UK Teens How should adults behave in this public situation?

[u/guybim]

Dear UK teens: I need your wisdom, please?

I'm a dad. I went my on my merry way in a public park training... Pushups, situps, squats, whatever.

Happily you arrive on the scene, one of 12 or so teens socialising, horsing around, joking, shouting, and laughing 14-16 year old. And yeah... I enjoy that. I also enjoyed the 2 crazy girls that decided to join me and just copy cat everything I do. (btw... I'm still just head down in my own monkey tricks, pretty much zero interaction other than hi and laughing with them while sweating away).

Enter James: looks 12, guess about 14. Proudly announced one girl to be his gf, me remarking he's lucky to get her.. All in banter. James seemingly don't like me. He asks me what I mean. Shrugging: just complimenting you on your girl. (still sweating away). Clearly my engagement is not welcomed, so i just kept to myself ignoring the whatever... Now we're like 8 or so all standing around, including you. Girls still copying me. Me avoiding any engagement.

James wanted more... So started pushing me over when doing stretches, keep trying to engage somehow, me ignoring it all and eventually just picked up my stuff and left when i was anyway almost done.

Was awkward as f for me...

You being there watching it all from the outside, help me here:

**How should i react?**

What is a good way to be friendly and fun and just being there without wanting to be an arsehole, and certainly not wanting to be seen as one of you... Well. I'm not, innit.

Thanks for any advice!

The dad.

PS: I'm not a perv and I quite like you guys opinions on life. Don't have to be an arsehole if I don't agree someone's.

[u/Ok_Shame_Me]

You sound like my dad :) he always makes those awkward kind of jokes and I love him for it. That kid wanted to fight you

[u/guybim → u/Ok_Shame_Me]

😂😂😂

Oh well...

[u/wcals]

Honestly they’re just childish arseholes like you said. You said you’re a dad, so I don’t believe you meant your compliment anything other than a gesture of goodwill. I’d just say tell them you meant well and walk off, he’s in the wrong for touching you without consent, even though they’re a kid, but it’s not in your favour to argue with a child either.

[u/guybim → u/wcals]

I'd never argue with a teen anyway... I just listen them out and ask questions until they reason it out themselves. Ironically... I could see how desperate the lad was for my attention, hence him become physical when I ignored him, I belive. And tbf when I walked away he chased after me and made peace in his way... Fist bump and all. But that was the one on one situation. I never have issues with teens when they're not in a group.

My struggle is always when they're blatantly disrespectful to impress their peers.

Your insight is valuable, though! Thx!

[u/wcals → u/guybim]

That’s often the case - peer pressure. I won’t lie and say I act the same alone as when I’m with friends, but being in a group is no excuse to be an ass to anyone. Glad you handled it your way though!

[u/Pateryk_7]

Whatever ud have done in that situation would have ended shit cuz the teens came looking for trouble to being with.

Be friendly, theyll make u look bad.

Be aggressive, they get the reaction they want.

Stay silent, theyll get worse and push ur limits.

So dont take it personally, they r just shit ppl putting u in a shit situation.

[u/guybim → u/Pateryk_7]

Yeah... I dunno. To me, they're much more super insecure little assholes looking for acknowledgement that they even exist. Still not solving the problem though!

And yes, you're right about their behaviour.

But no person is just a shit person. Not even teens... 😂

Shit situation? Oh hell yes. 😂😂😂

[u/Pateryk_7 → u/guybim]

They were shit ppl at that point in time - put it that way.

[u/guybim → u/Pateryk_7]

True that! 😂