I took my 12 year old nephew to meet his favorite wrestler, Shawn Michaels, this afternoon. The line was extremely long, as expected so we readied ourselves for the long haul. Anyway, I had noticed that the two guys behind us were extremely annoying. They were acting obnoxious and speaking in an obviously fake dumbed down dialogue. Eventually, one of them bumped into me. Ok, whatever, accidents happen. Then it happened again. By that time, we had been standing in line for forty five minutes, so there was no way I was going to disappoint my nephew and get kicked out of the store. I kept my composure and moved further up. So then these assholes start reaching for products over my shoulder in an obvious attempt to get under my skin. I promptly address them with a "back off" that kept them at bay for half an hour or so. I was steaming the whole time though as I was sure these simpletons would wind up getting me kicked out, or worse, thrown in jail. Later, as we neared the end of the line, the bumping started again. Keep in mind, I had been aware of their oh so subtle attempts to cut in front of me, and practically had to block the aisle to keep them from doing so. This time, I got into the dudes' faces with a firmer "back the **** off" and other things that I can't repeat here (or remember clearly for that matter). They shelled up and played innocent. Anti was boiling. Then they went and did it. They starting jacking with my nephew. I lost it. I got in both their faces this time, shouted obscenities and challenged both of them to a good old fashioned parking lot duel. Again, they shelled up. No more problems from them the rest of the wait though. So anyway, one part of me feels really guilty for sinking to such a level and setting a bad example for my nephew. Also, they might have actually been developmentally challenged- not the extreme case mind you, just not terribly bright. Still, I'd be a complete ass if that were case. But I'm still convinced it was an act. Another part of me feels that I did the right thing by standing up and actually dropped the ball by not beating the everloving **** out of them. Some people need a beating (IMHO), and I'll be DAMNED if somebody is going to pick on my nephew in front of me. As for getting security, they were few and far between. I wasn't going to leave the line that far in and lose my space OR leave my nephew alone with those assholes. They weren't a physical threat to me by any means (well, 300 pound Bubba might have been) and it would have been pretty embarassing to "tattle" on something like this. So what say you?
I hope this isn't a condemning of "stoopid violent wrestling fans." I could just as easily go off on fans of Eminem in that regard.
Point taken... If It had been me, I probably would have messed with their minds by acting like someone else. People tend to get weirded out when you out-annoy them.
That sucks, dude. I admire your patience through the ordeal. You obviously love your nephew, and you set a good example for him. But you're only human - most of us would have lasted only 5 minutes with those jerks. That you lasted as long as you did is pretty dang cool. That said, did your nephew enjoy meeting Michaels?
This reminds me of my last trip to the movie theaters in Texas. Me and a friend go to the movies, since it was the last time we'd see each other for a while. Anyways, we are sitting there, I'm eating my Sour Patch Kids and watching the movie. All of a sudden, a piece of popcorn falls on me, from the seat above me. I let it pass. Five minutes later another piece falls. I shook it off again. Then, another piece falls. So, I tell my friend that something is gonna happen if they hit me again with another piece. He tells them, "Would you plese stop?" Nothing happens for about 15 minutes. Then, like 5 pieces come falling on me. I, not wanting to get out of the movies, grab a sour patch kid, stand up, and chunk it as hard as I could and hit the kid in the face with it. He stand and, wipes it off his seat, and gives me this look, like he didn't expect me to do nothing. The two kids behind me were about 19 or 20, I was 15 at the time. I think I coulda taken them, too...judging by size and everything. I was about 5 seconds from embarrising them in front of their little girlfriends. Those punks got lucky that I was smart and calm, just like you Anti.
Maan puhlease AS. You know your nephew didn't want to go. Your Nephew took YOU to see Shawn Michaels.
Were there no steel chairs around? How about brass knuckles? Come on, it was a wrestling event, there had to be conveniently placed weapons everywhere. Heck, with that 300 lb-er you might have needed it. IMO, challenging them to a fight is not the way to handle the situation. For two older guys to pick on a 12 year old is not cool at all. One possible solution would have been to alert the people in front of me of the situation and notify them that you and your nephew felt threatened and needed to contact security. Hopefully the people in line ahead of you or around you would understand and keep your space in line while the two of you were gone. It is a shame that this would happen and others would not take notice. However, I have not seen a lot of times where violence provides the answer to a problem.
Haha. Pretty much. GV76 & yaonotyo- it was just a little say "hi" get an autograph and handshake deal. My ten year old starstruck self came out a little, but nephew's only witnessed HBK through video games, his past year's comeback, and the occassional tape, so I don't think he could appreciate it as much. Agree with you on picking fights not being a good way to handle it, but I still would have been uncomfortable asking for outside assistance- they weren't exactly the most imposing looking guys I've ever seen. It'd be different if I was a small single mother or something (not to be sexist).
That's another thing- I've noticed that it's never the big stereotypical jock looking guy that starts trouble, it's little punks. Thanks for the story and compliment. I'm usually pretty docile but as you know, there's only so much one can take.
