Blatant hostile verbal attack on pup (long)

[Joette]

Ok Everyone, this is a scenario I was unprepared to deal which quite so soon and would appreciate some input. I'm sure most have you have encountered similiar situations.

To give a little background, I live in a very small, tight knit community where everyone knows what everyone else is doing, but still reads the local paper to see who got caught at it. Got to love small town living! It is a county where Jeff Foxworthy's "you know you're a redneck when ....." often applies, and having lived here for a very long time, I was prepared for most everything that came with Titan's arrival to my home. However, this one caught me a little by surprise.

Scenario:

I am at the gas station last evening with Titan, of course in the car. This guy, I don't even know, sees Titan in the car and comes up to me and says, that's a rottweiler puppy, isn't it? When I answer him, yes, he goes on to tell me that they are totally worthless, really cute as puppies but when they grow up they are as worthless as ( *** insert racial slur here ****), and that if a dog doesn't hunt, they have no purpose so no point in having them. (condensed reader's digest version)

Needless to say, I was more than a little taken back, and the only response I could think of was, well, Rotts have a bad reputation because of uninformed idiots like you and exactly what would YOUR purpose in life be?

He just gave me a dirty look and left. I know there had to be a better way to handle this, and I expected some people to be not TOTALLY receptive to Titan's obvious cuteness and charm, but this unsolicited blatant hostile negativity was something I was unprepared for. Anyone have any suggestions on how to tactfully handle the next one. I suspect there will be more, and probably several at first OB class.

[godfreyc]

Sorry, but I don't put up with "racial slurrs" and that's the first thing I would have unloaded on him about. Tact wouldn't have come into play at any point of the coversation as he made his retreat.

[babybluetx23]

At that point I probably would have just said Oh Ok thanks for the info and walked away.

When we first got Harley we took him to a friends house so he could look at my car. Anyway This friend of mine took one llok at Harley (Who at the time was only 7 weeks old) And told me he could never come back to my house again as long as Harley is around. I asked him why and he said because they are MEAN dogs. I then proceeded to say to him, Oh Ok thanks and walked away.

There are only three responses you can have to ignorant people.
1. Educate them
2. ignore them
3. SMACK THEM UPSIDE THEIR HEAD AND TELL THEM HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT THEY ARE. (But then they can press charges against you for asult so I normally choose One of the two options above)

Hope that helps!

[LORHEL]

Since you were obviously dealing with an IGNORANT ranting lunatic, then the only way to handle that is with stupidity that they can understand...

In other words, trying to educate them about the breed or anything for that matter, is beyond their capabilities..... I would say something polite like

you obviously DONT KNOW JACK about rottweilers, and furthermore your racial slander shows your axx and intelligence level...NONE YOU JERK

[jakesfostermom]

Lorhel said it best! :) I'm waiting for the first time I have to respond to an idiot who comments about my rottie ownership.....and I'm using these great comebacks when it happens.....

[LynnS]

Well he pretty much gave away his IQ with the racial slur...
People can think what they will but its the "in your face" rudeness that I take issue with.

[Stubby]

Well, it's done and over with, so not much one can do about that situation.

If it ever occured again, simply roll up your windows in the persons face and drive away. If you can't do that, ask them to please leave you alone, as you did not ask for their opinion.

Unfortunately, people like this are often not very receptive to what you have to say back to them, so reasoning with them is usually a waste of time.


Small minds...

[JD102175]

I think it's fun to just stare at the person with one eye-brow cocked, arms folded across the chest, saying nothing. Usually the person will either become totally pissed at the lack of response and just leave or, better yet, become embarrassed and leave. Either way, they leave. I'm not wasting my breath on stupid, ignorant people who will attack someone just because of the breed of dog they own.

Jaime

[tilerspop]

Joette - I liked the response you said you used, I think it was just about perfect. Most times people with small closed minds don't have much of a purpose in life.
The biggest thing to do is just blow it off and walk away, do not let it devolve into a shouting match, or worse an assault situation. Welcome to Rottie ownership.

[Brooke&Ryan]

How sad, Joette & I'm sorry that you had to deal with that.

I also do not cope well with the use of racial slurs. I used to volunteer for the Anti-Racist Action & were very involved in the community. It became a bit too dangerous for my liking but it still shocks me that there are people out there with those close-minded views. How sad....

I agree with Stubby. Rolling up the windows & driving away would be a good thing to do. But, knowing me, I would have ripped into him for using the slur.

Brooke

[Joette]

Originally Posted by tilerspop

Joette - I liked the response you said you used, I think it was just about perfect. Most times people with small closed minds don't have much of a purpose in life.
The biggest thing to do is just blow it off and walk away, do not let it devolve into a shouting match, or worse an assault situation. Welcome to Rottie ownership.

Thanks everyone. I try not to engage in a battle of the wits with those who are so obviously unarmed, and I have given up attempting to address the obvious stupidity and sheer ignorance of the racial comments over the years and have adopted the attitude that what goes around comes around. This one, however, really caught be off guard and wasn't prepared. Next time (and I'm sure there will be a next time) I'll be better prepared. Thanks again, all of you. I'm rather enjoying my Rottie ownership ;) :D

[LavenderRott]

We don't do racial slurs in my house either.

Personally, I loved your response and am kind of disappointed that he didn't tell you what his purpose in life was.

[Rott'n'Pit]

definately one of those "orgasmic" individuals in the world. what can you do, no matter what there is always osmeone that will have a problem with what you do. Now me personally, I could neve rhandle that situation properly, I have to give you huge props onnot going psycho on that guy. I would have without question. You were the bigger person and sent him on his way.... I envy your restraint.
Not only is he going to rethink his stand on rotties but also the mentality of the owners. You did a good thing.

[Lefty]

The guy sounds like a loser, not even worth you acknowledging his existence. Some people can be so narrow minded.

[angel girl]

My response, and all so far have been good:

"Your uninvited, insignificant little opinion has been noted, and summarily disregarded."