Discipline in the house was rather lax, I take it?
I dunno, discipline didn't seem to be lax to me.
Parent's job = making kids self sufficient by simulating real life consequences. In this world, beating is no longer a real life consequence, and fear is a shorter term solution than discipline.
But nice try at a good old ad hominem, you got there.
So let me get this straight: I was supposed to let someone yell and berate me in the street just because they are older?
You're right, I could have said "Thanks maam," of course, leaving her with an impression that the action she just took was acceptable. Which I wasn't willing to do.
Edit: Are human beings by default deserving of consideration and politeness? If so, then she had no right to come up and yell and harass. If not, then I guess I'll start stealing and cheating.