uptown_gargoyle t1_iu4f88a wrote on October 28, 2022 at 1:59 PM

In that exact situation the only other thing I can think of besides doing nothing would be to stand up, but keep a good amount of distance, and say to those kids "Hey, do you guys wanna come sit back here?"

Either the kids were unfazed, which, if that's the case, good on them; or they felt like they might have been put at risk by turning their backs and walking away, in which case knowing that you're there and watching and inviting them to back away might make it easier for them.

am_pomegranate OP t1_iu4i7e5 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:20 PM

I wish I could do that, but I'm also a kid. It was definitely the latter though; they got off at the same stop as me and the boy told me he didn't want to talk about it when I asked if he was okay.

tonymeatballs2 t1_iu4oi52 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:03 PM

😥🙏

AbsentEmpire t1_iu4vq7j wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:52 PM

That's such a traumatic experience to be in at that age, good on you for trying to talk to him about it.

No children should ever be subject to this bullshit and fuck everyone who says we should allow addicts to just keep doing this.

notworkingghost t1_iu5netv wrote on October 28, 2022 at 6:57 PM

I was wondering about your age and sex. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. A bunch of grownups have let you down. Someone should have stepped up in the ways people describe above. I have been in your shoes and the shoes of the kids by the door. It sucks. Sorry.

realityhofosho t1_iu5d2lc wrote on October 28, 2022 at 5:47 PM

Thank you for at least asking him, though. It's probably better than I would have done as a teen.

Ooof, how the hell to combat our collective apathy in order to raise up against the criminal (or ill) element that has become so pervasive? The scary part? They are winning. They scariER part? We are letting them.

FWIW - (I am also totally guilty of this, btw. The question is - how to stop?)