Dealing with Random Verbal Abuse from Strangers

I just got into it with a stranger who was driving and didn't slow down like he was supposed to even though I was a pedestrian already in the crosswalk. He was turning into the plaza as I was using the crosswalk and we both hesitated but the default rule is to wait for pedestrians. But after all, he continued rolling passed me as I was half way thru the cross walk when he said out his window "pay attention ..blah blah". thats all I heard because before I knew it, I was shouting back at this car "no you pay attention, you're supposed to slow down for pedestrians" he was still driving but he stopped and put his car in reverse and started to "follow" me to argue. I was just going to my own car not too far into the parking lot. He stops and looks at me while I'm arguing back and they starts to insult my appearance. I was just running errands so I was in some flare yoga pants and a hoodie. My hair was poofy because I had just gotten it freshly colored that morning and it had been blow dried. I wasn't wearing makeup, so apparently he thought I looked like I was "on drugs" he asked me several times if I was high and I said what are you talking about and then he started laughing and calling me a tweaker or junkie. I was so insulted. I'm a woman, he was a man and just because I didn't dress for his gaze (the male gaze) while running errands, he concluded I looked so bad that I was on drugs? I'm so embarrassed and annoyed that this happened. All because he didn't want to slow down for a pedestrian in the cross walk? I can't help but feel like this is some kind of karma from the universe because I do admit that sometimes I am not the most patient or nice person out in public, but I never throw personal insults at people. If I am complaining or verbalizing my displeasure, it is directed at the situation itself rather than personal insults at the participating parties. For example, all I rebuttled back to him was that he needed to be the one to pay attention and later I told him he was very rude for saying I looked like a tweaker. He even pulled out his phone like he was going to start recording the altercation but I drove off hopefully not giving him enough time to make a decent video. I could have insulted him back, but he went straight for personal attacks and it hurt my feelings. I should not have to be insulted just for running errands while not being all done up.

I can only speak from my own experiences of random verbal abuse. Would also like to add I do not condone voilence for the sake of it.
I live in a deprived area with high instances of anti-social behaviour. Some people will porously go out to instigate verbal abuse including as a pretext for violence. Literally responding is, in their eyes, an attack on their person. No, this is not in any way logical - you are not dealing with logical people, or logical situations; you're dealing with wannabe bullies and cowards with personal issues who are, thankfully often easy to spot.
Sometimes the hardest thing to deal with is actually yourself. You may question whether you are doing the right thing by ignoring the abuse or trying to deal with it in a non-aggressive manner, or responding in kind. We each have our own demons and bourdons.
I have myself been in unfortunate situations where I have had no choice but to respond to violence with violence. I couldn't walk or run away. Not one single time however was I arrested because I adopt strict rules which I can only attest to age and experience:
1. Ignore them
2. If they continue to be a threat, tell them to go away. You have that right. Walk away.
3. Should they persist again, ORDER them to stay out your space and to no assault you –now walk away whilst keeping a close eye on their movements. If they're angry then so be it - you are protecting yourself here, physically and lawfully, in the event they persist.
This, in a nutshell, has all grounds covered. Do not engage with an idiot hell-bent on violence.
And yes, it's easier said than done when you frequent the same areas, with the same people causing the same problems. But a clear and direct approach as above will limit their options. You argue with them, and you are literally coming down to their level. Not only that, but their defense would, in the event they assault you, seek to exploit your interaction as some form of mitigation should they attack.
The more you ignore people like this, the worse it gets for them. If they are going to attack then they are quickly going to paint themselves into a corner - as long as your actions are necessary, proportionate and lawful and you then remove yourself from the situation AND report the assault to the law, then so be it.
This is my approach. I'm not saying it's the best one, but it seems to work for me. Do not take these people personally, and do not stop to argue the toss. They will hate being ignored and from them on it will only get worse for them. They might live long enough to call it a life lesson, even.

I found this article as I’m struggling to accept some abuse I received today. Being transgender, I expect that I’m an easy target and have to deal with it but today it wasn’t because of that.
I am blind in one eye and have no muscle movement. I have been like this since birth and I have made my peace with it. Today, this group of lads sitting in a car shout over “hey mate, are you sniffing glue?” “Sorry?l was my response…”you look like you are”
I approached the car, looked at all 3 of them, and said “hilarious, why don’t you go f yourself” and calmly (but nervously) walked away - expecting to get chased down. I’m confident in myself, but it has taken a lot of years to get to this level and I can be insecure. Not going to lie, it shook me up a bit. I was on my way to the station to get a train to London for a meeting and it has eaten at me all day. I found myself googling “corrective eye surgery” and then I had to take a step back. How do you really feel like you win in this situation? They clearly don’t care, and feel like they have this power to attempt to belittle anyone they like. What is the best way to be dealing with this?

I had a terrifying incident this morning, walking my dog along a lit path (early morning so its dark). A cyclist came up behind and he did ring his bell, but when he was right behind me, I stepped out his way and my dog was off lead on the other side if the path (not a cyclist path). He then cycled a couple of hundred yards and turned his bike around and he had a full beam light staring in my face which I found difficult to see. I felt uneasy as I realised i was vulnerable and did not have my phone with me. As I passed he said i nearly ran your dog over (absolutely did not) i said you gave me fright and didn't give me much notice - then he flipped, started swearing at me then as i walked past he turned his bike around and followed me screaming threats - i realised i was in danger alone and isolated, i had to play submissive and say sorry, he gave up after a long 2 mins of threats and abuse, the rage was so scary. The rage was something ive never seen before and he wouldnt let up. I think i did the right thing and calmly kept walking allowing him to scream and threaten me as i knew if i did answer back he would have gotten physical - i called the police and reported him - mainly for fear it escalates badly with someone else.
Now i feel badly shaken and cant stop crying i felt so weak i didnt stand up for myself and my mind is flashing to what ifs he could have harmed me.
Im hoping these feelings will subside in time.

Thank you for this.
I was with my friends on the park with our dogs last week. The dogs were playing together and a woman came over with her dog saying not to worry, it was friendly. As our dogs were running around, her very big dog attacked my little one quite badly. She immediately started yelling at me saying it wasn’t her dog’s fault and threatening me not to go around telling everyone what had happened. I was shaking from her aggression towards me and said nothing until she walked away and then I burst into tears. Since then I’ve been telling myself I’m weak for not dealing with it better, and thinking of the things I should have said. My dog is ok, thankfully.

I am in a similar situation and I don't have any idea how to get over it, I went outside my house and this random guy was staring at me with a hateful face. I came back to my home and as soon as I closed the door I heared him refer to me in degrading terms. I didn't do anything to trigger him, after days I found out he lives near my building and I feel disgusted that I have to see his face again. Sometimes i'm just working in my desk and I see him walk outside, it triggers anger and hate inside me that turns to discomfort. Luckily, I will move soon, but this situation takes a lot of my energy, I find myself always thinking about this event and I avoid going out just to not see his disgusting face again.

opposite side of the spectrum here - im the one that would lash out at strangers in the street/the train/bus/mall etc....worst thing is worst when i do so im completely sober. I know what im doing is wrong and potentially criminal but because ive worked for bosses that have done exactly the same with me - verbally abuse/throw things and scream at me, its to the point that they (these ex-bosses) have taught me that this behavior is acceptable.

I am 48 years old, and have been verbally abused by strangers, for most of my life, everything you can imagine, from being called a dog, being barked at, laughed at right in my face, it can make you angry, bitter, and sometimes try to avoid going places altogether, it may sound lame but the best thing you can do is to just ignore them like they don't even exist, headphones, to tune them ,out is also very helpful.

I swim three times a week at my local pool. Just before work, I have got to know many people well, who are regulars like myself. Occasionally, I change the swim days for example to a Saturday. And, it was on one Saturday last August (2022) that during swimming an incident occurred. I do lane swimming (slow, medium, and fast). I am usually in the fast lane. On this particular Saturday, as I was near the end of one of the 40 or 60 lengths. I noticed that one of the swimmers was keeping me back (and not in the appropriate lane). I chose to overtake him. He was just ahead on my left. We were nearing the end of the pool and he cut across my line of swimming. This led to a collision. At that point, he went into a furious torrent of abuse and swearing in which he accused me of doing on purpose. No, you cut across my swim I replied. No, you didn't, you cut across mine. Well, how could I cut across (to the left)? The torrent continued. I raised my voice with a stop gesture with my hand. I am an educated person, I do not accept this.
At this point, other swimmers backed me up and said they knew him, he was in his late 60s, bald and well-built. At the end of my swim, one of the swimmers (fortunately an old work colleague) went to the duty manager and supported me in my complaint. A few weeks later, nothing had happened. I chased this up for progress. Again, nothing. Finally, I went a third time. Again, nothing in the weeks ahead.
I still swim, and on the occasion when I switch to Saturday, occasionally my abuser is there. Even in the same lane, it is as if nothing happened. No apology, nothing. He does not take a second glance.
I really feel let down by the swimming pool management because when this action was going on the duty lifeguard didn't do anything...

I just experienced verbal abuse from a stranger for the first time in many years. I will preface this by saying that since 2020 I’ve gained about 35 pounds, so I’m already feeling not great about my body. I am a very confident person and I have three daughters who are preteens. We are very healthy when we talk about our bodies and eating and food and about being kind to all people whether we know them or not. When I was walking into a class with my daughters and girl scout troop, a nice man it is probably 50s smiled at me and said “you are pretty in pink.“ I was wearing coral sweater and I felt really happy. That was a very nice thing for him to say.
Fast forward to about two hours later while walking down the same street, luckily by myself and not with my kids, or any other kids, a teenage boy and friend drove by and yelled out his window “You’re a fat b****.” My heart just stopped and I felt my cheeks flush but I kept on my way.
I am a 45-year-old woman and I know I should not let these rude punks affect me, but it’s amazing how some thing so random can be so hurtful. Was I truly the fattest person walking down the street? Likely not. And it doesn’t even matter! The fact he felt entitled to blurt that out at me, as I minded my own business, just bothers me so much. And it’s not just “boys will be boys” crap that many parents use as an excuse. I know many boys now, and many adult men who were once boys, who would never do that. It saddens me that I have three daughters who will face these types of insults and verbal abuse at the hands of strangers and people they know over their lifetime. There’s just no reason for it.
Thanks for letting me vent.

I apologize for or if I have "necro" the article here, but I need to vent. Was late to work this morning on the 07.03.23 and was walking to work when a random woman near a bus stop on my route began to call me a "pikey" and asked if I was Irish because she hated Irish people I recoiled slightly and stood my ground she then called me fat and ugly, and again I stood ground and was not abusive back, and she kept going for it and I began to challenge her back she then for some reason switched to being nice.
All the while, several people my parent's age or older sat in the shelter ignored her abuse and acted as if nothing was going on apart from looking in the direction of the altercation. I am not one to judge others as I have had my own issues with my mental health, but this kind of behaviour makes me question the moral compass some are bought up with.
I've never if ever encountered this and to be honest it left me shaken up and very upset and this also made me angry I've been swinging most of the day between both emotions, is this normal for someone who has had this happen to them?

Hi. i am a submissive white male. I would like to help an abusive spouse who is trying to stop abuse their spouse by letting them bloww off steam by verbally or physically abusing me. Can u help?

Hi Cheryl,
First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing this invaluable article. Yesterday, I was on a visit to one of the State Parks. Unfortunately, I have been verbally abused by one of the park visitors because I was taking some photos in one of the 'supposedly' restricted spots. I mentioned 'supposedly' because there were no signs that prohibit visitors from stepping into that spot. In addition, the guy who insulted and abused me was watching closely around three or four guys taking photos and videos in the same spot. Later, I decided to go to the spot and take some memorable photos, and then I heard someone shouting at me and kept yelling "get out!"
He approached me and kept shouting and said "get the fu** out of here!" "pictures are worthless to be taken here", I was shocked and asked him to calm down so that I can understand his point of view. I am an Arab and Muslim Hijabi and this is my second year in the US, I thought his anger might be out of racism. This is because he was watching other guys and he take any action toward them!
Moreover, before leaving the spot he took my backpack and threw it aggressively (I was putting a metal bottle inside my backpack and it was a little bit damaged).
This scene was in front of many people and no one tried to react or stop him from abusing me, except for a gentleman who tried to help me and said "I'm sorry for what happened, are you okay? do you need any help?".
After trying to keep it together and continue my visit, by the end of the day I saw him again and I decided to talk to him and bear all the consequences. I introduced myself and he responded politely and he introduced himself back, then I asked him why he shouted and insulted me.
He replied that his reaction was due to the matter of respect for nature and preserving the park, I said "is it because of my hijab?" He denied that my hijab could be the reason, and this wasn't his intention. He said, "I totally understand why you're feeling this way because I'm 'white' ".
I said, "In fact, this is the way I felt; because I saw you watching others taking photos in the same spot without taking any action!" He claimed that he wasn't too close to them to talk to them (and honestly he was lying because he was too close to one of them). He added that he later yelled at other guys who tried to do the same as me. We shook hands and I asked him which way I should take to return back to the entrance again and he gave me the directions.
As it might seem that the situation ended in a good way, I am so hurt and still crying up to the moment I am writing this comment. I am feeling intensely humiliated and disrespected.
I expected that even if I was wrong to step into that spot, there was a probability that I was not aware enough of the regulations, or maybe he could talk to me in a decent way and advise me to leave that area.
Your kind response is highly appreciated. Thank you!

I was walking my dog and a group of men in their 20s walked past. One said “oh it’s a dog walking a dog”. I sarcastically said thank you and he barked at
me. I already have body dysmorphia, so this was very triggering. Why are some people so cruel?

Today in my local park, I was there playing fetch with my dog, only for someone other persons dog who decided to joint in the fun, unfortunately this friendly dog got the sharp end of my dog's aggressive barking. The owner of this dog decided to tell me that my dog was dangerous, I reacted by telling this complete stranger that it is commonsense to have a lead on your dog, when approaching other dogs and people, fact is, he didn't know anything about me or my dog's personality. Well, that didn't go down well, he reacted by threatening me with violence etc..I remembered he had a strong accent, like Polish or Eastern european accent. Anyway I reported the incident to the police, and the park security and their management. Don't worry I am not holding my breath on any response from anyone. Heaton Park Manchester UK, is a sinister place. Watch out for dog owners, they are the worse, mind you not all of them.

Yesterday I got on the bus and these three teenage boys sat near where I was sitting and kept staring at me and muttering. When I got up off the bus they made gagging noises and so I flipped them off and they flipped me off back, though I regret it now. I know it was because they were homophobic and I was wearing a skirt and while it sounds so lame writing it out it still was unsettling to me. I keep telling myself they were weirdos because of their own insecurities but now I'm worried about using the bus at the time again and worried they might even follow me off the bus next time. I don't know. I was thinking of sitting somewhere else and ignoring them if I next see them, but I'm still anxious about it.

I was in Kauai last week on vacation, with my fiance celebrating my birthday. We had a beautiful vacation and it was my first time in Hawaii. On my birthday, I decided to take a ride on a beach cruiser around the resort area alone where we were staying and I was riding my bike minding my own business and enjoying the ride. I passed a few nice people including one man near a golf course said, "Have a nice ride!" I was on the sidewalk and in front of me about 20 feet I saw a small Asian woman and Caucasian woman walking towards me. They were young and in their 20's and looked up and the Asian woman saw me coming towards them and she made this mean face and turned toward her friend, discussing something they obviously did not appreciate, me coming towards them. I have seen this behavior before, in Southern California so I know the "drill", the Asian woman continued walking towards me with her head down, and had this fake smile on her face - they do this behavior when they do not want to make eye contact with a man that they fear, a Black Man, and she was closest to me in passing. I had sunglasses on and I just kept looking forward but as we crossed, I immediately looked at her friend, to make sure that she didn't yell something nasty in my ear - I have experienced that, too. At that moment, the Caucasian women quickens her step and she had this aggressive, hateful look in her eye - she looked like a crazy person for a second. As I passed them, the Caucasian woman screams, "Hell no!" And I kept on riding casually and I never seen them again, even on my way back to the Condo. I did nothing to provoke this treatment but it was obviously racism. Like I said, I have experienced this behavior before but I feel the Asian woman planned and manipulated the whole thing - I saw whole thing 20 feet away unfold. I remember thinking, right after..."Do I really want to report these idiots, call the police and take pictures of them, on my 51st birthday? I figured not and I just ignored them and carried on with my day. I am in great physical shape and was wearing shorts and a tank top but that shouldn't matter. As a Black man, I get into these "situations and altercations" from time time, with Asian-American or Chinese women and Caucasian women more than men, in Southern California. Did I handle this situation correctly, or should I have called them out on their abusive behavior and called the police? I still feel like I was assaulted and I do not like that feeling. Appreciate any feedback.

today while walking home with 2 friends a man on a bike called me a fat whore multiple times. He even biked right up to me and started intimidating me verbally. I was heart broken.
I am overweight. I struggle with my weight and body image, almost have had eating disorders.
Having a hard time shaking off the feeling.

I have dealt with verbal abuse for 35 years because I was born a certain way. It averages at 1 verbal abuse from a stranger every two weeks. Yes, for 35 years. I am 47 years old. Not only this, my demographic is mocked in: hollywood, tv, songs, comedy... anywhere you find human beings. It is something I cannot change with surgery, or diet. In fact, I am in fear of saying what it is here, because people just don't get it.
This week, I have had 8... yes EIGHT verbal attacks. I am angry. I am a decent person and have been for all my life. Respecting others, and extremely aware of not hurting peoples feelings - because I am the bottom of the barrel in society. Society tells me this. Which is strange in a society that goes on about body positivity, racism, trans rights, gay rights, and equality "be nice to everyone". I have been super nice to everyone all my life. So why are people so awful to me. The abuse I've received this week - bare in I am already suicidal at the moment - is starting to turn me bitter. How can a decent person, who was born a certain way get so much hate. Society is duplicitous, double standards. I am sick of it and can not take any more.
I'll reiterate. I had abuse eight times in the last 5 days. I can not go to the shop to buy milk without getting hate. I am sick of being a decent person, I am sick of how duplicitous society is, and I'm sick of living frankly. By duplicitous, I mean.... "be nice and thoughtful to everyone"... "except that one demographic who are born with a certain body type, who frankly us as a society doesn't think should exist"

Verbal abuse from a male neighbour.... I have experienced intimidating behaviour from my male neighbour, at first he appeared pleasant but his behaviour changed. I would hear him shouting and swearing in his house during the day and night, and then there was a period when he started to bang on my front door, when I answered he would yell things like what's wrong or are you ok which was odd and made me nervous. I did try and ask him at a later time if there was a problem but he would slam his front door and not talk with me. In the end I rang the local police more for advise and to make them aware, they were very supportive and made a report saying it was a form of harrassment, their advise avoid contact with him which I do. He still continues to shout when in his house but he no longer bangs on my door, I genuinely believe if I was a man he wouldn't have behaved this way. His male friend stood outside my back gate on Sunday night ringing the bell and shouting at my dogs, I didn't want to confront this man as I live alone but I was glad I'd locked the back gate earlier. Again I have no clue as to why this happened, it really upset me and left me physically shaking and unsettled in my own home.

I’m a black woman, married to a white man. I live in Norway. I’m being abused verbally several times by white Norwegian kids and my husband (who is a big jerk ) never does anything. I feel so bad… well, at least he’ll be waiting forever for affection from my side.

Just happened to me now. A white male in his full spandex riding a bicycle. I stopped to let him go in front of me and he stopped and started yelling at me for not using my turn signal! My father warned me about the cowardice of men who verbally assault women in the streets because they are too chicken to lash out at males.

I greatly admire each of you for telling your story. Calling out these experiences affirms that they are realities we have experienced moat unreservedly. People in 2022 are as in 2021 a pretty stressed out crowd. There is a lot of world anxiety, self doubt due to Covid having juggled up our lives, and for many shifts in the areas of life people generally count on for self-affirming vibes. It doesn't permit cruel put-downs to be the way to relieve tension. I find that best response depends on who is with us. I would simply say, Sorry you feel that way and hope the day improves. It is such a waste to try winning over a rude person who you would not wish to befriend, and teaching them a lesson is best let be because too many people are not in a normal state of mind and it can be dangerous. So where strangers are abusive, let it go but if they persist at all (follow you, persist in yelling, or create a big scene to bring more people into the attack leaving you mobbed by rude angry people) get to safety and call the police. Just letting them know gives you a feeling of better safety and alerts them if a serial abuser is developing in town. Use hotlines to discuss your experience too, and allow yourself to feel upset, even angry, but then let it go. They were just a bad odor in life you certainly don't need to hang on to!

As someone here said, it's so lonely to be verbally attacked by a stranger. Mine happened 2 days ago and it still twists my stomach up and makes me shake a little. These posts make me feel less alone but I wish the initial article had more advice or resources.

I also face a lot of verbal abuse and it can be hard in the moment not to internalize and whats worse I live in a small town where people are very entitled and if you don't say hi to everyone or talk to everyone they throw temper tantrums. I saw a man lose his cool because I did not return his smile and women got very verbally abusive and starting hurtling insults at me because I was not paying attention to them looking at me like I am a piece of meat. They were very upset and started talking to each other out loud calling me names hoping to get a rise out of me. An old lady started talking to her husband about me and everyone in the small town immediately launches into gossip and verbal abuse about me whenever I go anywhere but there is nothing I can do. I think these people are very narrow minded. I am not God and they can't make me solve their problems instantly they need to solve their own problems of having no social life. I began putting on headphones so I don't hear the verbal abuse and tirade of gossip and insults hurled my way when I go about my business. Its just a bit too much and I think these people in America are just really entitled and expect one girl to cater to every man and woman in the small town which if you ask me is the dumbest thing ever.

I could be walking down the street minding my own business when some ramdom stranger will say something inappropriate about me in a loud voice,even when they know i am not listening they will do it more. Some people will laugh because they think it's funny they just want to see you upset.
It seems every time i go out i cannot escape these things that people do to me.
Even when people see me on the opposite side of the street they will intentionally cough at me as i walk past i know it is fake because the more i ignore it the louder it gets.
Whenever i am being insulted by another person people don't really do anything they tend to join in with the person or pretend they don't see it, it can be a very lonely place when dealing with things like this. I have had people's dogs bark at me in the street and the owners never really do anything to stop it. I often ask myslef what could i have done to provoke this animal to behave like this then again i cannot blame the dog because their behaviour is a reflection of it's owner. But it's not just dogs i need to be mindful of but cyclists as well. People on bikes are not socailly aware of the people around them. The number of times i almost got hit by someone on a bike that i while crossing the road or turning the corner can be a frightening experience most cyclist never really acknowledge the danger they put you in they ride off without a care in the world leaving you to deal with the aftermath.
Most people behave like their pets if they are not angrily barking at me for absolutely no reason at all. They want to do what ever they can to make sure you know how they feel about you. Some people have even followed me down the street just to make fun of me this usually happens when i am on my own.
I feel like i can't go anywhere without soneone staring at me or saying something . I tend to aviod alot of places where i know it would draw attention to me. Because the last thing i need is to give people more of a reason to do things.
Going shopping is an altering experince because i encounter alot of troubled individuals. There was a time that the person i was with was inside buying a pair of shoes i decided it would be best if i waited outside. All of sudden i noticed these two guys staring at me from a distance. I heard one of them say she is a slag. As i turned to look at them briefly one of the men was acting in a hostile way. So made sure i had my body turning away from them. The more i stood there the more angry the guy became he kept repeating himslef so i choose not to look at them when my relative came out of the shop i was so reliefed all i wanted to do was get away from the two men who were constantly being abusive. And when they saw the person i was with they did not attempt to say anything else but i knew they were still watching. We went another way so that to avoid giving them any more reason to say anything else.
But this problem seems to happen wherever i go people seem to have real problem with me especially guys because they always have an angry expression on their face. The supermarket is no better because i feel from the moment i step over the freshold i feel as if the staff are immediately judging me. People tend to make a lot negative remarks which i usually brush off pretty well.
Most of the staff are not very engaging and will act like emotionaless statues i try smiling at them and being friendly but i get nothing back. I notice whenever they are around other customers they become a completely differently person they will go out of their way to put on a smile and become more friendly to them. It makes me wonder what i am doing wrong. I try being approachable and friendly but nothing works it does not matter how much i am being myslef it would never be enough for them because they don't see me like anyone else.
I am often ignored when standing in the line most people will jump in front of me and act as if i am not there i find this to be very furstating because certain people have no regards for the fact that you were there before them.
People take alot of time out of their day to stare at you. It's not so much the staring but the fact they can stand their and not say anything. People are fully aware they are doing it and make it apparent they are looking at you. I don't really look at people who do that. It is not a nice feeling knowing people are staring at you but there is not alot i can do about it. People will stare whether you like it not.
The wrost thing to happen to me is when i went to my local corner shop to buy a few things i was waiting in the line when these two individuals came in and tried to jump the cue. The woman who was in front told them that they had to wait in line. Once i finished paying at the counter was about to leave when all of a sudden this man puts his elbow out hitting me in my glasses i could feel the lense press agaisnt my eye.
As i turned to look at the man i wanted to see if he had noticed that he hurt me. He was so oblivious to what he had done because he was too busy talking to the shop keeper i thought the other customers in the shop would had said something to him but no one did so i could only aasume no one else saw what happened. When i left the shop i was pretty shocked because i was never expecting to be elbowed in my glasses.
When i got home i was so upset about had happened i tried so hard not think about what the man did to me. Every negative encounter has really affected how i see people i tend to limit my eye contact or keep my distance from them i rarely go out unless i have to. The more time i spend around people the more dangerous and unpredictable they become. I am alot more happy when I'm on my own than when i am being around other people.

With the level of verbal abuse that I see on the news from some people in the US, this sort of advice seems inadequate

I’ve been verbally attacked a few times by men this year. Standing on line @ Trader Joe’s. I thought the man was standing in line behind me, I turned around because he was standing closer than normal. His teeth clenched and growling “So are you gonna f’in move! …F you B!…” He had other options to get to the meat bread aisle. I saw people in line watching in horror. I yelled back @ him, “No one is in your way! Learn some manners you A’hole !.” & Today while crossing the street, a man in his truck at the red light called out & waved me down. He had a big smile on his face, so I thought he was going to give me a compliment or flirt. Looked professional. He was asking me for directions. I said “These are only street names not street numbers” he started hollering, “You stupid B! I didn’t ask you for a street name! Etc…” I stepped back & realized he was out his mind walked away & thought why he couldn’t google his own directions. He wanted my attention. My new strategy is to completely ignore people in these New York City streets to avoid these random rages, even if they “look” normal & nicely dressed.