Around my way, there are many young people. Gangs of Youths, as I like to call them. With nothing better to of an evening and being too young to go to the pub, their main sport is hanging around and shouting at people. Mostly they shout random vowel sounds: “EEUUUUUUUAAAA”. But occasionally it’s intelligible.
Because I can often be found cycling around on a purple bicycle with a little basket on the front while wearing a floursecent yellow waterproof jacket, I am often the target of their vowely ministrations. Today one of them roared like a lion at me. I don’t know why.
I can never think of anything to say in reply. Bearing in mind there is usually one of me and six or seven of them, I’m not about to start telling them where to go. But I would like to do something other than just feel Harrassed By Youths.
Help me dopers. Think of things I can say in reply.
I usually get heckled when jogging. “Ey lady, have you lost weight already?” “Go faster!” Stuff like that. Problem is, when you’re jogging, you’re too fast: By the time you think of something appropriate you’re long past the culprit. Since you’re cycling I’d think you’d have the same problem since going back to yell something seems kind of silly. Though the last time I got heckled I kept getting the mental picture of jogging back to look the hoodlum square in the eye and kick him as hard as I can in the shin. That would have taught him a lesson.
Since I spose I am one of the youth, I should know exactly what to do…but…those kind of people annoy me too. And I don’t do it. Since, apparetly, I was born with common sense. I think a swift kick in the groin, or a hearty “F*ck You!” might do the trick. If not just ignore them. Or…the worst thing that can happen to a teen…CALL. THEIR. PARENTS.
A small friendly smile disconcerts the heck out of most such idjuts. A few of the less challenged might even begin to think “She’s nice, perhaps I am being a jerk?”.
I would think that Kymodoce is on the right track. Don’t say anything, but make eye contact as you approach and a give small wave as you ride by. The fist couple times would probably elicit laughter, but if you do this consistently, they’ll crack.
Just consider it your own version of heckling back.
Another way to deal with them would take some planning. If you could conspire to have some girls about the same age as them nearby when they start up. After they make their noises, the girls then whisper amoung themselves, giggle at the boys, then walk away, maybe with an imitation or two of the boys thrown in.
