A couple of years ago, when Don and I were shopping at a local supermarket, I was stopped by an elderly "gent" of at least 80 years. He was about 5' 6", weedy-looking and somewhat shaky.
"Can you help me, Miss?" he asked. At this point in time, he was vaguely pointing to something on a shelf higher than he could reach. "Of course!" I said. As I reached for whatever it was, he said, "No I don't want you to help me up there. I want you to help me down here," motioning to his privates.
I still recall the humiliation I felt. I went off in search of Don and told me that some old geezer had pointed to himself and asked me to "help him out." Predictably, Don was furious and went off in search of the old boy. I guess he must have moved pretty fast because we couldn't find him anywhere, but in truth, I was rather relieved. I just couldn't see Don giving this ancient old perve a tongue lashing.
After this, I started questioning myself. "Did I look cheap?" "Do I give out the wrong message?" all that silly stuff. I was wearing a pair of jeans and a turtle neck at the time, but had I been wearing my opaque black tights and a mini, I am quite sure I would have blamed myself for the incident somehow. But why? If this had been a 30-year-old, I would have slapped him round the face and called the store manager. I think I was so shocked by the fact the man was in his 80s, that I couldn't respond appropriately.
Of course, this particular tale has given rise to a lot of mirth among friends, but I still feel guilty and somehow to blame. How ridiculous is that? This whole thing resurfaced today when I heard that an 85-year-old man had been put in a detention centre for flashing women at a bus stop. Good. I'm glad he didn't get away with it simply because he was older and someone decided to let the incident go believing he had merely lost his marbles. I only wish I had grabbed this aging Casanova by the arm and escorted him over to the mall security desk.
So my question to you is, what would you have done? Walked off as I did only to regret letting him get away with it? Made a scene? Whacked him over the head with a cereal box? Is old age any excuse at all (he really was very old and very frail...)
6 comments:
Your just too nice. I'd have pushed him over on his ancient ass and poured the cereal and milk over him. Just because his old doesn't mean he didn't know EXACTLY what he was doing.
This is actually funny, Rosina, at least to someone with a warped sense of humour like me. Like anonymous up there, I'd have clobbered him but I know that in the heat (haha) of the moment that probably didn't occur to you. Too bad Don didn't get to have a word or two to set him straight. It's not hard to imagine what he must have been like when he was younger.
I would have assumed he was senile and just left him alone.
Lee here... I'd have knocked him over. That's just disgusting. Senile, my eye... He took advantage of your kindness. I find it very strange that he disappeared so fast, considering he was so frail. He must do this routinely. Anyway, sweetie, you did nothing wrong. He's just a classic DOM.
I would've said something like "in your dreams gramps"... and walked away (probably resisting the urge of letting out a big roaring -and embarrassing laugh !)
Lots of different opinions :) Thanks all. Yuuki, I wish I had said something like that, but I was honestly too taken aback to even squeak.
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