there's probably a documented name for this phenomenon but a few days ago i had something of a revelation about approaching confrontation when i went after yet another owner of an unleashed dog at a park, this time chasing a rabbit into the reeds where i was crouched and scaring the shit out of me and several birds. the confrontation went exactly as follows:
me: "whose fucking dog is this?"
dog owner: "it's mine!"
me: "are you going to put a leash on that thing?"
DO "yes, i'm working on it."
me "why would you take a dog to a park with wildlife and let it off leash?"
DO: [silence]
me: "why would you do that???"
DO: "because i'm an asshole."
me: "... uh. yeah. good job, because you're an asshole."
i then left, a little bit stunned by that response, and we very pointedly avoided each other for the rest of our respective walks at the park. it occurred to me that what brought out that answer involved not making a single accusation, only demands for an explanation-- not unlike asking someone to explain a tasteless joke, sometimes the best approach to making people realize they've done something stupid is making them explain it themselves.
anyway, dog lady will likely never see this, but cheers to you for admitting you were an asshole. maybe next time you consider letting your high-efficiency rabbit-killing machine off leash you'll think twice and remember the raving maniac that stumbled out of the reeds and publicly humiliated you.
Truth coming out of their grass to shame Susan
