Weird incident in light of terror attacks

[kora]

I literally just walked down to do some grocery shopping (am based in Paris for those who don't know) and a guy was leaning out of the window in my street, several floors up yelling at me as I walked passed (in french) " 18 and not veiled, you display your hair, might as well display your ass. How old are you? Hey? You'll see, this is the calm before the storm, the world is going to be overturned." Amongst other such things.

Several thoughts have crossed my mind.

First of all, the guy cannot be completely insane because he is leaning out of his apartment window and so must at least have the mental presence to be somewhat self-sufficient.

Second of all, his rant is obviously of muslim nature because he requires that I wear a veil and the district I live in has a muslim population.

Thirdly, it is like he is leaning out of the window saying these things celebrating the attacks that happened earlier today, he was saying it to strike fear into me, and it must be the brussels news that prompted him.

Fourthly, it crossed my mind that it would be highly unlikely for a potential terrorist to advertise their thoughts in this manner, except that maybe a lot of extremists of this kind are rather thick.

I am contemplating reporting the incident to nearby police, I memorized the window he was leaning out of. What do you think? Am I being silly and paranoid?
__________________

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

You aren't paranoid, it's good to be careful. It may be worthwhile to consider some means of self defence from assault or riots, France isn't at its most peaceful moments these days.

If there's some kind of reporting system going on be sure to use it, it most likely won't help but it just might.

I view this kind of behaviour as a masculine form of group identity, he won't participate in the attacks, but he views attackers as his brothers and he thinks of the area as muslim. I've seen and heard about such sentiments, there are downsides to living in a multicultural environment with populations of varying degrees of adaptation to the prevalent national identity.

Media do a lot wrong to inflame the situation. Sudden ostracism will lead to greater separation and radicalisation of behaviour, but it's not like being forthcoming or tolerant will achieve much to subdue anger in the short-term either. France needs time to settle and choose good lasting solutions, recent events don't help.


I live in Europe but similar thing would be unthinkable in my country, that guy would end up badly beaten or dead the next day.

I think most insecure muslim youth are potential recruits, they are often forced to lend money or participate in attacks much like mafia exerts its influence over the weaker links.

 

[kora]

Police station near me is shut, I'll report it tomorrow, I'm sure they can't do crap about this kind of stuff though. They will say something like "well we have to see them do it."

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

I was thinking more about the special (maybe anonymous) communication channels, I assumed there was something put in place after the situation you are in.

Reporting at a station given you have no evidence and no damage to report, no identification or information to follow up on may be pointless.

I don't think the danger is too large, but there sure is more crazies running around these days so knowing your surroundings and being a bit more vigilant going back from work, etc. won't hurt.

Take care Higs.

 

[Ex-User (11125)]

yeah i agree with what blarraun said in posts 2 and 4
isnt there something like a sexual assault hotline in your area? verbal harassment of sexual nature should be one of the things they deal with

 

[kora]

I like how you guys just assume I have a phone. Technophiles.

Also his comments were not really of a sexually harassing nature, more along the lines of "showing your hair is like showing your butt, you shameless witch."

The most upsetting thing to me was the "calm before the storm, an Islamist attack is imminent you'll get what's coming to you" thing.

 

[kora]

Oh yeah there is a terrorism vigilance site thing.

 

[PaulMaster]

If I was a female Id carry some mace or learn some jiu jitsu for self defense. Hell, Im a full grown man and thats what I do already.

Muslims these days, man...wtf is going on?
Im not so sure its plain ol brainwashing that has me thinking Islamic principles are not good for our world. I really think the religion itself creates some nasty stuff. Anyone listen to Sam Harris talk about Islam?

 

[Ex-User (11125)]

I like how you guys just assume I have a phone. Technophiles.

Also his comments were not really of a sexually harassing nature, more along the lines of "showing your hair is like showing your butt, you shameless witch."

The most upsetting thing to me was the "calm before the storm, an Islamist attack is imminent you'll get what's coming to you" thing.

i got the impression that he's power tripping on you because you're visibly female tho.
i doubt he would have chosen to verbally harass a guy to boost his self worth

Yeah, because trying to control speech has worked thus far. The Oppression Olympics will get worse and worse, especially in this context.

now that i think about it, you're right i guess

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

I literally just walked down to do some grocery shopping (am based in Paris for those who don't know) and a guy was leaning out of the window in my street, several floors up yelling at me as I walked passed (in french) " 18 and not veiled, you display your hair, might as well display your ass. How old are you? Hey? You'll see, this is the calm before the storm, the world is going to be overturned." Amongst other such things.

The fanatics not fanatical enough to engage in violence are becoming emboldened.

 

[Analyzer]

Bounce man. Go to Latin America, Asia, maybe Africa.

 

[Fukyo]

I would report it. Maybe not now, but if it happens again. Why do you think the police wouldn't care? I would think they would be rather responsive to complaints of such incidents given everything that has been happening in your country. I'd try to do it anonymously if at all possible.

 

[Sly-fy]

If I was a female Id carry some mace or learn some jiu jitsu for self defense. Hell, Im a full grown man and thats what I do already.

Muslims these days, man...wtf is going on?
Im not so sure its plain ol brainwashing that has me thinking Islamic principles are not good for our world. I really think the religion itself creates some nasty stuff. Anyone listen to Sam Harris talk about Islam?

Here in Australia all forms of self-defense are banned and zero tollerance for anything that could be used as a weapon, including combs. You`re not even allowed to punch back in most cases, just "call the police..." It creates a culture of over-reliance on the government and the "government knows best" syndrome.

 

[TBerg]

By the time you are mugged and stabbed, the police will save the day, surely.

Talk about the helplessness of living without natural rights.

 

[PaulMaster]

Here in Australia all forms of self-defense are banned and zero tollerance for anything that could be used as a weapon, including combs. You`re not even allowed to punch back in most cases, just "call the police..." It creates a culture of over-reliance on the government and the "government knows best" syndrome.

That sucks for sure. Id still learn some hand to hand skills. It might or might not be worth carrying something anyway, depending on the probability of violence and the nerve of the individual.

Here in the states, people of all walks of life carry weapons of all sorts, from mace to blunt objects to knives to guns.

Whats that saying...when seconds matter, the police are only minutes away.

 

[Analyzer]

By the time you are mugged and stabbed, the police will save the day, surely.

Talk about the helplessness of living without natural rights.

Yup. Obviously people who violate your right to live, don't respect any notion of natural rights. If we live in the "state of nature", the one Hobbes talks about, his leviathan has sure been incompentent in regulating this state.

These type of incidents give more support that all you have, as an individual, is the ability to control and rule yourself. Whether that's defending yourself from criminals, independently pursuing your own life, or determining who you associate with. We just like to create systems to try to make this more comfortable.

 

[Archer]

I don't think what he said would be actionable legally, however reporting it wouldn't hurt.

Here in Australia all forms of self-defense are banned and zero tollerance for anything that could be used as a weapon, including combs. You`re not even allowed to punch back in most cases, just "call the police..." It creates a culture of over-reliance on the government and the "government knows best" syndrome.

That's bullshit. There are some similarly shitty self defense laws in London.

 

[Sly-fy]

By the time you are mugged and stabbed, the police will save the day, surely.

Even if they do catch him (yeah right *bursts out laughing*) he`ll probably get a 6 month suspended sentence or community service...

 

[Pyropyro]

The fanatics not fanatical enough to engage in violence are becoming emboldened.

Indeed. I think getting the terrorists before they do weird shit is top priority. If they see their "heroes" killed or captured (without access to the media, that simply make them martyrs) then they'll go back to their hidey-holes.

@higs: yeah, report that dude. Even if he won't be accused of a crime, the police might still tag him as a person of interest.

 

[TheManBeyond]

I wonder how many terrorists r tracking our words here.

 

[Haim]

Just another stupid/unstable person, meaningless actionless words.

Media do a lot wrong to inflame the situation. Sudden ostracism will lead to greater separation and radicalisation of behaviour, but it's not like being forthcoming or tolerant will achieve much to subdue anger in the short-term either. France needs time to settle and choose good lasting solutions, recent events don't help.

Not having separation is the problem, having the problem on low fire is worse than short bursts, low fire is more damaging but you won't do anything with that because you don't feel it is significant, to actually solve the problem things need to break first, the problem is not muslims feelings nor religion but the multiculturalism itself, people like to be with people alike them.

Religion is just an excuse and a part of their culture, their is a reason for their actions unrelated to religion.

 

[EditorOne]

I waited to comment to see if I'd still be angry a day later. It's something I learned a long time go to avoid acting in too much haste. However, I am still angry.

I'd have gone up to that guy's apartment and asked him to repeat what he said, since I am somewhat deaf and wasn't completely sure he'd hurled personal insults into a public street. Then I'd have kicked his fucking obnoxious ass all the way down the steps. Then I'd have taken the French constitution and shoved it up his butt. I justify all this on the grounds that the dipstick was tiresome and failed to mind his own business, which to me is a top-of-the-line offense.

Admittedly I am not an unarmed woman, but still. People need to keep their superstition-addled women-hating small-handed horseshit to themselves.

 

[crippli]

I would have told the guy that the comment was of a low quality. And not waiting to hear the reply.

 

[redbaron]

I waited to comment to see if I'd still be angry a day later. It's something I learned a long time go to avoid acting in too much haste. However, I am still angry.

I'd have gone up to that guy's apartment and asked him to repeat what he said, since I am somewhat deaf and wasn't completely sure he'd hurled personal insults into a public street. Then I'd have kicked his fucking obnoxious ass all the way down the steps. Then I'd have taken the French constitution and shoved it up his butt. I justify all this on the grounds that the dipstick was tiresome and failed to mind his own business, which to me is a top-of-the-line offense.

Admittedly I am not an unarmed woman, but still. People need to keep their superstition-addled women-hating small-handed horseshit to themselves.

 

[kora]

I actually lent against a wall and listened to his rant, whilst memorizing his window etc... Then I laughed at him and walked off. I didn't bother to answer although a few things came to my head, I thought laughing was the best reaction as laughter is the social tool for humiliation and shows lack of fear.

Thanks to all who answered, I'm feeling rather affectionate about this place atm.

 

[Tannhauser]

That is the whole point of terrorism. You instill fear into people, and then you leverage that fear to impose your own rules. Muslims understand that intuitively.

 

[Polaris]

^ Any asshole understands that intuitively, not just Muslims. They just happen to get more attention with their methods as they wish to be seen. Silent terror does not make the same headlines - it's not dramatic enough.

I was in London during the bombings. I wasn't frightened - it just made me more defiant. What worried me more was the panic it seemed to instill - people were hysterical - cramming into buses to get themselves out of town, and creating quite dangerous situations by doing so. This is exactly what the terrorists want - panic. And politicians love it, because it gives them leverage during campaigns.

Fucking stupid, the whole terrorism hysteria. I guess it keeps media (Murdoch) and sensationalist-hungry people happy.

Actually, if it wasn't for terrorism, we would probably be in more trouble. Terrorism keeps violence to a minimum because fear tactics are more efficient and less costly than full-scale war. Old fashioned war seems silly when you can use drones and terror to achieve the same result. Keeps everyone in check. The war is there -we just don't notice it as much - and nobody has to admit to war-mongering.