Comments on: Scumbags

By: Linda LaRoque

Linda LaRoque — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Well, this discussion has me thinking. I can’t remember in my 63 years having a man make such rude remarks to me. Now, I’m not well endowed. I had whistles on occasion as a young woman and my ten year old son took exception to a man looking at my butt one time, but can’t think of any other incidents.

As far as ever feeling threatened, I’ve not experienced this either. Guess I’ve lead a calm existance. The majority of my jobs were in teaching. Now, I’ve heard many an adolescent boy make suggestive remarks, gestures, etc. to the girl students and had to nip that in the bud.

By: Little Candy

Little Candy — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:01:19 +0000

Big Mike – I think it largely has to do with where you were raised, somewhat as Donica stated.
Sorry, but I’ve rarely encountered a chivalrous guy, but have definitely gone round the block a time or two with a potty-mouthed scumbag.
In fact, it started as early as when I was 12 years old. Even dad wasn’t around to defend me – even though he was usually working just across the building from me in the auto parts store. Believe me, I’ve heard lots of rude words, and in 2 languages (Spanish and English).

By: Little Candy

Little Candy — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:55:28 +0000

Donica,
That’s a great story to share. Good for you for scaring the bejesus out of the guy(s)!
I don’t know if it’s so much WHERE you are, but WHAT you do.
In your case you were a security guard. In my case (most of the time) I was in auto parts or working on motorcycles. All of those jobs are traditionally staffed with more men than women. I guess men think that if we can do a man’s job, then we can stick up for ourselves…

By: Big Mike

Big Mike — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:54:32 +0000

Now for the rest of the story. I had no problem with the fact of some males with identity problems being crude because they were never mentored to understand what a real man is like. My point was that in four decades of adulthood, I have never seen scum balls be that crude.

Yes, Candace is correct that I have boxed the ears of some scum balls and sent them on their way, sometimes to my sorrow in the aftermath of repercussions. I have jumped into physical abuse cases, stopped sexual harassment situation, and other events that were not my business because that is the way I was raised, in the same way I mentored my boys, but here’s the catch. Candace used a three letter word that started with “T” to refer to the upper potion of a woman. My comment was that in forty years of public activity in stores, bars, and restaurants, I have never heard any stranger make that statement in public, and the hero I am creating would never have tolerated that brashness without ripping the scum balls tongue out, and I still stand by that statement.

Not that some jerks aren’t crude (like, “Hey babe, are those real”), but even scum balls have limits.

Michael Davis (Davisstories.com)
Author of the Year, 2008

By: Donica Covey

Donica Covey — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:44:40 +0000

I’ll tell you Candy, you’re not the only one. I worked as a security guard for a distrbution center of well known department store. I was on camera/lot duty.

A man came zipping into the parking lot well above the speed limit. He drove the wrong way up the aisles to a parking spot. By the time his car was stopped I was out in the lot waiting on him. I informed him of the infractions he had earned and was warning him that after “x” number of infractions his job would be lost. I was explaining this, he stepped up, fist cocked demanding that I state if he was fired or not so he could go back home and drink.

The man was around 6 feet tall and he continued to step into my face, his fist waving. I glanced around to find three of my fellow security guards standing near the front door watching. None of these three men came to my defense.

I became increasingly angry and I stepped back in the mans face, my own fist raised. “Go ahead you SOB! Hit me! Come on, I dare ya! Do it! It’ll be the last thing you EVER do, I promise you that!”

He looked unsure then backed off. I let him go on into the building then after my quaking legs would support me I stormed up to my fellow guards. “Thanks a lot,” I spat, seething. “You were all just gonna stand here with your thumbs up your butts?!?!?!”

“No,” one of them replied. He leaned in close and whispered, “But as you started to go off on the guy I was too afraid to come over…”

I have to admit that I beleive your location has everything to do with it. The incident I described above occured in Wisconsin. However when I worked here in Missouri–also in security–my fellow guards did have my back. The men were very protective of me and I was treated with a great deal of respect.

Donica

By: Little Candy

Little Candy — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:00:25 +0000

Oh Angelica, what a sweet story! That is a romance novel in itself. Thanks for sharing.

And thank you, too, Allison for chiming in – even though you confirmed Big Mike’s stance…

By: Allison Knight

Allison Knight — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:49:21 +0000

I’ve talked to women who have had problems. I guess I’m lucky. The only time anyone tried something with me, I was with my husband. Oh, yes, he sure came to my defense. No fists flew, but it was a close thing.

Allison

By: Angelica Hart

Angelica Hart — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:39:38 +0000

Eons ago while still in high school, I worked in a men’s clothing store part time. One evening an obnoxious man was being overtly crude to me, and it just happened to be when the manager was on break. I was the only girl-clerk, and the salesmen on the floor pretended not to hear. However, this tall, swarthy complexed, dark-eyed stranger walked up, whispered something in the man’s ear that had him turn white and practically run out of the door in seconds. Two and half years later, I married the dark-eyed man and we’re still married.