Verbally abused by teenager, would you say something in this situation or not?

[Hannahxc1]

I've just picked up a few bits for tea from Sainsbury's and as I'm walking through the doors to leave the shop I hear "come on you fat cow hurry up for fuck sake"

I look back it's a teenage girl (16-17) in a group of three and it was me she was talking to.

I wasn't dordling, I was moving perfectly quickly. I didn't have a trolly or pram holding me up. There was no congestion of people waiting to pass. She just wanted to be confrontational and was clearly looking for attention from her friends.

I was caught off guard and didn't know how to respond so I just rolled my eyes and walked off, but I'm still annoyed 15 minutes later and think I should have said something to the little witch.

Would you have?

Don't worry yourself over it, she's a little toad showing off or her mates and will probably be embarrassed by what a little shit she was in a few years time.

She was looking for a reaction. I’d have rolled my eyes and walked on too. Sometimes it’s not worth getting into a confrontation when that’s exactly what she wants. These things can swiftly escalate.

No, I wouldn't have said anything. Sad little girl trying to act like she's clever in front of her friends. Tbh, I probably would have laughed but that's what having teenage children has done to me!

Little bitch. Nothing you could have said would have affected her so you did right

Pathetic little madam. No better than she ought to be, that one, as my mother would say.

Should’ve asked her if she felt better after getting that mouth diarrhoea out.

Nah, an eye roll was probably the best reaction.

Given a few more seconds to register what had happened I'm sure I could have retorted with something equally offensive based on the way she looked, but I suppose then I would be stooping to her level.

A chav is a good description however.

Not that it matters but I don't consider myself to be all that fat, I'm a size 10-12 and have not long had a baby so I don't think I'm doing too bad

Don't worry about it, you are what she longs to be. You are an independent woman going about your business. She was buying sweeties with money her Mammy gave her. Just shake your head and enjoy your little one.

You can't reason with people like that. It is unlikely that she is going to grown up and change, at 16/17 she should know how to talk to people. You came across a bitch, they exist, you behaved appropriately. No harm in being annoyed but don't focus on the turd.

I might've said something like:"Did you intend to appear so rude?" if I was in the right frame of mind. Most likely I would have done the same as you though. It's not always possible to think of the best response in the heat of the moment. And it probs wouldn't make a difference anyway.

Don't try for a witty put down, just chuckle to yourself and walk on. Don't even look back.

I did this last year when my short, round 54 year old body upset a young man. I laughed, shook my head and walked on. His mate said "That worked well" and started laughing, the mouthy young man stomped off shouting obscenities.

Don't confront, patronise and belittle without words!

The only thing like to have an effect bar a smack is saying ''take care, have a lovely day", but I doubt I'd have the presence of mind.

An eye roll is good.

Just that look, the slight down your nose 'who are you' an eye roll and carry on.

Takes the wind out of a bullies sails.

Ignore.

I was driving along yesterday and there was a bus in front of me. I saw a similar age group of boys on bikes cycling alongside the bus and trying to spit through the open windows, thinking it was hilarious.

In the past I would’ve been furious about it all day, but I’ve recently learned a great technique: when someone’s being a dick, ask yourself if you’d rather be that person than yourself. You quickly realise how sad and pathetic they are and actually (almost) feel sorry for them.

I think you gave the best response, OP. She was probably raging that you dismissed her, rather than appeared uncomfortable or aggressive. You will have taken the wind out of her sails in front of her mates.

"Your dm must be so proud"...
For next time.

I’d like to think I’d come back with remark that would put her in her place, but the reality is if I did, we’d probably end up in an argument.
You did well.

either ignore or "showing off for your little friends?"

Second thread where children are shouting insults at adults, something in the air?
I'd ignore 🙄

A good look up and down at her and a suppressed laugh would be my reaction. Then I would feel terrible and regret it afterwards as although she was very rude, who knows what her home life is like.

I think you did just fine.

I would have done the same, don't give it oxygen. She was looking for a reaction & if you had retorted it would have given her the opportunity to escalate the insults for the entertainment of her mates. I would just comfort myself with the thought that one day she will cringe at the shitty things she did. I called someone a cunt once when I was 15 & showing off It makes me cringe 30 odd years later.

It's not worth it, op. They might have piled in for a fight. Just keep quiet. Anybody who speaks like that isn't normal.

I would be pissed but no use fighting with teens.

Once a group of teens in nyc were talking loudly and rudely about my appearance on the subway. Then they starting throwing bits of paper at me and dh. my dh told them forcefully to stop and they physically attacked us on the train! Totally out of control teen girls!!! It was so insane!

Now I don't confront anyone in public bc who knows if they're crazy or not. (Also I'm petrified that they will pull out a gun! gotta love America...lol )