What would you have done?

[GUT]

Over 6'5" and 300 pounds? Yikes. -- Note to self. Be polite and respectful when addressing MR. BRAND on these boards.

c.d.

He's just a big teddy bear.

[Patrick S]

Agree. Too dangerous as the world is today. While I sympathize with your motivation to enact revenge, probably not the best example to leave with your kids. Just glad all are safe!

Well. Let's try and stop short of offering judgments on parenting, shall we? I didn't detail what conversations I may or may not have had with my boys after the fact.

That said, after someone nearly runs over you and your children in a crosswalk at the grocery story and then takes umbrage with the fact that you had the audacity to venture out in public, the adrenaline pumps and it's hard in that moment for some people - myself included - to think about the setting of examples for one's children. In fact, based on my temperament, I'm shocked that I was able to restrain myself to the extent that I did. As a former boxer and Olympic lifter, it's sometimes hard for me to restrain myself when my instinct and personality and experience compel me to respond in pretty specific (read: violent) way. Further, offering a critique on my parenting skills, seconds after someone nearly killed me and my two kids....maybe somewhat.....off base.

[Patrick S]

Steadman - I'm in the boat as you. Ten years ago I'd have reacted in a different way....and I'd be the one in trouble, not the guy who rolled into the crosswalk. The odd thing, though is that I think the guy behind the wheel deserved a beating and I when I think about the incident, I have a twinge of regret that I didn't administer it. Obviously, NOT wrecking the guy was - overwhelmingly - the right move. Yet, that's how I'm wired.

[Errata]

I am also glad everyone is ok!!!!....this is hard for me....the old me (I should say younger) who was very short tempered ( understatement to be sure) would probably have gone to his drivers side window.and if it was closed, punched it out and pulled him thru the window......now that I am older and a Taoist ( I say Taoism isn't for everyone...but it probably saved many people from a beating from me )..I would probably have just stood there and stared him down....not moving so he could drive away....just stood there....then again I'm 6'5 and over 300 pounds' so that alone prevents most people from even starting to yell at me ( I don't know why )......but as others have said that is probably the wrong choice....too many loons with guns....but that's what I would have done......I did LOVE your solution.....unofficially...as I work in insurance and know that technically you are now "liable" for his damage ....
what I really love is the officers reaction....especially the badges he gave your kids.....now that's what they will remember, not the ugly incident itself....kudos to a good cop!!!!

Steadmund Brand

Isn't there some Taoist saying like "Be not as the mantis in front of the cart" referencing the proud mantis whose self importance did not prevent him from getting smeared on the road in traffic?

[c.d.]

A former boxer and Olympic weightlifter? Another note to self - in addition to being polite and respectful to Stead...uh...Mr. Brand be sure to extend the same courtesy to Patrick...uh....make that Mr. Patrick.

Man, there must be somebody on these boards whose ass I can kick and who I can insult without fear.

c.d.

[Steadmund Brand]

Errata....thank you for that...I actually started laughing to myself at that quote....it was quite fitting....but as I'm sure you know. I meant I learned to control my anger.....

And C.D. .....not sure how to tell you this..but I am a former boxer, and boxing trainer ( hell I worked half of my life in the sport in one way or another....wow more than half...yikes)...of course I wasn't over 300 pounds then....

Patrick....my best friend was a Power Lifter....just reading that made me miss him, he passed away 5 years ago the day before Christmas.....RIP Jeff...I still miss you brother!!

Steadmund Brand

[GUT]

A former boxer and Olympic weightlifter? Another note to self - in addition to being polite and respectful to Stead...uh...Mr. Brand be sure to extend the same courtesy to Patrick...uh....make that Mr. Patrick.

Man, there must be somebody on these boards whose ass I can kick and who I can insult without fear.

c.d.

Now days I'm probably your man.

Back when I was fit and still playing front row of a league scrum maybe not.

[SuspectZero]

Well. Let's try and stop short of offering judgments on parenting, shall we? I didn't detail what conversations I may or may not have had with my boys after the fact.

That said, after someone nearly runs over you and your children in a crosswalk at the grocery story and then takes umbrage with the fact that you had the audacity to venture out in public, the adrenaline pumps and it's hard in that moment for some people - myself included - to think about the setting of examples for one's children. In fact, based on my temperament, I'm shocked that I was able to restrain myself to the extent that I did. As a former boxer and Olympic lifter, it's sometimes hard for me to restrain myself when my instinct and personality and experience compel me to respond in pretty specific (read: violent) way. Further, offering a critique on my parenting skills, seconds after someone nearly killed me and my two kids....maybe somewhat.....off base.

Now I feel bad because no critique or offense was intended, Patrick. Hindsight is always 20/20. My apologies.

[kensei]

If I make myself be impartial, I have to admit that parking lots in front of large stores of any kind- supermarkets, Wal-Mart, whatever- are absolute stress factories. They are always 95% full, it takes great effort to find a decent parking spot, you can't walk without fear of being hit by cars and you can't drive your car without pedestrians always being in the way and making you paranoid about hitting them. Frankly I'm amazed that there aren't vastly more accidents in those places than there are.

But in this case, yeah, the driver definitely reacted wrongly. I have imagined myself in a similar situation walking up to the driver's window and saying "Excuse me, but could you NOT kill me please? Appreciate it." I think that would put a person in their place, but I've never had the chance. However I have had the chance a couple of times to slap my hand down on a car and yell "HEY!!!" when I've almost been hit while walking across intersections.

[Patrick S]

Errata....thank you for that...I actually started laughing to myself at that quote....it was quite fitting....but as I'm sure you know. I meant I learned to control my anger.....

And C.D. .....not sure how to tell you this..but I am a former boxer, and boxing trainer ( hell I worked half of my life in the sport in one way or another....wow more than half...yikes)...of course I wasn't over 300 pounds then....

Patrick....my best friend was a Power Lifter....just reading that made me miss him, he passed away 5 years ago the day before Christmas.....RIP Jeff...I still miss you brother!!

Steadmund Brand

Sorry to hear that Steadman. My old o-lifting coach, now in his mid-sixties, is seeing most of former friends and competitors die way too young. That reminds me to give him a call and set up dinner sometime soon. Haven't seen him in a few months.

[c.d.]

"And C.D. .....not sure how to tell you this..but I am a former boxer, and boxing trainer ( hell I worked half of my life in the sport in one way or another....wow more than half...yikes)...of course I wasn't over 300 pounds then...."

My check is in the mail.

c.d.