1 was walking in central park the other day, near the boat basin.....
the boat basin is a large pool where people all kinds of toy boats...
sailboats, remote controlled submarines, whatever. the area is crowded
with kids, dogs, moms, nannies, strollers, and the pool is populated
with a few families of ducks and ducklings........

as i was strolling by, i came upon 2 little boys throwing stones at the
ducks. i was very angry and i yelled at the boys (probably around 6 or
7 years old) "STOP THAT!!! WHY DO YOU WANT TO FRIGHTEN THEM!!!"
a man, (their father?) said, "it's none of your business, lady" and
rather than get into an argument w the guy i walked (slinked?) away.

then i was angry....at myself for not defending my point? at the guy
for championing bad behavior? maybe both....but the incident has stayed
with me and troubled me for a few days....

where did i go wrong? should i have just ignored what the boys were
doing and walked on? should i have argued the point with the guy who
was probably their father?

i feel myself turning into one of those demented old ladies who goes
around yelling at everyone....

what do you think, folks,,,,,,,,,,,


sasha

RE: "where did i go wrong? should i have just ignored what the boys were
doing and walked on? should i have argued the point with the guy who
was probably their father?

i feel myself turning into one of those demented old ladies who goes
around yelling at everyone...."


You don't seem demented to me! A demented person would miss more than only B's in their typing!

I think speaking up was the right thing. I'd have probably asked the adult, "Gosh, aren't you afraid they will hurt the ducks?" rather than yelling at the kids. He probably was rude to you because you yelled at his kids, and also because he was embarassed that he was letting them go wild. Of course, the kind that lets their kids run wild in the first place is the kind that probably wouldn't take it well no matter how nicely you spoke to him....

I'm disturbed because it's just mean, but also there is a correlation between cruelty to animals and becoming a sociopath later. But then again, I'm the kind who lets MOLES ravage her yard undisturbed, ruining the neighborhood...

You should've called the police on the cell phone and explained what happened.

Regards,

Levka.

I'm disturbed because it's just mean, but also there is a correlation between cruelty to animals and becoming a sociopath later. But then again, I'm the kind who lets MOLES ravage her yard undisturbed, ruining the neighborhood...

It bothers me too. He's setting a bad example for his children, and I wonder goes on when they're in the privacy of his home.

I called the fire department once to rescue a canary in a tree for a little boy that accidentally let it loose. They were sure happy to answer that call, NOT. The bird took off and the kid got in trouble with his parents anyway. I tried.

Regards,

Levka.

re: calling the police.......
levka: that's a thought...NYPD is great but i feel they would sya
something to the effect of, "ladee, PLEEZE, we're busy catching
muggers and murderers and people who double park..."

You were 100% right to intervene.

It's hard to tell if you were 100% right or not in the way you did it. I'd have probably adopted the manner of a nice but firm kindergarten teacher and said "Sweetie, you can't do that. It's against the rules and you need to stop that right this minute, because you might hurt the ducks. You can't do that." I'm assuming these kids were under 10 years old. But, that's just me, and everyone has their own style.

The main thing is you were SO right to do something, that's what's important.

where did i go wrong? should i have just ignored what the boys were
doing and walked on? should i have argued the point with the guy who
was probably their father?

i feel myself turning into one of those demented old ladies who goes
around yelling at everyone....
*******************
You were right to say something. That guy was out of line, and yes, it WAS your business! Speaking up about cruelty is always OK in my book. And, no, there's no way you'll be that old lady. You will be the powerful old lady who is not afraid to speak her truth.

Love
Loving

But then again, I'm the kind who lets MOLES ravage her yard undisturbed, ruining the neighborhood...
***************
Thanks for reminding me why I like you so much! <grin>

Love
Loving

*******************
You were right to say something. That guy was out of line, and yes, it WAS your business! Speaking up about cruelty is always OK in my book. And, no, there's no way you'll be that old lady. You will be the powerful old lady who is not afraid to speak her truth.

Love
Loving
Piney

exactly what I was trying to say!

Next time consider shoving the kids into the basin and then throwing stones at them.

joey

Next time consider shoving the kids into the basin and then throwing stones at them.
joey

---

sweetie, you're not allowed to do that.

you kids are right.......i was right but handled it wrong...
i just lost it....and, at that moment, i wasnt aware which adult belonged to them......i suppose i could have asked, but i just had a total knee jerk...
MAYBE (hopefully) if i had noticed the guy i would have said something
to HIM..but i'm not sure.....

re: calling the police.......
levka: that's a thought...NYPD is great but i feel they would sya
something to the effect of, "ladee, PLEEZE, we're busy catching
muggers and murderers and people who double park..."

Calling the police would be an overreaction, unless the situation escalated - i.e., the man threatened you, or the ducks were being injured.

well, in thinking about this more, i probably didnt yell as in scream
.......that's not my style. but i certainly spoke very sharply to the
little darlings......

Have you been back to see how the ducks are doing?

lol.........wouldnt know one duck from another. ... the one in my
tub is yellow. ..these werent........

Next time consider shoving the kids into the basin and then throwing stones at them.
joey

Wrong. Throw the Dad into the pond and throw rocks at him.

jC ☺

re: calling the police.......
levka: that's a thought...NYPD is great but i feel they would sya
something to the effect of, "ladee, PLEEZE, we're busy catching
muggers and murderers and people who double park..."

Could be, but it would call attention to the situation. Maybe the police don't like people throwing rocks at the ducks in their district? People have been arrested for cruelty to animals, and this sure seemed cruel. Threaten to call PETA, lol.

It hurts my heart when I witness cruelty to animals or children. I've actually chased kids who bullied the squirt, stopped the car and got out, etc. I know it's rash, but I can't help myself.

Regards,

Levka.

It hurts my heart when I witness cruelty to animals or children. I've actually chased kids who bullied the squirt, stopped the car and got out, etc. I know it's rash, but I can't help myself.
**************
We need more people like you in the world, Levka and Sasha! Not afraid to speak up.

Maybe if more adults paid attention and stepped in when they see bullying, the bullies would fade away.

Love
Loving

<<Maybe if more adults paid attention and stepped in when they see bullying, the bullies would fade away.>>

Excellent point, Loving!

LWW