To have said something to these men?

[Earlscourttonight]

Coming home tonight from central London, I have a wait at a station and overhear two men in their 30s speak my mother tongue (European language). I tune in mindlessly, turns out one of them (let’s call him Allan) is expressing his joy of being in London and starting afresh so he can have sex with 16 year old girls. I move closer to make sure I didn’t misheard, they both keep going on about it. The friend (let’s call him Bob) then quotes the Prophet as justification. Eventually Allan locks eyes on me, and I say to him in our common language ‘Really, nice job rationalising your paedophilia’. I then repeat this in English as there were lots of people milling about and I thought this would give me some protection. (Nobody reacted)

Both of them then accuse me of having misunderstood the whole conversation, say I don’t understand the language (I understand it perfectly). Bob says they were only comparing what it’s like to get married at 16 versus 30. I say no, you were never talking about marriage, and besides who gets married at 16? That’s illegal. Bob then says he means falling in love. I say to him, I know what I heard (no mention of love whatsoever) and I have recorded the conversation (I hadn’t, but thought that might make them leave me alone - although I understood that it might also make them want to steal my phone - risk I was willing to take).

I then had an uncomfortable ride home as they were in my carriage, luckily they got off before me.

DH said I should not have engaged.

For context, I have a DD that age. I was also groomed and assaulted myself as a teen.

I just found them so repulsive, I had to say something - it was a visceral reaction. Maybe it will have been pointless, or maybe Allan will think twice before banging the next teen girl - I would count that as a win - not that I will ever know.

Now lying awake and wondering, what would you have done? I’m sure I could have handled it better but I don’t know how.

Please no Muslim baiting, I’m fairly certain from the conversation that Allan is not Muslim. Thank you

Well done for calling them out. They thought that because they weren't speaking English they wouldn't be understood and it came back to bite them on the arse.

Another well done here.

p.s. they are a tad dim, if they are in London ....

maybe Allan will think twice before banging the next teen girl - I would count that as a win - not that I will ever know.

I think you do know.

The thoughts/opinions of a random woman at a train station will make fuck all difference to this pervy piece of shit.

But well done anyway.

Incidentally, Google translate can open a while new world up on public transport if it can hear conversations so loud that you can.

I wouldn;t get involved. Depending on where you are, you put yourself in grave danger. Best to contact the secondary schools in your area to warn them to tell young girls what to look out for if approached by any men.

@NoBiscuitsLeftInMyTin why did you quote the whole OP?

About a decade ago I did similar to you at a bus stop. I hadn’t intended to for exactly the reasons some have mentioned but I just found myself unable to stay silent.

only as I opened my mouth did I suddenly realise how badly I had put myself in danger. I was at a bus stop in the dark (not late but winter) and I have potentially got myself killed or raped here! Then I thought get myself ready I’ll run into that restaurant if I need to.

two young adult men were chatting and using the word rape in the same way you’d say have sex with.

ALL NAMES MADE UP!

so oh ye Alan your right I’d definitely R her, she’s hot
or
im off out on Saturday Kevin I’m definitely going to R <woman’s name> I’ve been eyeing her up for weeks.
more similar conversation.

things like that, I have no idea if they were using that word thinking they were funny in the way other men would use shag or if I had happened upon something real.

I can’t remember exactly what I said but I properly pulled them up
I told them they were both disgusting, rape is disgusting. It is one of the absolute worst things a person can do to another person. rape is nothing to casually chat about never mind think it’s ok. I said a few other things but can’t remember the wording.

very luckily for me they both looked shame faced and started minimising. Trying to make out I had blown things out of proportion or had misunderstood, saying things like we weren’t being serious, we were only joking etc, to which I replied it’s not fucking funny.

then my bus came, I jumped on, they didn’t. I was so relieved they didn’t get on too!

i still can’t believe I was so stupid with my own safety! I don’t regret it though.

Hi, I just wanted to say huge thanks to everyone on this thread for your support and kind words, I feel very humbled. I’ve decided to try and put this out of my mind now as there’s nothing more I can do about it. Big hugs to everyone who has encountered similar things. Sadly as years go by I now know the world will never be safe for us women. 💐

Very brave of you OP, well done sticking up for girls! Those men are disgusting.