To have laid in to this old man?

[knobheadex]

Something happened to me yesterday and I've been stewing on it ever since.

It's 3pm and I'm on the way to pick up the kids from school. I nip in the the local garage because I'm slightly early and need to pick up a few things anyway.

It's pretty busy so I wait my turn in the queue. When I get to the front I ask the friendly young guy for some low nicotine e-liquid. As part of the chat I mention how I usually buy Elf Bars but I'm trying to quit vaping now. Suddenly I'm aware of someone behind me shouting something, so I spun round to see what's going on. There's a tall, rotund white haired man standing at the back of the queue booming 'They'll all kill your anyway, love!'

I reply that I'm aware it's not healthy and that's why I'm trying to quit before turning back to pay for my stuff and get the hell out of there. But he's still shouting 'I don't drink and I've never smoked! You know why??! Because I'm the boss of this!' And he proceeds to tap the side of his head. 'I can do anything I put my mind to!'

I say 'thank you very much for the unsolicited advice random man' and carry on with the transaction. But he won't shut up. He's really belittling me now and suggesting that I am weak willed and pathetic for being addicted to something. I'm done paying now and turn to leave and he's yelling at me that his wife has emphysema because she smoked 40 a day. I say loudly 'Now I feel doubly sorry for your wife' and march towards the door.

He's still going, although I'm not sure exactly what he's shouting about now but I'm raging by this point. Who does he think he is? Would he be saying all of this to a man buying cigarettes? So I get to the door and then shout back at him 'Can do anything apparently, but can't mind your own fucking business or put down the pies long enough to drop a few inches off that waistband of yours'.

A few people in the queue gasped and I left feeling like I'd gone too far. Did I? Or did he deserve it, just a little bit?

I have an image of the OP and the Man in that line of fish. I am just not sure where OP or the Man are in the positioning. According to this thread, OP is eating the Man, but unaware OP is just about to be eaten by another bigger fish.

Thoughtful observation.

It's happened, don't worry. I've been put in my place by someone quicker and smarter many times over the years.

Whereas now he’s going to tell everyone he meets about the gobby cow in the petrol station and they’ll all sympathise with him. Is that better?

Well, those aren't always the only two options are they.

Silence is a very powerful response. It's worth trying

tbh I spent my twenties be awkwardly silent when being catcalled, rubbed up against on the tube, listening to rants by men about feminism 'going too far', being given sexist compliments and advice I didn't want. I personally wouldn't want that man to walk away triumphantly thinking he'd put the silly woman in her place.

I wouldn't have called him fat/sworn but would have grinned and said 'Stop offering me advice I didn't ask for you irrelevant bore".

Whereas now he’s going to tell everyone he meets about the gobby cow in the petrol station and they’ll all sympathise with him. Is that better?

Also, they'd only sympathise with him if he lied, unless they're similarly hard of thinking.

Imagine if he came on here and said AIBU a woman in the petrol station yelled at me becasue I politely told her several times from across the room that she's weak and addicted and I've never drunk or smoked and I'm in control of myself

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Tbh I'd have just completely ignored him but I think it's understandable to snap at someone who is shouting abuse at you.

Well done. If people feel the need to dish it out they should be prepared to get some back.
what business was it of his what you were buying.
I bet he shut up after that didn’t he.
Attention seeking twat.
dementia my foot, he was a dick.
I would have applauded you if I’d been there op.

He was being a nosey parker, and rude. As he was banging on about his immense willpower, it was brilliant to point out his girth. I wish I was that quick-witted but I never think of retorts until long after the situation. And I’d likely be too cowardly anyway. 🙄