What are you lookin at?

Foxhound38

Was walking in Talbot Street yesterday night, and across the road from me a group of absolute scumbags in shellsuits (young-ish - about 4 lads aged 21 or thereabouts) called out to me. Instinctively I looked up when called to, only to be asked "what are you lookin at?" by the likely lads. I walked on, only to be called to again asking me to go over to them because "they wanted to ask me a question". Again I walked on, sensing that the only "question" they wanted to ask me was whether I wanted a dig in the face or the stomach as they took my stuff. Finally, I was a bit down the road when they called out one last time that I was being "cheeky" for ignoring them.

It made me wonder though, if they wanted to throw a dig at me or whatever, why go through the ridiculous "what are you lookin at" routine? Why not just hop on me if that's their game, why try to get me to go over to them? How did "what are you lookin at" even start - it's a ridiculous statement.

Also, just what is the mindset of a bunch of lads standing on a street corner trying to intimidate people? What are they possibly getting out of it?

I Heart Internet

21 isn't young or youngish. A 21 year old is a grown man.

"What are you looking at" is a hook. Anything to get you engaged so scumbags can justify being scummy to you.

Eathrin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yG_jOdU47M

anncoates

Just reply: "Your aul one's jocks".

You'll get a hiding but it would still be funny.

Corvo

Should have said "Jimmy Saville wanabees?"

You would be in a coma for a month or two, but sure you'd get a giggle from it before blacking out

Czarcasm

"Where would ya be now if I hadn't called ya?"

barneygumble99

yore ma

laoch na mona

this is their form of what many less civilized call bant

old hippy

This happened all the time in the 70s and 80s. Just carry on walking. No harm done.

Foxhound38

Griffin1988 wrote: »

Should have said "Jimmy Saville wanabees?"

You would be in a coma for a month or two, but sure you'd get a giggle from it before blacking out

haha, think these idiots would have a bog what I was talking about if I mentioned Jimmy Saville

Foxhound38

old hippy wrote: »

This happened all the time in the 70s and 80s. Just carry on walking. No harm done.

Just seems to me that ordinary people minding their own business shouldn't have to put up with that sort of intimidation just for leaving their house to buy a loaf of bread. I really just don't understand what the lads get out of it - is it a "tough guy" play to their mates or what?

nocoverart

old hippy wrote: »

This happened all the time in the 70s and 80s. Just carry on walking. No harm done.

Jaysus, you really are an old hippy!

AnonoBoy

Foxhound38 wrote: »

It made me wonder though, if they wanted to throw a dig at me or whatever, why go through the ridiculous "what are you lookin at" routine?

Because they're f*cking morons.

Also, just what is the mindset of a bunch of lads standing on a street corner trying to intimidate people? What are they possibly getting out of it?

See my above answer.

MurdyWurdy

They're just bored and looking for something to take their minds off their miserable, crappy lives. If they wanted to jump you they would have done it. I do agree that you should be able to walk around without that kind of carry on.

Bad Santa

'Don't know, but it's looking back' - got me out of many a scrape as their own friends tend to start laughing at them then.

rednik

'I don't know, I haven't got my insect book with me'.

old hippy

nocoverart wrote: »

Jaysus, you really are an old hippy!

The "what are you looking at" opening gambit has been used longer than I've been alive.

Foxhound38

MurdyWurdy wrote: »

They're just bored and looking for something to take their minds off their miserable, crappy lives. If they wanted to jump you they would have done it. I do agree that you should be able to walk around without that kind of carry on.

I wonder what would have actually happened had I went over to them when called? Would be an interesting experiment, but not one I want to test out in a hurry!

D1stant

Foxhound38 wrote: »

It made me wonder though, if they wanted to throw a dig at me or whatever, why go through the ridiculous "what are you lookin at" routine? Why not just hop on me if that's their game, why try to get me to go over to them? How did "what are you lookin at" even start - it's a ridiculous statement.?

Because thats the most sophisticated strategy they can come up with to get your attention

You can see them brag afterwards

"I asked him what he was lookin at and when he came over to question my motivation I stabbed him in the hoop. Totally out manouvered the muppet"

barneygumble99

Just a bunch of inbred knuckle draggers who were too lazy to cross the road the road to fight, so they tried calling you over instead. Unsurprisingly they were too lazy to run after you when you didnt take the bait. Had they go their shell suits tucked into their socks and their hands down the front of it??

old hippy

barneygumble99 wrote: »

Just a bunch of inbred knuckle draggers who were too lazy to cross the road the road to fight, so they tried calling you over instead. Unsurprisingly they were too lazy to run after you when you didnt take the bait. Had they go their shell suits tucked into their socks and their hands down the front of it??

Actually, it was every much from "educated" Belvedere, Gonzaga etc types I'd hear it from as anyone else.

Foxhound38

barneygumble99 wrote: »

Just a bunch of inbred knuckle draggers who were too lazy to cross the road the road to fight, so they tried calling you over instead. Unsurprisingly they were too lazy to run after you when you didnt take the bait. Had they go their shell suits tucked into their socks and their hands down the front of it??

Yeah they had the socks thing (never understood that either - it somehow makes the shellsuit look even more dodgy and skangery, which is a hard thing to do).

barneygumble99

Foxhound38 wrote: »

Yeah they had the socks thing (never understood that either - it somehow makes the shellsuit look even more dodgy and skangery, which is a hard thing to do).

its so that one scumbag can identify another scum bag

smash

Foxhound38 wrote: »

What are they possibly getting out of it?

Hopefully they'll say it to the wrong person and they'll get a proper beat down out of it!

Foxhound38

It's the oddest thing

IK09

"What are you lookin at?!"

"I dunno, but its lookin back!"

"I never studied farmyard animals!"

Festy

" Your Da's boobs "