keep me from destroying these snots!

[motorman4life]

If it comes up.. ask them in all seriousness if they have ever been out of the state. Then ask them if they have ever flown on a plane and ask them if they have ever been out of the country. Listen carefully to not just what they say, but how they respond. Act really interested in their answers and give the appearance that you are thinking about what they said.

Then tell them that when they grow up, they'll learn there is more to the world than what they have seen and grown up with and what they wear here may seem really, really odd to people in other places that wear different clothes and maybe even talk differently. Then remind them, that doesn't make them better, just different. The fact that they are free to be the same or different and to wear what they choose is what makes America great. It's what makes them LUCKY to be Americans.

Then hit them with this: Part of that awesome right.. the right as an American, to choose and wear what you want when you go out.. comes with a big responsibility and an understanding that other people get to choose and wear what they want too. If they choose to wear clothes that people might wear in other places, that's okay. It's called "freedom of choice" and that is what people have fought and died for in America.. freedom.

Close with this: Making fun of someone for what they wear is like saying other people can tell you what to wear or think.. it's like saying no one is allowed to make their own choices.. as if we didn't have any freedom here.. and that would really suck, wouldn't it?

Let us know how it goes.

[Doc Hudson]

Smashing the little buggers mentally as Motorman suggested might not be as physically satisfying as kicking their butts, but it is less likely to get you arrested and it is not as tiring.

I think Motorman gave you good advise, if you can no longer ignore the little morons.

Oh, and tell them to pull their pants up, cause they look like morons with their drawers showing.

[Iolaus]

If it comes up.. ask them in all seriousness if ...

Have you ever tried to reason with a 15 yr. old? ;)

If these kids repeatedly ridicule someone, there is no way they are going to then have a serious, rational conversation about the point of ridicule with that same person; it will simply turn into a series of smart-*** comments on their part, and more frustration on his part.

[bear]

My older son was having a problem with a kid in his class a few years ago. They had one scuffle and this disturbed kid was always getting my kid in trouble.
This other kid had problems. He often started swearing and screaming at teachers and throwing desks.
The school was worse than useless. They were so mired in bureaucracy, they were basically unable to make a simple decision.
Then this disturbed kid pushed my younger son down 5 stairs onto gravel, cutting his knees and hands.
When the school would only tell me, "we are aware of the problem," I took matters into my own hands.
I cornered the kid the next day against a wire sports fence and put my nose almost touching his.
"You stay away from my kid. You got it?"
He nodded, a bit defiant.
I raised my voice slightly and growled, "Do you understand?"
He nodded, this time afraid.
That was the last time he looked at my younger son and the incidents with my older son tapered off sharply.

In your case, I would stand close to the 16 year olds, smile my mean smile, and ask if they were looking for trouble.
A little intimidation can diffuse a lot of situations but you must be prepared to back up anything you suggest.

[macgreggor]

thanks for the input everybody!
i am afraid i have already had a couple of minor runins with this family and i think the only thing anyone would get out of a spanking would be some exercise on my part. maybe i just need to get that shirt i saw some years back that said "hey YOU! out of the gene pool"
nah they would never get it.
and the lessons in patience go on!
macG

[bubba]

How dirty do ya wanna play? I can think of a few things that would create lots of grief for em.

[Doc Hudson]

Maybe you should get a t-shirt with big initials fore and aft:

KMA

Then when the junior morons ask what it means, tell 'em.

[Big Paul]

It's a shame that little punks that just don't get it, grow up to be adults that just don't get it!

Just remember... Freinds help you move. Good friends help you move bodies.... J/K

[motorman4life]

Have you ever tried to reason with a 15 yr. old? ;)

If these kids repeatedly ridicule someone, there is no way they are going to then have a serious, rational conversation about the point of ridicule with that same person; it will simply turn into a series of smart-*** comments on their part, and more frustration on his part.

I'm a police officer. I not only get the pleasure of reasoning with with 15 year olds, but also 20, 30, 40 and 50 year olds that ACT like they are 15.

My tact is not to belittle or even insult them. If you make a kid believe you care about their hopes and dreams, you have a good chance of capturing their attention for about 30 to 40 seconds (on average). ;-)

It is the kids without any hopes or dreams that cannot be reached! Just because they have taunted him in the past does not mean he cannot get their attention by asking about their experiences. Let their response dictate how you address the issue.

If you ask them about world travel, airplanes and the like, you may peique their interest just enough to make them realize, if just for a fleeting moment, that there is a big world out there that they have yet to experience and if they close their minds to things that are different (even things in their own little world), they are selling themselves short. There is no reason to be afraid of things we don't understand.

Don't underestimate kids one-on-one. In groups of course, they are sheep and will play to the lowest common denominator. If you get one face-to-face and take a moment to wake up their spirit of adventure and point out how truly unAmerican and totally unCool it is to dictate to others, you may come out ahead. If you handle yourself in a mature way and don't try to insult them directly, I think you have good odds and at the very worst you just won't get through.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Silverlake_Punk]

Hey - I'm with Bear and motorman on this. Showing you aren't afraid without belittling anyone is the best route.

I teach 7th and 8th grade in South Central Los Angeles, and wear the kilt every day of the week. The kids who have been in the school for a while pretty much know me and at the most will occasionally engage in good-natured teasing. But a few times a year, a kid who's been booted from another school will show up, and then I gotta deal with that.

First off, I don't touch 'em in any way, not even a pat on the shoulder, but I will get in their personal space just to show I'm not intimidated. Next, I don't insult or threaten. But I do look them right in the eye without flinching. And I speak quietly. They probably get yelled at a lot and most likely expect me to yell, too. Speaking quietly surprises them, sets them a bit off balance, and usually keeps their attention long enough to hear me out. In any case, I find that it's not what I say, but how I approach kids that makes the difference. Once I show them that I won't be intimidated by them, but that I also won't try to insult them or make them feel stupid, they either leave me alone entirely or want to be my best friend.