Too good for them
Food for thought by Kenneth Roy in today’s Scottish Review.
http://www.scottishreview.net/index.shtml
My wife and I had a similar experience a few years back, having just ‘deplaned’ as they say in the US, from an international flight at Prestwick Airport. With a few other passengers we took the train to Glasgow; our companions on the platform were four youths with attitude, and with a couple of bottles of Buckfast between them. You know the type I mean; if you don’t, hold on to your innocence for as long as you can. Objectionable in word, and potentially in deed. The train arrived after a couple of minutes and we all got on. At the next station, the Buckfast Four got off, on the orders of the conductor, who wasn’t having them necking cheap wine on his train. And quite right too.
What’s this, you ask? QJ joining the Alan Pollock Tendency? No, not at all. There is a world of difference between that of which Ken Roy complains, and which I saw for myself, and that of the young man who was assaulted by the fat bloke with the approval of another train conductor. Rightly or wrongly, that kid thought he had a point to make. Generally those who engage in anti-social behaviour do not, and should be dealt with more robustly by those in authority. If I have a criticism to make of Ken Roy’s bus driver it is that he let those yobs off with a warning.
As I consider this issue, I am reminded of an old Lanarkshire saying, applied to the likes of Peter Manuel. ‘Hangin’s too good for them. It’s a good kick up the arse they need.’
Quintin Jardine's blog 
I was interested in your final comment and believe that you hit upon both the problem and the solution in one line. My Dad was a village bobby in the Rhondda valleys in the 50s – a very rough area. He would often issue summary justice to stroppy teenagers (or older) who had transgressed. The last thing they would do, would be to go home and complain to their dad or the local police station. I know of a few local skates who have thanked my dad for helping them find the straight and narrow. Today there is no deterent. School teachers, police officers and even parents cannot issue minor physical punishment without risking a criminal record. No one likes pain, but minor chastisement never did me any harm. How do we expect kids to learn respect?
The other issue is the gang culture. In the review example and your personal experience, it was a group of lads who were being obnoxious. I dare say get them on their own, and you would not be able to distinguish them from field mice.
My wife says I am a grumpy old man………… Humbug!!
Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy, prosperous and inspirational new year.
followed up your mention of the scottish review – superb, thanks for the pointer I’ve signed up!