lets all carry knives for protection then we will all be safe or better yet get a tank to drive to the shops, maybe strap bombs to your body then run at them screaming, all these promote peace and stop violence its been proven

I believe it was in his book The Theory of the Leisure Class that U.S. sociologist Thorstein Veblen used the phrase "spurious aristocracy" or something similar to describe what he saw as the lowest rung on the social ladder. This was back in the 1890s. Veblen described the "sprious aristocrats" as dandified layabouts who have a very flamboyant fashion style that they and they alone see as kind of "high-class." These people did no work (unlike the working poor) and spent their days idling about. They would turn to petty crime, grifting, small-time cons, and the like to make a penny when necessary. These people were basically failures who wouldn't do hard work because they thought it was benieth them.

Sounds like the Chav is today's UK version of the "spurious aristocrat."

wow im really sorry, same thing in the states no one will help if you are being attacked or harassed unless your lucky, glad to know you are ok damn how big is this knife you talking about, and if i may ask what is up with your avatar??




[edit on 18-8-2010 by truth_of_truth]

Mate, I've been on the receiving end of those wee rats here in Newcastle.
I found it hilarious to be honest.

I'm from Belfast and I've had my fair share of encounters over there, only we call them 'steeks' or 'hoods'.
I need to add, I have never had a fight in my life and never want to.

But in my first year at Uni in the Toon, I lived quite close to a small estate and the off license there had pretty cheap cider, so we'd go there for weekend booze.
Anyway, on the way to the shop, a gang of them - maybe 6 or 7 were doin the usual hangin around, fulfilling their lives (as they do).
As I walked, one said quite quietly, "givvuz a tab ya poof".
I nealy burst out laughing - I have a shaved head, beard and at that time, wore my biker jacket constantly. I looked like Nick Olivieri from Queens of the Stone Age apparently - not remotely what would be considered "...a poof".
So I ignored it and walked past and got the the shop, got what I needed and rolled a cigarette for the walk aback.

This time as I walked past smoking, the same wee ratbag said "I said givvuz a tab man".
So I said "sorry mate, I've no cigarettes" (which was technically true as I only had tobacco) - to which he unleashed a torrent of expletives about my mum.
So I turned back and roared "What the f*** did you just say ya wee s***?"

The funniest part was one of them (and it was a boy as far as I could tell) screamed "F**k - he's from Belfast" and the lot of them ran, shouting "sarry mate" behind them.
I was in creases of laughter on the way back, as were my flatmates.

They are a blight on society for sure, but their bravado exists only on the premise that you're scared of them.
They are most certainly not prepared for you not to be.
I like to think I would help someone out if, like the OP, they were being abused. The stickler is, you don't know what some of these kids are carrying, weapon-wise. They're sneaky and deceitful and wouldn't hesitate to all join in the fight.

To the OP - I'm glad you're ok mate. Avoid the wee ratbags if possible, and if all else fails, put on a Belfast accent!!!

Much love...

Yeah.. I had a similar experience visiting my family in the UK when I was living in Israel.. I live back in the West Midlands now, but at the time it was a shock.. For them..

I too went to the offy to get some cigs, and some chav trying to sound "ard" and "street" which sounds even more dumb in a Black Country accent, asked me "giz a fag mate," which i said to go buy his own on which he said "im banned from the shop innit", I said tough crap, then he and his mates started abusing me which to cut a long story short resulted in said chav wearing the bmx bike he was on... I enjoy these kind of confrontations..

But i david cameron is serious about us cleaning our own streets, he needs to get that into law now because it would be my total pleasure to happy slap some chav parents into taking proper care of their runts.. It takes a whole community to raise a child. I think Britain has lost site of that due to social engineering of subsequent governments..

what happened after they circled you..you have not quite finished your story. Did you pull the knife out and slashed em away?

Originally posted by truth_of_truth
wow im really sorry, same thing in the states no one will help if you are being attacked or harassed unless your lucky, glad to know you are ok damn how big is this knife you talking about, and if i may ask what is up with your avatar??

thanks, the main knife i carry is called a Cold Steel 49HK Mini Tac Kiridashi from camouflage in Vancouver Canada BC. I have bought around 6 for me and my Husband when we travel out to Van or the US. The knife comes with a Sheath and an attachment for securing to your body or round neck. It has a 3 inch blade and has a great handle for non slip.

I have always like collecting knives and weapons with my Husband but with the laws in the UK it a bit hard now. So we have a place in Vancouver and we go a bit mad over there. The Avatar is a Halloween joke having a Jewish girl dressed in a pink dress with a hilter mustache and Swastika. Just a bit of fun for an avatar. Nothing malicious about it.

[edit on 18-8-2010 by sassyncute]

That sucks brother I hope that never happens to you again, Consider yourself lucky you dont have to deal with real gangs(bloods,crips,ms13, brown pride,chings etc etc) that will actually kill you without reason. I've encountered chavs while visiting London and to be honest I wasn't impressed. Five pasty teens trying to talk "ghetto" with British accents I laughed at them and told them try threatening someone who didnt grow up in Queens, thats all it took I didnt even have to fight them.