I Just Scolded Two Teenagers

[Utah]

Two high school students were walking down the sidewalk and they walked passed a blind man and didn't move aside for him. The blind man literally moved out of their way. Then 30 seconds later they walked passed an elderly couple and the woman had to move out of their way.

I walked up to them and asked them if they were crazy and informed them of what they just did. They apologized and said they were looking down at the ground and didn't realize what they did. I saw what happened and they were not looking down at the ground. I told them they were better than that then walked away. I never raised my voice but I put a little fear in them and now I feel bad.

 

[PeterJens]

Two high school students were walking down the sidewalk and they walked passed a blind man and didn't move aside for him. The blind man literally moved out of their way. Then 30 seconds later they walked passed an elderly couple and the woman had to move out of their way.

I walked up to them and asked them if they were crazy and informed them of what they just did. They apologized and said they were looking down at the ground and didn't realize what they did. I saw what happened and they were not looking down at the ground. I told them they were better than that then walked away. I never raised my voice but I put a little fear in them and now I feel bad.

It is always difficult to tell someone off, but if you do not point it out some never notice.
It is always difficult to be assertive and yet not appear to be looking down on someone.

I have been surprised to hear how many fragile people are attacked and assaulted just because they cannot fight back.
Grand Theft Auto game encourages this behaviour, which is one reason why I have never played it, it is just too brutish. I find it amazing how people have forgotton in the little things if you do not show care it often becomes not in the big things also.

 

[Utah]

It is always difficult to tell someone off, but if you do not point it out some never notice.
It is always difficult to be assertive and yet not appear to be looking down on someone.

I have been surprised to hear how many fragile people are attacked and assaulted just because they cannot fight back.
Grand Theft Auto game encourages this behaviour, which is one reason why I have never played it, it is just too brutish. I find it amazing how people have forgotton in the little things if you do not show care it often becomes not in the big things also.

Amen to this. Great wisdom here, Peter. Thank you.

 

[pwrnJC]

Naw...don't feel bad..I applaud you. My wife and I watched several teenagers seated on a bus while an elderly lady was forced to stand and hold onto a rail the best she could. Both of us stood up and gave our seats over to two standing elderly passengers (and we are in our 60's). We never spoke to the teens, but our eyes burned through them! In your case, you handled yourself very well. Sadly, in today's world, parents do not teach the 'old school" manners anymore.

 

[Utah]

Naw...don't feel bad..I applaud you. My wife and I watched several teenagers seated on a bus while an elderly lady was forced to stand and hold onto a rail the best she could. Both of us stood up and gave our seats over to two standing elderly passengers (and we are in our 60's). We never spoke to the teens, but our eyes burned through them! In your case, you handled yourself very well. Sadly, in today's world, parents do not teach the 'old school" manners anymore.

Thanks, brother. I appreciate your kind words and applaud you for your actions as well.

 

[PoetMary]

I work with teens for a living...they are both resilient and self-involved. It's extremely possible that the weren't meaning to be rude, but that it genuinely never occurred to them to make way for someone else. Unfortunately, many children are trained today to believe that the world makes way for them.

You may have been stern with them. Stern enough, as a stranger to inspire a little fear....but they'll live. In fact, it likely will make them more conscious of others. Most teens are wicked...just unlearned. And, as Maya Angelou says, "When we know better, we do better."

 

[Joidevivre]

It might also help if the elderly began asking for help. Like the woman standing on a bus might look at the teenagers and ask if they would let her have their seat.

Most teenagers just don't think about it. And I believe most would be glad to give up their seat if they were asked.

 

[Willie-T]

Nothing to feel bad about. My wife was doing "door duty" at our church, and asked a teenager to wait a few minutes before entering due to a prayer going on. He ignored her and pushed his way on in. When I located him later, I assured him, in no uncertain terms, that I would make him one of the sorriest kids in our church if I ever heard of him disrespecting my wife again. I thought he was going to faint, dead away, right there on the spot.

 

[Willie-T]

It might also help if the elderly began asking for help. Like the woman standing on a bus might look at the teenagers and ask if they would let her have their seat.

Most teenagers just don't think about it. And I believe most would be glad to give up their seat if they were asked.

I'm sorry, but that should never have to happen.

 

[OldSouledHippie]

I have no problem pointing out to kids (some even older than I) how they disrespected their elders. I grew up knowing to respect them.

 

[blue_ladybug]

Two high school students were walking down the sidewalk and they walked passed a blind man and didn't move aside for him. The blind man literally moved out of their way. Then 30 seconds later they walked passed an elderly couple and the woman had to move out of their way.

I walked up to them and asked them if they were crazy and informed them of what they just did. They apologized and said they were looking down at the ground and didn't realize what they did. I saw what happened and they were not looking down at the ground. I told them they were better than that then walked away. I never raised my voice but I put a little fear in them and now I feel bad.

Some teenagers are rude, badly behaved brats. You did the right thing, Utah. A little fear put into them today, might put some respect into them the next time they encounter a blind person or an elderly couple. I think you handled the situation just fine, though you should have told them you saw them and knew they weren't looking down.

 

[kaylagrl]

It might also help if the elderly began asking for help. Like the woman standing on a bus might look at the teenagers and ask if they would let her have their seat.

Most teenagers just don't think about it. And I believe most would be glad to give up their seat if they were asked.

No you think about it if you are brought up to think that way. I would never sit in a seat when an elderly,disabled,mother with child needed a seat. Yes, as a teenager too.I was brought up that way.

 

[coby]

It might also help if the elderly began asking for help. Like the woman standing on a bus might look at the teenagers and ask if they would let her have their seat.

Most teenagers just don't think about it. And I believe most would be glad to give up their seat if they were asked.

I once was in a bus, was 24 or something and it was morning so I was half sleeping. A few old ladies came in but I didn't see them, had my eyes closed. I heard them wawawawawa look at the youth nowadays. Lol normally I stood up for everyone, but I just remained seated. Good luck! I once asked a woman if she wanted my seat. She said: oh but I'm only 70 years old. I thought: yeah that's why I asked. She didn't want to LOL.

 

[kaylagrl]

Two high school students were walking down the sidewalk and they walked passed a blind man and didn't move aside for him. The blind man literally moved out of their way. Then 30 seconds later they walked passed an elderly couple and the woman had to move out of their way.

I walked up to them and asked them if they were crazy and informed them of what they just did. They apologized and said they were looking down at the ground and didn't realize what they did. I saw what happened and they were not looking down at the ground. I told them they were better than that then walked away. I never raised my voice but I put a little fear in them and now I feel bad.

Seriously,do not feel bad. Teens and kids these days are brought up with no manners.I remember a time that if you forgot your manners and your parents weren't there an adult nearby would remind you! I was in a restaurant standing by a fountain full of fish. A boy about 10yrs old spit in the water!! I didn't even stop to think,I said "don't do that,that is nasty!" He took off running and I expected a parent to come over to have a chat with me. Luckily my husband is 6'4 and 220.lol Young people need to be called on the carpet for bad behavior. I use to attend a church that when we would have pot luck suppers the teens would jump in front of all the adults. Finally I spoke to one of the ladies that put the meal on the table and said that it needed to stop. They had to make an announcement,in church,with their parents there watching the ignorant behavior!! No,don't feel bad at all. Young people need to be taught manners.If no one speaks up the behavior continues. Do not feel bad! Sorry,a pet peeve of mine,getting off the soap box now.

 

[Txroads]

Two high school students were walking down the sidewalk and they walked passed a blind man and didn't move aside for him. The blind man literally moved out of their way. Then 30 seconds later they walked passed an elderly couple and the woman had to move out of their way.

I walked up to them and asked them if they were crazy and informed them of what they just did. They apologized and said they were looking down at the ground and didn't realize what they did. I saw what happened and they were not looking down at the ground. I told them they were better than that then walked away. I never raised my voice but I put a little fear in them and now I feel bad.

Hoss I didn't see nobody else going up to them.... Dang you must be the only one in that whole city!!...... You did good.... Think of it this way, you didn't put fear in them you made them think.... If not about what they were doin then at least maybe... Shoot whose watchin next time..... High five brother!!

 

[Utah]

Nothing to feel bad about. My wife was doing "door duty" at our church, and asked a teenager to wait a few minutes before entering due to a prayer going on. He ignored her and pushed his way on in. When I located him later, I assured him, in no uncertain terms, that I would make him one of the sorriest kids in our church if I ever heard of him disrespecting my wife again. I thought he was going to faint, dead away, right there on the spot.

Somehow I knew you'd understand, Willie. Thank you. And good for you having your wife's back.

 

[LiJo]

Two high school students were walking down the sidewalk and they walked passed a blind man and didn't move aside for him. The blind man literally moved out of their way. Then 30 seconds later they walked passed an elderly couple and the woman had to move out of their way.

I walked up to them and asked them if they were crazy and informed them of what they just did. They apologized and said they were looking down at the ground and didn't realize what they did. I saw what happened and they were not looking down at the ground. I told them they were better than that then walked away. I never raised my voice but I put a little fear in them and now I feel bad.

I agree with everyone, you shouldn't feel bad, what you did was honorable. I feel kids these days lack discipline and common courtesy; they have the "Me" attitude and no considerations for anyone else. Quite sad really.

 

[Utah]

Hoss I didn't see nobody else going up to them.... Dang you must be the only one in that whole city!!...... You did good.... Think of it this way, you didn't put fear in them you made them think.... If not about what they were doin then at least maybe... Shoot whose watchin next time..... High five brother!!

High five back at you, Brother. Thank you. I truly hope and pray they will begin to think.

 

[Utah]

I agree with everyone, you shouldn't feel bad, what you did was honorable. I feel kids these days lack discipline and common courtesy; they have the "Me" attitude and no considerations for anyone else. Quite sad really.

That, my Lady, is exactly why I said something. We're dealing with an entire generation here, but maybe we can all make a difference, one kid at a time. Thank you as always.

 

[PeterJens]

I'm sorry, but that should never have to happen.

It is an interesting point. It made me think about not the outer shell but the inner heart of the teenager. There are a lot of abused and picked on kids out there, who grow up in difficult and unloving households. When you see anyone not showing appropriate respect to those around it is because something is not working properly inside them.

In london some schizophrenics have been challenged on their behaviour and they have murdered the people involved, and sometimes instigate a response to get into a fight. My general response now is to stay neutral unless I am aware of something that can give me insight. I had two youngsters come up to me and try and intimidate me about the did I have a light. They were naive but looking for theft. As they could not make me out, they did not push it, and I just ignored them and played it on the level. I know some who would just have buckled, because some believe it is a known outcome.

Equally if things go bad, some have tried to fight and died rather than just play along, and let the insanity work out.
One young man was involved in a credit card theft of someone I worked with. They got caught, and charged. They had booked a holiday, which they went on, but then commited suicide. What a mess. When Jesus said do not resist the evil people, he was pointing to the fact most are really mucked up inside, and it can help to reach out to them by going the extra mile.