Bullied and Harassed by a group of teens girls at my pool today

[Anonymous]

Ugh, OP. That's seriously not okay. While that specific thing hasn't happened at our pool, we did have some younger teens act out so far this year. They've been banned for the entire summer and the lifeguards have pictures of them in their lifeguarding books so they can't sneak back in.

We had a teen couple at the pool last summer who were acting inappropriately and trashing anyone that told them to knock it off, including the lifeguards. When enough adults told them quit what they were doing, they stomped off in a huff with some "dramatic last words" (or at least they thought so).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should report it to the board of the pool (assuming it's a community pool) so they can tell the members in the newsletter. If I knew my kid was acting like that I'd do something about it.

+1

I’m sorry that happened, OP. I saw teens at the pool and one politely asked if they could have our table since we were leaving. All polite. But they wanted something from us.

Those who are teens now were stuck inside for 1.5-2 years during COVID and didn’t mature normally. They are immature and sometimes rude and bratty.

My older kid has noticed this immaturity in an inability of the younger kids to handle and resolve issues. Ninth graders were acting like sixth graders a few years ago and some probably still have growing up to do.

No, no way. We need to stop this. These teens were not acting horribly because of the pandemic. Using the pandemic at this point as an excuse for poor behavior is exactly what leads to this type of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Teens are terrible. They have no consequences at home. They have no consequences at school. They act how they want and do what they want.

There was a group of 4 teens (2 boys, 2 girls) in Panda Express last week and they were flicking rice at everyone in the restaurant. They were probably around 13/14/15 tops. No one said anything to them. All the adults there were too scared of these kids to say anything. I started to say something but then I said to myself, no, with your luck you'll become a Panda Express Karen and go viral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teens are terrible. They have no consequences at home. They have no consequences at school. They act how they want and do what they want.

There was a group of 4 teens (2 boys, 2 girls) in Panda Express last week and they were flicking rice at everyone in the restaurant. They were probably around 13/14/15 tops. No one said anything to them. All the adults there were too scared of these kids to say anything. I started to say something but then I said to myself, no, with your luck you'll become a Panda Express Karen and go viral.

Stupid pack mentality aided and abetted by social media and smartphones. Who will stand up to the bullies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So sorry, OP.

My child loves older adults and would not have allowed her friends to do this. I am not being naive--she would bully another kid, but not a grandma!

She also wants me to hand a dollar to every person on the median asking for money and we have gotten into some very heated discussions about this. She has a big heart but only for those she perceives to be vulnerable.

They are not all bad kids but being in groups definitely makes them more likely to be rude.

I'd ask her to hand me her own money first.

[Anonymous]

I have a 5 year old and I can tell you right now which of her friends will end up doing this—the ones whose parents are completely uninterested in correcting bad behavior. The freedoms have gone too far.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Just point out that they’re virgins who can’t drive.

No you key their cars in the parking lot and tell them you're older and have more insurance.

Okay, but that wouldn’t be a Clueless reference, and it’s a crime.

Right over your head.

You must be a lot older than me because no, I don’t know that.

Your movie knowledge is poor then.

No, yours is. Kathy Bates didn’t key anyone’s car. She repeatedly rammed it. If you're going to use an example, get it right.

Lawanda.

It’s Towanda. Who are these posters that can’t get their references right?

Lawanda is from the yaya sisterhood )the elephant) “just climb up on the beast and ride”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sat here thinking about what I might do in a situation like this.

I've decided I'd pull out my phone and record them - audio and video. Then maybe I'd say something like, "I'm sure you girls aren't really as awful as you seem here. Someone must really feel terribly about themselves to want to hurt others like this. I wanted to make sure I could find you individually when I see you here with your families sometime and maybe we can talk about it when you're not in a pack."

I'm ticked off for you OP, really sorry you had to endure that - it's completely inexcusable.

All you’d have to do is start filming and tell them it will be great for your Tik Tok account. That is a fate worse than death for teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to go into too much detail.

They were making fun of me. Acting out right next to my lounge chair to intimidate me. I tried to just ignore them but it was very stressful and sad.

I finally said, "It is a shame you don't have anything better to do on a Sunday afternoon than bully an old woman who is probably the same age as your grandmother."

One later, when she was away from the others, apologized to me.

Sounds like you taught them a lot about character and grace. At least one was affected. The ringleader is undoubtedly very insecure, that’s where it usually comes from. It takes a village and you made a difference today with your poise.

Hi, OP. I agree with this poster. I’m sorry you had to put up with that behavior today. I’m a teacher and I have seen a steady decline in behavior. I wonder how we can bring common respect and decency back.

You reached one of them, and for that I’m grateful. Hopefully a small seed was placed in the other girls’ heads, and they’ll think twice about being so rude in the future.

How about, as a teacher, you stand up to your administration and school board and state what you see and demand accountability for behavior in the schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5 year old and I can tell you right now which of her friends will end up doing this—the ones whose parents are completely uninterested in correcting bad behavior. The freedoms have gone too far.

People like you, with extremely young kids, who think they know so much are incredibly annoying. Why don't you get back to us when your 1 kid is in his/her 20s and let us know how everything turned out after all of your vast experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teens are terrible. They have no consequences at home. They have no consequences at school. They act how they want and do what they want.

There was a group of 4 teens (2 boys, 2 girls) in Panda Express last week and they were flicking rice at everyone in the restaurant. They were probably around 13/14/15 tops. No one said anything to them. All the adults there were too scared of these kids to say anything. I started to say something but then I said to myself, no, with your luck you'll become a Panda Express Karen and go viral.

I would not confront these kids myself without being armed. Because the likelihood the four will come for you physically is very real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to go into too much detail.

They were making fun of me. Acting out right next to my lounge chair to intimidate me. I tried to just ignore them but it was very stressful and sad.

I finally said, "It is a shame you don't have anything better to do on a Sunday afternoon than bully an old woman who is probably the same age as your grandmother."

One later, when she was away from the others, apologized to me.

I would absolutely report them next time.

[Anonymous]

It would be great if all the adults within earshot of this nonsense all stood up together to start laughing, pointing, and recording at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be great if all the adults within earshot of this nonsense all stood up together to start laughing, pointing, and recording at the same time.

Exactly. Yesterday I saw a bunch of boys joy riding with a grocery store cart, generally goofing off with it. I walked up to them and told them to put the cart back where it belonged. They looked surprised that anyone cared, but immediately obeyed. Three minutes later, a woman thanked me. She said she should have said something to them, but was too afraid.

I told her that I care, and sometimes caring needs to be an action, not just a feeling.

Most of these kids are neglected at home. They’ll do whatever it takes until someone pays attention to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be great if all the adults within earshot of this nonsense all stood up together to start laughing, pointing, and recording at the same time.

Exactly. Yesterday I saw a bunch of boys joy riding with a grocery store cart, generally goofing off with it. I walked up to them and told them to put the cart back where it belonged. They looked surprised that anyone cared, but immediately obeyed. Three minutes later, a woman thanked me. She said she should have said something to them, but was too afraid.

I told her that I care, and sometimes caring needs to be an action, not just a feeling.

Most of these kids are neglected at home. They’ll do whatever it takes until someone pays attention to them.

Goofing off with a grocery store cart sounds pretty harmless to me.