me everywhere I go

What I notice is men screaming at me when they're the ones in the wrong. A male driver recently beeped at me for slowing down and indicating 100 yards before the traffic lights. He swerved around me, tyres squealing and screaming abuse. It was only as he passed me that he realised I was turning in to a side road he hadn't previously noticed. Apparently he thought I was slowing down too soon before the lights. Wanker.

So I can believe that men scream at women for just about anything, whoever is at fault.

Yes some old men do seem to be quite grumpy.
BUT count yourself lucky your did not encounter a 20 year old bully, or even worse a stressed- out middelaged woman (am one myself) etc. Etc everybody has bad days.
Noone buys into "silly me, I have reasons for whatever I do".
Apart from that I think you should apologize briefly (if no one is indured) and just carry on. Some aom do have a tendency to stick with things, so just remove yourself from the situation 😀.

If you think not indicating or seeing someone crossing the car park is ok what were your other two minor mistakes

How many steps to "Brexit is all the fault of old people so it is fair game to run them over"?