Verbal abuse in mackintosh

[warmac]

I was wandering around my local town in the rain wearing a long semi-transparent PVC mackintosh and black Hunter boots, my usual attire for such weather. Unlike the majority of the other shoppers, I was warm and dry, not to mention enjoying feeling rather aroused. The sound of shouting attracted my attention so I turned around to see a white van on the opposite side of the road. A large shaven headed man was leaning out of the passenger window of the van shouting all sorts of incomprehensible things which were clearly directed toward me. Most of the rant involved questioning my sexual orientation and were accompanied by fist shaking, pointing and "wanker" gestures. Whilst I ignored the chap, who perhaps had issues with his own identity, it was nonetheless a slightly disturbing experience.
In all the years I have been wearing my mackintoshes in public, I can count on one hand the number of times someone has "taken issue" with what I am wearing. I am careful where I go and do not dress in bright colours to attract unwarranted attention. On the contrary, I have had far more positive and admiring comments over the years. What disturbs me more is that this incident and a previous incident occurred in the past two months, I thought society had moved on to become more accepting and open. I am just wondering if anyone else had had a similar experience? Of course, such incidents will not prevent me from wearing what I want to wear.

[Rainworshipper]

The sort of people who carry out this abuse are thankfully a rarity. It reflects badly on themselves. Well done if it has not stopped you from wearing what you want.

[blackmacjay]

My gut feels is that the protestor would like to wear it but is scared.

Very sad but I do believe I could well be right.

[Smooth and shiny]

Sad fact of life that some people are always on the lookout for an opportunity to run someone else down, as you said Rainworshipper, it reflects badly on them. I wonder if they need to take a hard look at themselves in some respect.

[Johnnyrbr]

It is sadly a sign of the times. For some reason there are members of society that take great delight in abusing others in some way or another. Perhaps this man was with mates as he shouted and wanted to score 'Brownie points' with his mates having no self worth otherwise. Not sure which country you are in Warmac but wondered if folk from countries outside UK would like to comment

[mason]

Reading this made me feel so sad and angry.

Although most people actually don't care what kind of rainwear you are wearing (especially if it's wet), there is always that small, ignorant, idiot minority who really spoil it for me.

Their attitude towards anyone who dares to dress differently (i.e in shiny rainwear) really affect my confidence regarding wearing shiny rainwear anywhere. I would like to wear it ALL the time, not just on wet days, but...........................

I've never had any really nasty incidents other than one schoolgirl who looked at me like I was an alien when she spotted me in my new (shiny yellow) FarmerRain mac & matching rainboots. I've also had the occasional idiot who laughed openly upon seeing my green Rukka raincoat another occasion.

Australia does not have any kind of rainwear-wearing culture (other than Goretex) and anyone wearing shiny plastic or PVC tends to stand out.

On the other hand, I have worn my shiny blue PUL rain overalls and yellow rainboots to the supermarket and other shops without any incident - albeit I only wear it if it's very wet & cold. I'm actually quite suprised how few people paid me & my rainwear any attention whatsoever. Funnily enough, a few people were really interested in my one-piece rain overalls and they clearly liked them. I also wear my vintage plastic jelly jacket a lot, even if its not wet and I've never had any problems.

However, I haven't managed to find the confidence to wear my blue rain overalls (much less my rather bright yellow FarmerRain mac) around my local mall or even on a cool, overcast day.

And that's because of cunts like this truck driver.

[Rainwearboy]

We also wear rainwear in weather this is not looking like rain at all, and the only response we ever got were positive ones. I guess some people just have personal issues they tend to direct at others?

[warmac]

I must add that I if someone does comment it is mostly positive. Just that I have recently experienced two "shouting van men" when I have been out in my mackintosh.

[MissRachel]

Reading this made me feel so sad and angry.

Although most people actually don't care what kind of rainwear you are wearing (especially if it's wet), there is always that small, ignorant, idiot minority who really spoil it for me.

Their attitude towards anyone who dares to dress differently (i.e in shiny rainwear) really affect my confidence regarding wearing shiny rainwear anywhere. I would like to wear it ALL the time, not just on wet days, but...........................

I've never had any really nasty incidents other than one schoolgirl who looked at me like I was an alien when she spotted me in my new (shiny yellow) FarmerRain mac & matching rainboots. I've also had the occasional spaz who laughed openly upon seeing my green Rukka raincoat another occasion.

Australia does not have any kind of rainwear-wearing culture (other than Goretex) and anyone wearing shiny plastic or PVC tends to stand out.

On the other hand, I have worn my shiny blue PUL rain overalls and yellow rainboots to the supermarket and other shops without any incident - albeit I only wear it if it's very wet & cold. I'm actually quite suprised how few people paid me & my rainwear any attention whatsoever. Funnily enough, a few people were really interested in my one-piece rain overalls and they clearly liked them. I also wear my vintage plastic jelly jacket a lot, even if its not wet and I've never had any problems.

However, I haven't managed to find the confidence to wear my blue rain overalls (much less my rather bright yellow FarmerRain mac) around my local mall or even on a cool, overcast day.

And that's because of cunts like this truck driver.

1)All the post are really great.

2) It proves that we all need to be aware of our surroundings no matter what you are wearing or doing.

3) it makes me angry also. Wearing a piece of clothing triggering someone to act out???

4) It is sad to say that style and culture are evaporating in some quarters of civilization. Someday in the not to distant future everyone will be forced to wear those silly paper jump suits DEVO wore when performing their concerts (I am dating myself) and no one will be triggered into name calling!

[MissRachel]

Not exactly "verbal abuse" but an indicator of the rather sad modern attitude to sensible rainwear. About 10 years ago I was out with a male friend my age and my sister at an open air theatre in Regents Park London. Half way through the performance it started to spatter with rain, not enough at first to stop the performance but enough to get wet if you weren't properly protected. Anticipating rain I had put on my long shiny navy blue hooded PVC Jeantex raincoat (unfortunately even then being phased out so bought at a bargain price) that came down nearly to my ankles, so protected me completely even when sitting down. Looking around I noticed no-one else seemed properly equipped for the rain. Standing at the bar in the interval my sister said "you look like a pervert in that mack" to which I replied "well at least then I'm a dry pervert, unlike any these others in their flimsy "showerproofs." My friend, who knew I had a liking for this type of raingear, made no comment

Two thoughts:

1) first your sister is very rude

2) second I find most people resort to insults because they see the flaw in their own logic or foolish behavior. She may well have thought you were a good planner by bringing the coat along just in case it was needed but then moved to insults because she was lazy.