I've never hit a women, but today I got close.
I was shaking when I sat down, with the effort to control my anger.
Those who know me, know I might grumble and get annoyed easily, but I don't have a temper, and few people have see me 'lose it'.
There are a group (5) of women who arrived late on Thursday night and woke me up by having a loud inconsiderate conversation in the passage outside out room. They woke me up at 7am this morning and I can hear one of their high whiney voices through the wall now.
I call them 'The Primark Women' due to their ski outfits which they think look expensive and classy but aren't. The other day during the ski hosting, one spent the whole morning on the phone yelling at her manicurist because her nails had chipped and how was she meant to go out. I kid you not. They've also complained loudly that this is the first time they have had to carry their own skis.
They are not my favourite people.
They had a minor strop this morning with us, on the ski busses. We were already all in the chalet bus when 5 of them appeared. Late. However the bus only had 4 seats. The chalet guy doing the driving asked if I minded sitting on the floor in the back, which I didn't as I am pretty easy going. Maria on the other hand is rather safety conscious, and objected (politely) as they all clambered in.
They then all got quite stroppy and clambered out, and the last we heard was one of them calling Maria "poker face over there". Still they were late, didn't say thanks when I moved to sit on the floor in the back, nor offered to sit their themselves when Maria objected, so we didn't care that much as we drove off.
I suspect this was part of the build up for the fight later on.
After a rather pleasant Sunday meal (roast) followed by an explanation of the 16 cheese on offer we all got up to sample the fromage on offer. A friend of mine was in front of me, Maria behind me and the Primark Women pushed in front of two other friends of mine behind Maria. Since there was more than enough cheese for everyone thrice over they didn't care and let them go.
we get to the front of the line, and a few cheese selections in there is a pause as one of the guests asks to take a picture of the chef and his wife serving the cheese. Barely a minute passes when the Primark Women get fustrated with having to wait. I guess those who seem to model themselves after Paris and Posh don't like waiting.
Maria gets pushed twice in the back as a 'hurry up'. Bare in mind we're in a chalet, there's enough cheese for everyone, and their is no reasons to rush at all. Maria being slightly less patient than me, leans back a bit in annoyance.
And then it starts to go a bit down hill.
I have no recollection of some of finer details as due to my subsequent anger, some of the exact words that were said are lost to me.
The Primark Women at the head of the queue starts to have a go at Maria. For leaning back, for not moving forward fast enough, but I think mostly for not wanting me to sit in a dangerous position on chalet bus in the morning.
I, sensing this, turn around, step back, position Maria in front of me, and say to her, somethign along the lines of "why don't you go in front". Again I can't rememberer the finer nuances of the words said next but the women says, "I would have done that too" to me, along with some insult to Maria.
I turn around and say (more or less) "Leave it alone, we're all trying to have a good time here, just relax". I was entirely non confrontational, calm and polite.
The women then launches into it, and starts really having a go. Again I say something along the lines of just leave it alone, we're all trying to enjoy our holidays here, this isn't anything worth the stress.
The women then starts waving her fork inches from my face and and insulting Maria repeatedly.
The red mist descends. Waving a fork in face doesn't help either.
It takes every ounce of my self control not to lose it. And I'm not someone who has a temper.
I raise my hand.
I put it on the fork and push the fork away from my face and lower it.
I say, "Stop insulting my girlfriend and leave it alone. We're on holiday and just trying to have a good time. Please stop this"
She threatens to punch me and then walks off.
I breath in, turn around select some cheeses and walk to sit down.
I count to 20. I look at my hands which are shaking. It's a reaction to anger.
I take a bite of cheese. I force my self not to cry. It's also a reaction to anger. I don't know why.
I joke with my friends and get over it.
I do not understand some people.
The world revolves around non of us.
1. Danzor
I haven’t read this post yet, but: WOMAN! WOMAN! Not women! You can’t hit ‘a’ women. You either hit women, plural, or a woman, singular.
2. Danzor
Alright I’m done. It sounds like you kept your temper really well and did your best to control the situation, beyond the restraint of any normal person. I’ve had that feeling too where I sit down all shaking with adrenaline because I got so angry. It’s not a nice feeling. Still, you did everything right and didn’t back down. How much longer do you have to spend in the company of these almighty bitches?
Hope you’re okay dude! Well done.
3. Gert
As I said on Twitter, there are people who, having paid for their holiday, are determined to have a good time come what may, irrespective of the impact that his might have on other people who have similarly paid for their holiday.
Secondly, there are people who go through life with an attitude problem. The more they misbehave, the more they provoke reactions such as yours. Eventually, all they get is reactions such as yours, and they conclude that the whole world is like that, always, thus “justifying” their attitude.
Thirdly, there’s nothing like strength in numbers or group bravado.
My sympathies are with you. I can picture the situation, with me being Maria and Jimmy being you.
4. nrgza
Amazed that you managed to hold back Ade, I don’t know that I would’ve.
I know the feeling well - overwhelming anger that makes you tingle all over, combined with total disbelief that someone can act the way that person is acting.
I’m so impressed with the way you handled it! Bet her friends think she’s a right tw*t for the way she behaved (but they won’t say it to her face).
5. Jamie
Tough time Adrian - when you are back in the office remind me to show you my classic “Smell My Cheese” physical gag. Sounds like it would have been very apt given the circumstances described!
6. Pete
Crikey, I could feel my temper rising just reading that. Keeping your lid was no small feat there.
Anyone else here seen “In Bruges”?
7. Jack Pandemian
Have the words ‘just relax’ ever made anyone actually relax ever? Makes me instantly furious, second only to being told to ‘smile’.
Nevertheless, you are obviously in the right and I think your course of action here is clear. Bribe the hotel receptionist, obtain their room key and hide ripe cheese in their smalls.
8. Marc
Sounds crappy Sevitz. Not much you can do about people like that. You could try calling +33 3 88 35 31 04 and reporting them as terrorists. Hopefully they’ll get ear-marked for extraordinary rendition.
@Jamie - “Smell my Cheese” gag! How are those restraining orders working out for you?
9. Lori Smith
Sounds extremely annoying and I’m impressed at your temper-keeping skills. I think the post should be entitled “I almost hit a twat tonight” though. The twat’s gender is irrelevant. The cheese, however, is not. Hope it was good after all that!
10. I live with Frank Smith...
Never argue with idiots - they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
I think she’d have been fair game for a slap (not that I’ve hit anyone in my adult life, but still…) Worst case I think I’d have relieved her of the fork and chucked it away. You did extremely well to stay that calm.
11. Mark Jackman
You did the right thing. ‘Primark Women’ are adept in the art of combat. A swinging right hand from your good self would have been dodged with ease, and then you would have taken five simultaneous stillettos to the groin.
Jacko
12. Matt
I agree with Dan’s first comment.
I really hope they don’t fuck up the last few days of your holiday.
13. Adrian
@Danzor (1) Fixed.
@Danzor (2) Fortunately they left today. So our of the 10 days we had Bitch City for 4. Not the end of the world but amazing how annoying some people can be in 4 days.
@Gert (3) You nailed it spot on. Some people just don’t cope well in a world with ‘others’. I have no doubt they think we were entirely in the wrong, and waving a fork in my face and insulting us was completely appropriate behaviour to resolve a situation.
@nrgza (4) Actually they were all just as bad. I’m sure all her friends think she was a hero for standing up for the cheese line slow progression.
@Pete (6) It actually scared me a bit as to get riled so much. I’m normally a hard person to get that angry. I resented that someone could do that to me.
@Jack (7) You are correct, but I thought “just relax” was better than the alternative of “Shut the fuck up you pretentious arrogant inconsiderate whiney little bitch”
@Marc (8) Yeah you are correct, not much you can do about some people. I’ll content myself with the fact, I’m a decent guy and they’ll go through life being whiney inconsiderate bitches.
@Lori (9) The reason the post was titled with ‘woman’ was because I would never ever hit a women, nor in reality consider it. But she got me so angry that my fists were clenched in anger, and I had to make a conscious effort to keep my hands down, to not make the situation worse. Unlike her, where waving something in someone’s face always makes the confrontation escalate. Had I exploded I would not have hit her, but most likely let rip with a series of nasty expletives and then left the room and found some whiskey.
@ILwFS (10) I think in hindsight touching the fork was a bad idea and I should have just faced her down without contact. That said pushing the fork away from my face slowly took a lot of restraint. Your first comment is very spot on.
@Matt (12) They didn’t fuck things up, but did add a niggel that was unnecessary. I’m also still baffled as who goes to on a £100 night holiday and starts a fight. This is hardly some cheap chavvy bar.
14. Nigel
Sev,
I can’t believe you let a bunch of chavs wind you up so much. The only game to play with folk like this is reverse wind up. And it sounds like they were pretty easy to wind up.
Still, sorry that they spoiled a little bit of your holiday.
Hope you’re enjoying the rest of it.
More snow on its way apparently … which is a good thing.
N
15. cian
You should have got your girlfriend to kick the shit of her. Quick eye gouge and then knee the silly bint in the ladybits. Nothing wrong with a bit of girl on girl violence. (and sexytime of course).
16. Kristina
I cry when I’m angry - very embarrassing - and then I tell everyone that it’s just b/c I’m mad. Which it is, don’t know why I always feel the need to justify it. Enjoy your holiday and maybe drop a drink on the mean women. Oops, how did that happen ;)
17. Simon
why oh why does this kind of thing never happen to me?
18. Coops
Hey Sev - You’re lucky mate - you almost got forked… Should have done what I would have done - wait for her to turn around, shove her hard in the back then blame it on someone else.