The other night, my wife, Peppa, and I were out for a walk when two guys started walking behind us. At first, I did not think much of it, but they stayed a little too close for too long. You know that gut feeling when something just does not sit right? I figured it was better to be proactive than let the situation develop into something worse.
As they followed us, I glanced back a few times to make it clear I was aware of them. I kept it casual but obvious. Still, they kept getting uncomfortably close. So I finally turned around and said, “You guys good? You are getting a little close for my taste, and you are making me nervous. I am from the Bronx, and situations like this have a way of not ending well.”
I was not trying to be aggressive or escalate things, just letting them know I was paying attention. Sometimes a little confidence and directness is enough to discourage someone who might be thinking about causing trouble.
They mumbled something and moved along, no big deal. To lighten the mood, I followed up with, “Were you guys just using us to shield yourselves from the wind?” That got a laugh out of them, and they kept walking toward a chicken spot.
The whole thing was a good reminder of how important it is to stay situationally aware, especially when you are with the people and pup you care about most.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
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