# I was threatened?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 30, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235 "2012-01-30T22:39:49Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/21 "2012-01-31T17:59:37Z")
> [@Soggot](#):
>
> Anyway, this guy got mad because I called him a fat ginger and posted this on his Facebook publicly so everyone could see it. “If anyone knows (my name) plese inform her of this message. FUCK U. U STUPID CUNT BITCH WHOUR. U FUCKIN SAY ONE MORE THING ABOUT ME I WILL PERSONALY FUCK U UP YOU STUPED BITCH I WILL BEET YOUR WHORE MOUTH IN AND ALL UR FUCKING FRIENDS TWO.”
If nothing else, I’m relieved to see that the educational system in the UK has managed to maintain such high standards while schools in the US have suffered.
---
### Author:  [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/22 "2012-01-31T18:01:47Z")
> [@Hairy\_Bob](#):
>
> I think the insultive-ness of the word ginger may have been overstated somewhat. I’ve lived in the UK the past 25 years, and can think of at least 5 people I know/have known who were/are nicknamed ginger/ginger (name), and would be called that by friends, colleagues and family (though not teachers istr).
> It’s certainly nothing like as offensive as nigger, though in fairness I did go to school with a lad we called nigger, with no hint of malice, it was just his nickname.
>
> On topic, I’d suggest filing a police report, possibly through parents if you feel that’s necessary. At the very least you’ve got a black and white record that you’ve been threatened, if things do escalate and you need to defend yourself.
Like most insults, it all depends on who is saying it and under what context.
I’m a ginger. I have many memories of, shall we say, unpleasantry regarding it from my youth.
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### Author:  [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/23 "2012-01-31T18:06:18Z")
> [@Soggot](#):
>
> BACKGROUND INFO: I am a female. The one that put that on his Facebook is a male. I am 16, He is 19. I think his girlfriend may be 17. Oh yeah, and to make it even more sad, I’m 4"11 and 98 pounds.
Where the heck are your parents? Sounds to me like they should be monitoring your Facebook account.
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### Author:  [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/24 "2012-01-31T18:15:21Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#):
>
> BTW, your OP is way more funny if you read it in an Eric Cartman voice.
As soon as I saw the word “ginger” my brain switched into Cartmans voice and it was funny to read.
Also I don’t think it’s been mentioned but “ginger” isn’t really an insult here in America like it is in the UK. I’ve even heard of their being beatdowns on the poor fat ginger kids.
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### Author:  [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/25 "2012-01-31T18:44:05Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> You brought this on yourself by confronting this guy with name calling. But you don’t deserve the threats. Call the police. If it’s a real threat you shouldn’t be concerned with what happens to them.
>
> You should also ask to have this moved to a different forum.
She did not bring it on herself. They were calling her names first.
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### Author:  [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/26 "2012-01-31T18:53:09Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#):
>
> She did not bring it on herself. They were calling her names first.
> [@Soggot](#):
>
> there was even a point where he stopped saying stuff to me but I still said it to him. (Which is immature, I know but I was sort of…pissed). Anyway, this guy got mad because I called him a fat ginger
So he started it and then stopped it, and she kept going. But they started it, so it’s ok?
What, are you in high school or something? 😛
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### Author:  [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/27 "2012-01-31T18:54:18Z")
> [@Hairy\_Bob](#):
>
> On topic, I’d suggest filing a police report, possibly through parents if you feel that’s necessary. At the very least you’ve got a black and white record that you’ve been threatened, if things do escalate and you need to defend yourself.
I would also suggest asking the police and your school what you can and cannot legally carry for your protection. And stop apologizing to these assholes. It will only make it worse. They probably enjoy the idea of making you grovel to them.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/28 "2012-01-31T19:06:20Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#):
>
> She did not bring it on herself. They were calling her names first.
Pretty much what\*\* Lurker \*\*said. Or more simply, don’t insult people who will hurt you. If you aren’t very big, the wise move is to insult no one. I can throw in that she didn’t make three lefts as well. She brought this on herself. That doesn’t justify the fat guy and his friends’ actions.
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### Author:  [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/29 "2012-01-31T19:09:46Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#):
>
> If nothing else, I’m relieved to see that the educational system in the UK has managed to maintain such high standards while schools in the US have suffered.
I don’t think the OP is in the UK. I doubt any sixteen year old in the UK would give her weight in pounds. Or use the words Principal and minivan. Or use pissed in that context. The ginger bit certainly sounds right for the UK, but those other parts do not.
Well, to me, anyway.
As for the OP. Sorry, I have no idea what advice to give to teenagers about Facebook, apart from the obvious. Get off it.
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### Author:  [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/30 "2012-01-31T19:16:59Z")
[junior\_modding]
Welcome to the straight dope message boards Soggot! It is usually customary to provide a link when referencing something. [Here](http://community.secondlife.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/18325iE6B7EF015DFEFDE6/image-size/large?v=mpbl-1&px=600)[are](http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/fat-ginger-kid.jpg)[some](http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/188143_186362638082155_8057793_n.jpg)[links](http://aljahom.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/image.png?w=299&h=228) I dug up for you on [fat gingers](http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2011/8/21/eba063fb-0da4-45af-b5e6-e5c547e1c419.jpg), so that those unfamiliar with the concept can see what you are talking about. Enjoy your stay!
[/junior\_modding]
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### Author:  [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/31 "2012-01-31T19:19:56Z")
> [@Dublin11](#):
>
> I don’t think the OP is in the UK. I doubt any sixteen year old in the UK would give her weight in pounds. Or use the words Principal and minivan. Or use pissed in that context. The ginger bit certainly sounds right for the UK, but those other parts do not.
> Well, to me, anyway.
>
> As for the OP. Sorry, I have no idea what advice to give to teenagers about Facebook, apart from the obvious. Get off it.
You’re right! In the UK they use the words headmasters and trollywagons. Nice catch! And they measure weight in Tea and Biscuits (TBs)
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/32 "2012-01-31T19:53:41Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#):
>
> I would also suggest asking the police and your school what you can and cannot legally carry for your protection.
I’m willing to bet quite a lot that the answer to that is nothing. You are not allowed to bring weapons into schools. I will refrain from further comment.
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### Author:  [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/33 "2012-01-31T21:59:28Z")
> [@Loach](#):
>
> I’m willing to bet quite a lot that the answer to that is nothing. You are not allowed to bring weapons into schools. I will refrain from further comment.
Actually, I was thinking more in terms of a cell phone or an alarm device. But since the subject of weapons has been brought up, plenty of none “weapon” items can be quite useful for self-defense and it would be difficult to forbid them on a campus or public transportation. When I had to use public transportation a lot, I use to fill an aluminum water bottle 3/4 of the way and let it freeze overnight. Officially, this was so I could have nice cool water later in the day. Unofficially, well, ever read “Lamb to Slaughter”?
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### Author:  [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/34 "2012-01-31T22:49:17Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#):
>
> Actually, I was thinking more in terms of a cell phone or an alarm device. But since the subject of weapons has been brought up, plenty of none “weapon” items can be quite useful for self-defense and it would be difficult to forbid them on a campus or public transportation. When I had to use public transportation a lot, I use to fill an aluminum water bottle 3/4 of the way and let it freeze overnight. Officially, this was so I could have nice cool water later in the day. Unofficially, well, ever read “Lamb to Slaughter”?
If she hits the guy with something (even a non-weapon, like her fists) on school premises, _even if it’s in self-defense_, there’s a very real possibility that she could be punished and suspended. Upgrade that to expelled if she hits him with a textbook or frozen water bottle or keys stuck between her fingers like brass knuckles. None of these items are traditional weapons, but that doesn’t mean an average school’s zero-tolerance policy wouldn’t classify them as weapons after the fact (due to intent).
I don’t think it’s a good idea for the OP to arm herself. It would be better to file a police report (they can scare the kid away from her) and never walk around the school by herself, if she can help it. Carrying a loud alarmakazam doohickey certainly wouldn’t hurt, but I can’t imagine it being very effective. Kids in high school already know when a fight is going on nearby (and often, they’re busy chanting “fight!fight!fight!”). It’s not likely that somebody would step in to help her just because she pressed a button on a dongle and it started shrieking. Someone who would step in (like maybe a bigger, stronger male with a sense of chivalry) would do so whether she had an alarmakazam or not.
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### Author:  [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/35 "2012-01-31T23:05:54Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#):
>
> If she hits the guy with something (even a non-weapon, like her fists) on school premises, _even if it’s in self-defense_, there’s a very real possibility that she could be punished and suspended. Upgrade that to expelled if she hits him with a textbook or frozen water bottle or keys stuck between her fingers like brass knuckles. None of these items are traditional weapons, but that doesn’t mean an average school’s zero-tolerance policy wouldn’t classify them as weapons after the fact (due to intent).
>
> I don’t think it’s a good idea for the OP to arm herself. It would be better to file a police report (they can scare the kid away from her) and never walk around the school by herself, if she can help it. Carrying a loud alarmakazam doohickey certainly wouldn’t hurt, but I can’t imagine it being very effective. Kids in high school already know when a fight is going on nearby (and often, they’re busy chanting “fight!fight!fight!”). It’s not likely that somebody would step in to help her just because she pressed a button on a dongle and it started shrieking. Someone who would step in (like maybe a bigger, stronger male with a sense of chivalry) would do so whether she had an alarmakazam or not.
The OP has to be alive in order for the school to punish or suspend her. At the point at which someone is being attacked, the issue is no longer avoiding the zero-tolerance poiicy, the issue is how to stay alive.
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### Author:  [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/36 "2012-01-31T23:28:40Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#):
>
> The OP has to be alive in order for the school to punish or suspend her. At the point at which someone is being attacked, the issue is no longer avoiding the zero-tolerance poiicy, the issue is how to stay alive.
Cause it’s not like they are all high school kids talking shit back and forth, they are GLADIATORS.
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### Author:  [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)
#### Post date: [February 1, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/37 "2012-02-01T00:31:12Z")
I’m not getting a death-threat vibe from the OP. I witnessed some pretty heinous fights in school (I particularly remember one between two girls in the locker room–plenty of lost hair and blood in that one), but nobody was ever trying to kill their opponent.
> [@LurkerInNJ](#):
>
> Cause it’s not like they are all high school kids talking shit back and forth, they are GLADIATORS.
🆒
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [February 1, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/38 "2012-02-01T00:50:40Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#):
>
> I’m not getting a death-threat vibe from the OP. I witnessed some pretty heinous fights in school (I particularly remember one between two girls in the locker room–plenty of lost hair and blood in that one), but nobody was ever trying to kill their opponent.
How long ago did you go to high school?
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### Author:  [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)
#### Post date: [February 1, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/39 "2012-02-01T21:31:50Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> How long ago did you go to high school?
Class of 2003.
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### Author:  [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)
#### Post date: [February 1, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-threatened/611235/40 "2012-02-01T21:53:30Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#):
>
> Cause it’s not like they are all high school kids talking shit back and forth, they are GLADIATORS.
People in my middle school occasionally killed and hospitalized each other in fights.
Note there were gangs involved, but nonetheless kids can do very real damage to each other.
OP needs to get police involved.
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