Some children tried to steal my hat yesterday

[-30-]

"What do I do if I see them again?"
ninman.

It's their Modus Operandi; yours should be, Prepare for The Worst and Hope for The Best.

Regards,
J T

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

So I was going out for a walk on this nice path beside a canal near where I live. Some children were riding their bikes and took my hat off my head then demanded money to give it back to me. Apparently it was because they were offended because they said "hi" to me and I didn't really give a response.

Has anyone else had something like this happen to them? If so, what's the best way to deal with it?

You say you were near a canal? I think you already have the answer.

 

[KY Crusader]

Here's the real question though. I go walking up there quite a lot, for the exercise. What do I do if I see them again?

At least for a while, I would find places to walk either where those kids are not likely to be found or where there will be other people about. I know it sucks to have to alter your lifestyle like this, and I understand that it may not be the most macho thing to do; but, as I and others have stated, avoiding a situation that is difficult to deal with just makes sense.

I agree 100% with those who have stated that you handled the situation about as best as could be expected: You got your hat back and you did not give the kids a reason to hold a grudge against you or report you to the authorities for being abusive to them (which, I believe, is where the real danger lies). But you can bet that they are not going to change, and next time your encounter them you may not be so fortunate. Remember, you're not altering your lifestyle because you're afraid of the kids; but because you're afraid of what you might be forced to do if the situation escalates. Same reason that I just smile, wave, and move on when someone flips me the bird or tries to get my ire when I'm driving...I'm a CCW holder who is usually carrying, and I understand the dire consequences of getting into any altercation under such circumstances.

 

[ninman]

Thanks for the advice guys. Btw, I've been told that my new Fed 4 in Moonstone will be arriving on Monday, which is awesome. I think that's going to be my work hat, and my DM adventurer will just be my every day hat.

 

[KY Crusader]

Thanks for the advice guys. Btw, I've been told that my new Fed 4 in Moonstone will be arriving on Monday, which is awesome. I think that's going to be my work hat, and my DM adventurer will just be my every day hat.

Great color in a great hat!

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Prehaps the kids will prefer the Fed lV & decide to keep it.

 

[ninman]

Prehaps the kids will prefer the Fed lV & decide to keep it.

If they do that then there will be violence .

 

[Dan Allen]

Years ago I had something similar happen. A couple of kids announced a desire to have my hat, then smiled and walked on looking over their shoulders at me as they left. Perhaps the Ben Hogan #1 driver I always used as a "walking stick" had something to do with it

 

[LeBois46]

I don't believe, your hat had anything to do with the situation. Could have been your pipe, tie, shoes or nose.

Though very tempting, I'm not even sure, we can blame "the times" and their "moral decay". Our (grand)fathers' generation could be the inspiration: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_Hat_Riot

From the earliest of days the parental generations have been whining about the generation, they themselves created. Whether it's due to a breach in our biological hardware or software, I don't know, but young people's bad behavior has always been among our favorite issues - but we never seem to point the finger at ourselves or our friends/family. Interesting

I am reminded of this quote,
“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.” Socrates

 

[tommyK]

Perhaps walk there with a hat you don't value so much.

Walk with a cane or umbrella. Put it through the spokes of one of these thugs bikes.
Watch and enjoy.
Then get ready to run because the others whose bikes still function may give chase

 

[moontheloon]

This conversation is baffling and hilarious at the same time

... as you were

 

[Gromulus]

"You ever heard of Jeff Cooper's four levels of awareness--white, yellow, orange, red?"
KY Crusader.

Jeff Cooper.
RIP.

Regards,
J T

Not to mention "Condition 1" readiness.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

"fire a few warning shots"
HudsonHawk.

What is a Warning Shot?
LOL.

Regards,
J T

In my experience this is what people say after they have missed...

 

[RJR]

At least for a while, I would find places to walk either where those kids are not likely to be found or where there will be other people about. I know it sucks to have to alter your lifestyle like this, and I understand that it may not be the most macho thing to do; but, as I and others have stated, avoiding a situation that is difficult to deal with just makes sense.

I agree 100% with those who have stated that you handled the situation about as best as could be expected: You got your hat back and you did not give the kids a reason to hold a grudge against you or report you to the authorities for being abusive to them (which, I believe, is where the real danger lies). But you can bet that they are not going to change, and next time your encounter them you may not be so fortunate. Remember, you're not altering your lifestyle because you're afraid of the kids; but because you're afraid of what you might be forced to do if the situation escalates. Same reason that I just smile, wave, and move on when someone flips me the bird or tries to get my ire when I'm driving...I'm a CCW holder who is usually carrying, and I understand the dire consequences of getting into any altercation under such circumstances.

+1 re CCW.

 

[makitright]

Here in Texas, you just pull out your concealed hand gun, fire a few warning shots, and the problem usually takes care of itself.

Kids are being unruly...so what to do?...just pull out your gun....brilliant idea.

 

[Blackthorn]

Say "Hi" I guess.

I still think this would have prevented the whole thing. If they were looking for violence, they'd never have given his hat back at all. Since they did, I think courtesy might have kept this from being an issue.

 

[Frunobulax]

Kids are being unruly...so what to do?...just pull out your gun....brilliant idea.

That's the beauty of CCW. In Texas, you just assume everybody is carrying and you keep your mitts off their possessions.

I still think this would have prevented the whole thing. If they were looking for violence, they'd never have given his hat back at all. Since they did, I think courtesy might have kept this from being an issue.

If the little buggers cared a whit for "courtesy," they wouldn't have committed the crime. This was a power play, pure and simple. Thugs being thugs. If it weren't this reason, it would be another reason. If it weren't ninman, it would have been somebody else.

This conversation is baffling and hilarious at the same time

... as you were

Indeed!

 

[scottyrocks]

Here's the real question though. I go walking up there quite a lot, for the exercise. What do I do if I see them again?

Say hello.

 

[ninman]

I still think this would have prevented the whole thing. If they were looking for violence, they'd never have given his hat back at all. Since they did, I think courtesy might have kept this from being an issue.

I do not have to talk, or say "hello", to every person I meet on the street, and certainly not children. I should not have to fear being harassed, or having my property stolen, simply because I was minding my own business and didn't want to talk to anyone.

I think what drew their attention was my hat, because it's very rare to see people wearing hats, and my Akubra obviously stands out among hat wearers in general.

Children here are generally like this. I had children making fun of my ex-wife because she was Chinese before. I've had children shout at me from their car to try and give me a fright. I've even had children throwing water on me from their cars when I was doing nothing more than walking down the street.

It's something that's very hard to take, when you want to do nothing more than live your life, wear the clothes you enjoy wearing and do the things you enjoy doing, which does not hurt or bother anyone else.

 

[Blackthorn]

You're right, you don't have to say hello to every person you meet. But lack of courtesy is one of the biggest problems in society today, and has its repercussions. You are free to choose what you do but you are not free of the consequences of your choices.