Bio
Socially awkward, clumsy, and uses the wink at inappropriate times...
 
 
 
 

Most Popular

The Buffoon!

  • Share This Post
  • Pin It
  • 17
  • Sparkle (
    )
     

Over the holiday season my mother dragged me to every mall and outlet store within the city limits of Edmonton. It was busy, over-crowded, and I felt the energy being sucked from me under the neon mall  lights.  My mother on the other hand was a deal hunting matriarch on the loose and there was no stopping her.

As, we stepped out of the Gap, I was  tired and beginning to wonder when are we going to get out of this place? I heard apish sounds from behind, I paused for a moment, and wondered was this buffoon speaking to me?

I assessed the  buffoon, out of his natural habit, as he clomped past us with his girlfriend pushing a little toddler in the stroller.

He exclaimed, “Watch where you going! You Dumb Bitch!”

I paused for a moment, “Excuse me!”

“Yes! You! You F*!kin’ Bitch!”

My ears went red, I looked at his girlfriend, the stroller, as he trudged by, I exclaimed, ” Watch your language! Watch how you speak in front of your child!”

His girlfriend looked at me, looked at her boyfriend, and exclaimed “Did she just tell us how to speak in front of our child?” And as she said this - visibly upset, she smartly disappeared into the crowd. Obvious, that she wanted no part of what the unpredictable buffoon would do next…

The buffoon then charged towards me. I panicked, began to assess the situation (not a mall cop in sight), and saw my sixty-seven year old mother ready as back up, clutching her heavy purse, ready to clobber him over the head.

He exclaimed, “What did you just f*!kin’ say to me!”

I said, “Your acting like a Moron! And you should watch your language around your child.”

I stared him down, my ears were flaming red, I felt my hands shaking, never have experienced such ignorance! Especially, from a complete stranger in a shopping mall!

Once again, the buffoon exclaimed, “Dumb F*!kin’ Bitch! Don’t tell me how to speak in front my child!”

“You should lead by example and right now your acting like a moron!”

On that he turned on his heels, to catch-up his girlfriend, swearing a blue streak a mile high. I  looked at mother “Did that just happen? I can’t believe he has a child?”

My mom looked at me and replied, “I know dear!  What a buffoon! Don’t worry if he comes back I’ll clip him in the ear!”

It was nice to know my Mom still had some spunk left in her ready to kick this  buffoons ass!

 I also know the moment he began swearing at me, I felt rage, anger, and judging. I judged him, his girlfriend, and wondered what type of life would they provide for this child? We as parents are role models for our children, and should be teaching them important values such as courtesy, respect, and kindness to strangers. If we don’t who will?

If he has the ability to swear at a complete stranger with no rational thought than what ability does he have to raise this child? So, yes, the moment the buffoon began his tirade –  I  judged him.

I realize I didn’t handle this situation with tact or grace. I felt anger, resentment, and bitterness. But I wonder could I have handled this differently, and if so how do you deal with a buffoon? Any suggestions.

  • 17
  • Sparkle (
    )
     

Comments

Post comment as twitter logo facebook logo
Sort: Newest | Oldest
eatdrinklove 5 pts

I don't have to deal w/ the buffoon all that regularly - thankfully.

My signicant other knows *exactly* how I feel about said buffoon, as I do not cut corners with him about how I feel.

As it is, the buffoon has managed to exclude himself from my significant other's core group of friends due to his behavior.

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

She sounds like a wise woman and now I know what to do if I ever run into a flasher! That's the best story ever!

I never really thought, the hair on my neck stood up, and I acted on impulse. In hindsight, I should of let him cathump down the hall without saying a word. But at the same time, I think I would have been mad for not saying anything...But that can sometimes get you in trouble :)

I also grew up in a small town where this seldom happens...And oh those contractors can make you blush but, mostly, they are all good ole boys. And once you sweetly correct them they usually are putty in your hands ;)

Trish Iles 5 pts

First, I LOVE love LOVE it that your mom was ready to clobber him. My Mom is 81 and she would and COULD knock the jellybeans out of a jerk like that.

I'm torn, though! On one hand, my own mommy-ness kicks in and I want to say, "Oh, honey. You should be careful. An idiot like that is probably capable of violence. Maybe his girlfriends backs him up because she is afraid of the consequences later if she doesn't."

And then my Rural semi-redneck self speaks up. She reminds me that if we never stand up to the a-holes of the world, they bulldoze their way through life, offending everyone, hurting people with their nasty language and generally being despicable.

What would I have done? I don't honestly know, since I live in a small town where such behavior seldom happens. I can tell you that I once worked in a store that catered to contractors. When one of those guys would get too full of himself and speak offensively, I'd give him my best withering look, shake my head sadly and said, "What would your Momma say?". Some of them, at least, had the good sense to be embarrassed.

On a slightly different note: about 50 years ago, my Grandmother was the victim of a flasher. She didn't scream or run. She stood there and laughed at him. He was the one who ended up running away!

Trish in AZ

www.contemplatinghappiness.blogspot.com ( http://www.contemplatinghappiness.blogspot.com )

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

is a fierce woman. I know from experince :) He wouldn't of standed a chance...

LambAround 5 pts

I'd be furious if this happened to me. I love that your mom was ready to "clip him in the ear". Lol :)

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

My Mom is great she is a retired school teacher with lots of spunk! Nothing seems to phase her...

I hope something in his life, sets him on the right path...I think he needs to reflect on his life and move forward. I wonder if he has ever asked himself, How can I be a better person? If, so how?

I know it sounds gushy. But what if we all asked ourselves this question - would the world be a better place?

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

You do have to remember that sometimes kids resort to bullying because of the outcome of their parents poor choices in raising their children.

I wonder if you are brought up with parents who treat others with disrespect and fail to teach thier own children value, wouldn't that child assess through his friends, or other classmates that the way he was raised was wrong. Wouldn't he want to be better than his own parents?

Grace@Haven 5 pts

rose just reading this!

I love that your mom was ready to get your back! Moms always protect their own. :)

When I see people like this, I chalk their poor behavior up to their upbringing. Clearly, this idiot never had anyone around to demonstrate civil behavior. He has no standard to rise to, and he has no idea how damaging his behavior is to his girlfriend and their child.

zuzugirl 5 pts

And might have been, literally. I too, was in one of those super outlet malls with my 60 something year old mother during Christmas break. After 10 harrowing minutes navigating through the hoards of rude people (and a great deal of tourists) I turned to my mother and said, "I hope these tourists are going places other than this mall while they're here. I'd hate for them to go home saying this is what America is like."

I would have done exactly what you did. You spoke up for a child that will one day end up being the "bad kid" in one of our kid's classrooms for no reason other than that his parents are slightly inept when it comes to parenting. Remember this when your child comes home with a terrible story about a mean classmate. Don't get mad at the kid. Feel sorry for him.

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

If you are in a relationship with someone who demonstrates verbal assualt on strangers. I can only imagine how he would treat his significant other...I think it's clear that it's not a healthy relationship and she should seek help for herself and the child.

I know by speaking up I aggravated the situation. But at the same time, if people constantly let him get away with it, he'll never learn...

I think if we were on a quiet street, I would have been much meeker. But everything pointed towards him being just a buffoon. I'm tired of men like this thinking they can walk over women. He should no better and set a good example for his child.

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

You are right it's best not to give a buffoon attention. It's what they are seeking and by giving it too them you are playing into your hands.

I'm fortunate that the buffoon was a complete stranger. But I feel awful that you have to deal with one on a regular basis. Have you talked to your significant other about this? Maybe the best solution is for your significant other to end the relationship with the buffoon if it makes you uncomfortable? You shouldn't have to be quiet and worry about upsetting another individual.

You should be enjoying time with your friends and not walking on eggshells. Perhaps, it's time for your sig. other to give the buffoon the boot out of your lives.

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

It's funny that we live in a world were people have lost all sense of rationality. Maybe he was suffering from Mall rage? I don't know.

But you are right, there are crazies, and we do have to be careful. It's sad that we have to have our defenses up all of the time.

thewritingmother 5 pts

I don't think I would have reacted any different. I bet the mother secretly thinks the same way and was too embarrassed to do anything other than go on defense.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
www.heather-cook.com
www.redwritinghood.ca
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

eatdrinklove 5 pts

I deal with one at a time to time basis...As one of them happens to be my sig. Other's friend...Being around this person makes me tense up and uncomfortable.
At the end of the day, I'd prefer to ignore this person (and any other person like the buffoon).
To answer your question on how I deal w/ this person? I'm just polite, and quiet and let other people do the talking.
I have no interest in being associated with this type of person at all.

Hungrigyrl 5 pts

Isn't it frightening to know that there are people like that (and worse) out there in the world? How brave of you to stand up to him but be careful, there are some crazies out there!!!

victorias_view 17 pts moderator

I really wish I could throw a kick in the air like Miss. Piggy :)

I love your insight and could imagine you skipping along...Usually, I do the same, shrug it off, and keep going. But the moment I saw the stroller, his apish mannerisms, and the fact that he assumed I was an easy target. Just hit all of my hot spots.

I know it was foolish to speak -up. But I couldn't help it. At that moment is just felt like Me vs. The Buffoon.

SCanon 5 pts

First of all, congratulations on being featured! You have my all-time favorite avatar on here and I'm always happy when I see Miss Piggy flying through the air!

When I'm confronted with people like this, I'm usually shocked that they feel they can act in such a way. I look at them, shrug my shoulders and say to myself "what the f*ck was that dude's problem?" It's their problem that they get worked up over nothing, not mine. They can go cuss a blue streak off in their own little pissed off corner while I skip along happily forgetting about their stinky ways :)

Somer blogs at Merry Wife of Canon ( http://www.merrywifeofcanon.com ) as well as Smell My Plate ( http://www.smellmyplate.com ).