https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 16 Aug 2026 04:11:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044222 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 17:05:58 +0000 Mae 2044222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>usually I just give them The Look and walk away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044193 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:49:44 +0000 loveisstrange 2044193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: Yeah, that's totally different. I would have said something too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044190 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:48:09 +0000 jedeve 2044190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm usually just glad I'm not them. </p> <p>I think people who are rude to strangers are pretty miserable with their life. It makes me sad more than anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044183 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:41:55 +0000 matador84 2044183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's a stranger I never keep my mouth shut, usually it's something like "you don't need to be so rude!"</p> <p>I was at the store a couple weeks ago and an elderly man hit the gas instead of the break and plowed into a car behind him. I couldn't believe no one went over to check and see if he was having a medical emergency, everyone was just staring. So I walk over, with DD in. Ergo and DS holding my hand, check on the man and his wife. They're okay, I ask if they need to call 911, and this lady walks up running her mouth and smoking a cigarette. I asked her politely if she would not smoke so close to my children and she started going OFF. Anyway, I ended up telling her she needed to be quiet and go away and another big guy walked up and told her she needed to leave the area! Some people don't know when to shut up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044172 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:31:31 +0000 Anagram 2044172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on the situation, but I'm liable to do everything from being overly sweet back, to ignoring, to making a fuss about it. I guess it depends on my mood! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044168 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:28:21 +0000 blackbird 2044168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: heh, yep. the lady on the elevator with two younger daughters, one in a wheelchair, didn't strike me as being potentially dangerous. Just rude. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044147 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:15:12 +0000 erinpye 2044147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With people on power trips who can affect my travel or my life (like a TSA or Customs agent) I probably would bite my tongue. For others, if they're were working, I'd calmly ask for a manager or supervisor. For personal interactions, I either walk away/ hang up, or matter-of-factly ask, "why would you say that to me?" Usually there is no good response to that question. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044146 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:15:03 +0000 MrsSCB 2044146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually just roll my eyes and ignore it. The only time I've said something was when they were rude to someone else, not me. I was getting off the subway, and this perfectly able-bodied woman was yelling at this guy for not giving her his seat (on a train that was totally packed). I don't know why she picked him out of everyone, but I heard her say to him, "In AMERICA men give up their seats for women." He had an accent, I think he was probably Indian. I was shocked and so I looked over and said, "WOW, that was REALLY rude." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044145 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:14:58 +0000 loveisstrange 2044145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Honestly, this.</p> <p>A dude got shot at on the highway I drive regularly for flashing his lights at a guy who cut him off... I keep my damn mouth shut because people are fucking crazy. Mostly, just stink eye them and walk away.</p> <p>However, if it was someone who was working in a store or something, I'd ask for a manager and be a big old bitch about it. If it was someone making some kind of rude comment (like the "are you having twins?" example earlier), I'd probably say something sarcastic and make it really awkward for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044136 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:11:49 +0000 FannyMae 2044136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>70% of the time I CUT SICK. Its usually at work, if someone is exceptionally rude to me I go bat shit. It usually ends in "THE DOOR BE THERE". </p> <p>The rest of the time I get sarcastic, or glare, or give the head shake. Yep, I'm just a ray of sunshine hehehe </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044125 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:07:47 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2044125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can never think of something good to say back to them to make them feel like the ass they are, so I don't usually say anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044118 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:06:13 +0000 Modern Daisy 2044118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find for the most part it's someone who deals with the public all day and isn't being supervised in that moment by a manager. Usually i let it go since i totally understand those jobs suck, but if it's downright insulting or threatens my safety i will find a way to officially complain and report it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044098 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:00:26 +0000 PinkElephant 2044098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At this point I would not say anything. we Learned our lesson the hard way when a TSA agent was harassing an older lady in front of us in the security line in Chicago a few years ago My husband said something (calm and polite) about it to the guy, and he started screaming at my husband and getting in his face. I was heavily pregnant at the time, and when I turned around to see what was going on, the guy started shouting at me asking if I wanted to get involved, telling me to mind my own business, and insisting that we were in "his house" and had better play by "his rules". </p> <p>Of course smart-aleck DH then had to comment "you live in the airport"? </p> <p>Anyway, it could have gotten so much worse. In the end we both just walked away with elevated blood pressure. But it reminded me you never know how unstable someone might be </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044077 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:50:27 +0000 Eko 2044077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends, but I do normally say something. The tone in my response will vary on the situation and how mad I am. Specifically, in your situation, I would not have said anything to a security guard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044058 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:37:17 +0000 Bubbles 2044058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I speak up - as politely as possible. If ever I do bite my tongue I find myself regretting it later! If I'm with LO though I do have to always check myself - if I'm not confident that I can keep my tone calm and civil then I don't say anything. He's not old enough to understand what's being said, and I don't want him to see me randomly showing anger towards strangers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044040 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:27:27 +0000 Orchid 2044040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think of nasty responses but keep my mouth shut. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2044008 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:14:15 +0000 illumina 2044008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I totally agree. You never know how unstable that stranger might be or how they might retaliate if you say anything! I often think about this when someone is rude to me in another car when I'm driving...I just let it go incase that person is crazy enough to try and run me off the road to prove a point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043997 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:11:27 +0000 .twist. 2043997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It really depends. In cases where I've done nothing to warrant rude remarks, I definitely speak up, usually sarcastically. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043991 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:09:53 +0000 looch 2043991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tend not to say anything directly to anyone because you just never know what they might do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043990 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:09:04 +0000 artsyfartsy 2043990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm too chicken to say anything. Ever. I just steam about it later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043981 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:03:55 +0000 blackbird 2043981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately, i've started speaking up more. It feels good to address the situation appropriately. I've spent way too long taking the "high road" and being meek in the process. I mean, not in a way that's going to get me shot, but I do address it sometimes (ie last week a woman asked if i was having twins and I flat out told her that was rude) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043974 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:59:16 +0000 gingerbebe 2043974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If its totally uncalled for and out of the blue, I usually turn around, look them right in the eye, and yell "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!??" Usually they are super shocked and everyone stops to stare at them and most of the time they scurry off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043957 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:52:52 +0000 PurplePumps 2043957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will most likely say something back to them. I'm definitely not the type to take crap from anyone or believe in the "higher road" of just keeping quiet. People like that need to be spoken back to and know they can't just go around treating people like shit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043956 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:52:39 +0000 Ajsmommy 2043956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends. I either ignore or go the sarcastic route. You never truly know why they are behaving that way. I mean there is never a good reason to be rude to a stranger BUT they could be dealing with something personally that is making them testy and you just happened to be in the wrong place/wrong time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043900 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:25:19 +0000 mrsjazz 2043900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends. Sometimes I ignore them, sometimes I try to reason with them, and other times I curse them out. I recently had to yell at a lady who didn't understand that seats on the train are open to anyone who paid their fare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043898 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:25:00 +0000 avivoca 2043898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually, I ignore them. One time, I didn't and it made me feel worse to tell them what I really thought, but he almost hit my husband and I as we were biking because he couldn't wait two seconds to let us pass before getting in the turn lane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043886 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:21:36 +0000 Reese 2043886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends. I would probably say something. I normally respond calmly and sarcastically which makes them even more irate. A few days ago a girl (late teens)was half talking to her friend across the store (her head facing 90 degrees away from the direction she is walking) / half texting and then ran right into ME. Yet, she made a remark at ME. I asked her to clarify her remark, reevaluate the way she walks and the direction of her head/eyes while doing so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043881 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:17:19 +0000 jmarionsmith 2043881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually just cut my eyes at them. It makes me feel like I'm letting them know they're being an ass without really making a scene. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-a-stranger-is-rude-to-you#post-2043876 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:14:48 +0000 mrbee 2043876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going through security after my lunch break for jury duty, and the security guard started yelling at me for no real reason. I thought about responding but I just spent 6 hours waiting to be called for jury duty. I didn't want to risk losing it, so I just bit my lip. I used the time to fantasize about all the things I wished I was free to say to his face.</p> <p>Afterward I was through security, someone came up to me and said, "That guy is a real ****." It made me feel better, and restored my faith in humanity a bit.</p> <p>If a stranger is rude to me, I usually try to take the higher road. But if a stranger is rude to others in front of me, it's a different story! I feel I have to say something in those situations. </p>