Is this school mum trying to intimidate me??

[WayUpHigh1]

This sounds really weird but I’ve had a few encounters with this school mum now and every time I’ve seen him it happens. Few times outside the school gates and one time in a shop near the school. She seems to be quite loud and ‘out there’. Anyway, she will just be walking normally and then when she sees me she will purposefully come towards me and into my path and block me walking and I have to go around and then she said ‘oh sorry’ with a laugh in her voice. First time it happened I just thought nothing of it but it keeps happening.

She’s playing Chicken and you’re losing. Stop moving to the side and try to look engaged with something else or look through her. Hold your ground.

It’s either some sort of intimidation or she’s socially inept. Either way, don’t engage. Blank stare, get on with your life. If it comes to it be ready to say a clearly-pissed-off “Can you leave me alone please?”

She sounds either unhinged or dog rough to be honest.

I've no idea what you can do in this situation. I'd be tempted to carry on walking and say loudly 'watch where you're going now or you'll walk into somebody' and then laugh in the hope she will be embarrassed and will leave you alone?

Ask if she is having vision issues?

Walk down the path with sunglasses on while looking at your phone. Prepare for a potential impact and say sorry with a snigger if it happens 😁. She'll likely move at the last minute. Don't be intimidated.

Is she 12?

She sounds ridiculous but obviously wants attention

Who’s him?

Sunglasses are a great idea actually

I'd just look at her and say 'oh look, here you are AGAIN! Are you ok??'

Just walk off

Trying to intimidate you sounds less likely than poor vision, bad spatial awareness, or just one of those people who never gets the sidestep dance on the pavement right. I mean, why would she be trying to intimidate you? Have you ever had a conversation with her? Or do you live in a world where strangers randomly try to assert dominance over other parents on the school run by playing 'Who steps aside?' chicken?

She sounds like a tool I agree I would walk right into her and look at my phone! Sorry some weird people in this world. She sounds like she is trying to intimidate you - possibly jealousy or might want to make friends with you.

Sorry, meant to say her. I’d think it was one of the other things but she’s walking fine just straight but as soon as she sees me coming she heads towards my path and she seems to find it funny when I have to move round her. I know it sounds strange but it really does seem like she does it on purpose

@OriginalUsername2 has the perfect advice. Just stand your ground.

Stand your ground and ask her ‘Did you think you could walk through me?’

Just stop dead and stare straight into her eyes with your eyebrows raised. She'll have no option but to swerve or barge into you. If she barges, put on your best Oscar winning performance and fall over, shrieking in pain. Say loudly in a VERY hurt voice "Amanda, WHY DID YOU JUST PUSH ME OVER????? You walked right into me!!!". If you can add a sob or tear, even better. Make her look like the bully she is.

I did this. 3 people came to help me and told her they'd seen what she did and told her to be a bit more bloody careful in future. She now avoids me like the plague.

Stop where you are and wave Ather with both hands “Hellooooooo Hermioneeeeee” and when she looks at you big grin and “just letting you know I’m here so you won’t walk into me again, you’re always a million miles away in the morning, aren’t you?”

Bet she won’t do it again…

I'm a fan of not moving and then saying with a laugh 'ohhh you dancing'

And if she does is again something like 'we must stop meeting like this, people will start talking' but simply not move.

I also like the head down and just walk into her

Don’t move and say loudly “are you drunk?” Preferably loud enough so all the other parents hear.

As much as I would want to do what @Universal99 has said 🤣

This would really confuse and annoy me.
I'd try walking as I normally do, but as soon as I clocked she's coming 'for me' I would stop dead in my tracks. She'll either veer off, or what - continue then stop there waiting for me to move? THEN WORDS COULD BE HAD!!!

PS.
The only similar thing I've experienced to this was a male stranger on the same tram platform as me. He was strolling up and down and I was stood off to one side on my phone, when I became aware that he was purposely coming 'my way' despite me occasionally shifting a few steps this way or that to move. On his final lap he sped up and then barged me, muttering something (very charming and erudite, I assume) before scarpering away off the platform. I really wish I had had the chance to confront him.

I would just stop and wait for her to move around me or walk into me.

I'm a regular gym goer and a pretty solid wall to walk into, it would definitely hurt her more than me if she walked into me.

Maybe I've read this wrong and she's just got some issues.

However, from what you've said, Shes amusing herself. She's a bully. I'm guessing she's got a follower or two to observe her antics and she's dying for a confrontation.

I think that she's got an expectation of seeing you so she can carry on her antics and as a first try I think it would be better to change your timings slightly so that you can avoid her and break the cycle so she tires of waiting and finds some other way to entertain herself.

Out of sight out of mind might be enough to shake her off. I'd try that first before challenging her. It may sound a bit cowardly, but its a first step.

The other thing is safety in numbers. Can you find some other mums to walk with? She is less likely to try this if you are in a group. They would also be good witnesses.
You could also try grey rock. She's looking for a reaction, so don't give it, as others have said, Sunglasses, iphone earbuds, conversation with other mums... act as if she is invisible.

Have a word with the school too, and let them know. You might not be the only one. if you feel they are approachable.

She sounds like an idiot, cross the road when you see her!

Just look her in the eye and say loudly "What a strange woman you are" laugh and walk away. She sounds like an idiot, treat her like one.

Weird! But I wouldn't get sassy with her personally, I'd just say excuse me and ignore her. She'll get bored of you not reacting

I like to think about what peoples motives are and it sounds like she's trying to taunt you and get you to say or do something. Life's to short! Let her play her games and I wouldn't worry about it. Good luck!