Stupid ki-Wait...wha?

[TheRedHawk]

Yesterday the school was closed due to the holiday. But of course I had to work...at time and a half in a nice air conditioned building sitting in a comfy office chair most of the time reading a book. Of course, as this spot seems to be the most popular skateboarding site in this part of the city, a group of skateboarders showed up.

As a temporary measure(eventually they will have grind blockers installed) to try and stop skateboarders from grinding on the benches the administrators have had the large and heavy concrete trash cans located outside moved to the sides of said benches. These trash cans weigh over a hundred pounds. Since I'm sitting inside I don't notice the skateboarders until they actually move one of the trash cans and begin grinding away. So I go out to tell them to leave.

And...


Wait for it...


Not gonna believe it....



They left! With no argument! None! They even apologized and were polite to me! One of them even went through the obviously difficult task of moving the trash can back to its original place, without being asked to do so. I was dumbstruck.

Now, the only thing I can think of for why this happened is because these people were not actually kids. They looked like they were in their late teens, or even early 20's. Does a couple of years really make that much of a difference?

[Mr. Security]

Now, the only thing I can think of for why this happened is because these people were not actually kids. They looked like they were in their late teens, or even early 20's. Does a couple of years really make that much of a difference?

Surprisingly yes, I have found that skateboarders who are 16+ usually leave with very little fuss if you walk up to them and in a calm tone them them to move along they will pretty much leave with little problem, it's the 15 and under little bastards who stand there and argue with you and just try to make it as difficult as possible for you

[bloodrose]

I'm guessing as much as age it is the experiences of being asked to leave many times and learning that no amount of lip is going to get you what you want.... aaand, if you are polite and nice, people might let you skate or turn a blind eye. How cool that they were nice to you, though. Yaayyy!

[KhirasHY]

Does a couple of years really make that much of a difference?

Either that, or there are actually a few decent human beings left on this planet. Depending on which of us you ask (some of us are pessimists...or most of us), it could go either way

[Jay 2K Winger]

Now, the only thing I can think of for why this happened is because these people were not actually kids. They looked like they were in their late teens, or even early 20's. Does a couple of years really make that much of a difference?

Yes, it can.

To give you an example, my 8th grade year when I was living in Plano, TX was just miserable. I started school a month late (we moved shortly after Labor Day), so I was instantly branded "the new kid," in a new town, a new school, I didn't know ANYONE, and my attempts to deflect the teasing back on my tormentors backfired and they teased me WORSE. I hated it.

Fast forward a year later, I'm starting high school, and one of my former tormentors comes up to me in the halls and APOLOGIZES for everything he put me through. Most of my other tormentors had either moved or gone to private school, so 9th grade was considerably easier for my nerves, stress levels, and self-esteem. But I never forgot that guy apologized for being a dick the year before.

[MTNLaurelPoacher]

When you hit 16-18 (depending on the state) then you realize I'm an adult in the eyes of the state. I am no longer a juvenile. So if I am arrested or sued, I can't as easily get out of it.

Trespassing & vandalism do not look good on a job application.

[dithers66]

They may have been religious Christians. For all the bad hoopla you hear about them, they're the nicest people ever I find.