Teenagers these days!

[chinchilla]

I wanted to post a thread because I am REALLY angry about something that was said to me today.

I was walking down the High Street, and it was just after England had been knocked out, so loads of people were in town, obviously the worse for wear. I walked past a group of teenagers (about 17/18 years old) and as I got close to them, one of the girls said really loudly,

"F*cking teenage slut, having a child at her age."

At first, I didn't think she meant me, as I am actually 32 (!), so I didn't respond. Then I heard all her friends telling her to ssh. I turned round, and, yes, they were looking at me in an embarrassed but giggly way.

If I hadn't had ds with me, I would have gone after her and given her a piece of my mind, which is not usually like me. Usually I just get upset, but won't confront anyone. I was so angry that I shook for about 10 minutes afterwards.

My dh said that I should take it as a compliment that someone thought I was a teenager, but I don't think that is the point. What if I HAD been a teenager, would I have deserved that comment just for having a child? I might have been with someone for ages and not fallen pregnant by sleeping around. Even if I had, is it anyone's right to openly judge?

Writing this, I want to deck that girl! I know that she was drunk, but even so. At the risk of sounding even older than 32, it was only 10am, so what was she doing drunk?

As you can tell, I'm angry. I don't expect any replies...just wanted to let off steam!

Message withdrawn

chinchilla, you had every right to be angry. And I don't think being drunk is ever a valid excuse for anything. But it's just as well you didn't deck her, because that would have brought you down to her level. Just make sure that your children never grow up to be that type of teenager!
p.s. i wish anyone could possibly believe that I look like a teenager...especially in my fat pregnant state. My current paranoia is that people are looking at me and my very grey hair and thinking what is she doing having a baby at her age...that is, ancient (39).

Oh. I wouldn't have ever hit her. I would have said something pathetic like, "Actually, I'm 32 you know" before bursting into tears in front of her

No, I just FELT like hitting her. I know it would have brought me down to her level if I had, and besides, I'm not like that anyway.

Yes, I suppose I should be greatful that she didn't say something like, "What's an old cow like you doing with a baby"!!!! All I can suggest is that the alcohol made me look young and sexy, as I haven't been mistaken for a teenager since I was one! Actually, perhaps I should slip my dh some, and he may think I'm young and sexy too!

While leaving my mums a few weeks ago, we were about to drive off and a group of young teenagers walked past and peered in the car making funny faces and stuff.

As we turned round and came back the other way you could see them get unsettled and my dh just opened the window and told the girl that she shouldnt be out on the streets when she was so ugly. Not very nice I know but totally shocked them and embarrassed the girl. If I wasnt pregnant, I probably would have had her by the throat, so I suppose his approach was better.

You did the right think as she was probably expecting a reaction from you and thought she was being big. Very annoying but what a lovely hangover she probably had.

Chinchilla - sympathy. Just try to remember the teenager bit and forget the rest.

chinchilla - you really have my sympathy - I know what it is like to feel so mad! A few months ago dh and I popped up to the local co-op. He paid, putting his sunglasses down by the till, Quite a big group of teenagers (age 12 - 17 approx) hanging around. When he'd paid - no sign of sunglasses. The girls had since vacated the shop. We left, and saw the girls in a phonebox across the road - dh said he was going to ask them if they'd seen his glasses. Over he goea, and one of the girls is wearing them! He just retrieved them in a calm manner - I on the other hand, was fuming! An old lady with a laden shopping bag was stood next to them, so I couldn't help shouting over to her to watch out for the little thieves. They promptly walked over to our car - dh was by this time in the car, so saw nothing, but as I was getting into the car (slowly - didn't want to appear as if I was making a hasty retreat as I would happily have decked the lot of them!), one of the younger girls slapped me in the face! I was needless to say, dumbfounded - I was so angry, I fely I could have done serious harm, so I just got in the car, and dh drove off. I smiled and waved to them, which seemed to rile them a bit. Got home, STILL fuming, and just called our local police station to let them know what had occurred (theft and assault etc). Bloke on the line was so bored with the story, he was nearly asleep. Said he didn't know why I was ringing if I didn't want to press charges (I didn't) - what did he expect me to do?.....not sure really......

Leese, I totally sympathise. Something similar happened to my sister, and she was told by the police that it wasn't assault because the girl who hit her hadn't actually broken the skin! No injuries, no evidence that this girl had hit her across the face, so the police officer said.

Now I'm fuming on behalf of your sister Jbr!! Every time I think of this incident it makes me mad again! - maybe I need a little anger management...........

Chinchilla -- that's awful what they said to you. I'd be super upset, too.

Most of all they were just taking the piss out of you because you aren't a teenager, and that's the sort of thing "adults" say to them. I probably can't explain this very well. But that's why it's a funny remark (to them). The irony of it. They're literally pretending to be grownups.

I've had teenagers around here just jump forward and spit at me. No reason. I just happened to be a convenient target. I can't figure out if it's me getting old or if teenagers "up north" really are that much rougher & tougher.

I actually feel very intimidated by some of the local kids and things got so bad in our street that we had a public/police meeting to sort it out. We were told by the police inspector to report everything no matter how trivial and even if it was too late for a response. This way, the complaints would be logged and show where there were problems. Our local police force now has a special initiative to target rowdy youths so they will clamp down on such behaviour. If you don't report a problem then they don't always get to know about it so you did the right thing, Leese.

I think it is a sign of the times that there are so many disrespectful teenagers (and younger) around. At that age myself and none of my friends would have ever dreamed of hitting someone or even being so rude.

Chinchilla, I know it was horrible but you really should take it as a compliment, if her ugly behaviour is anything to go by, she will probably look like the back end of a bus by the time she is 32

Don't think it's just up north zebra - we're South West....