AITAH for going to bat for another woman?
Trigger warning because this could be classified as assault/dv
TLDR: Domestic situation in grocery store parking lot. I tried to verbally defend her and was cussed out for getting involved
So I (43f) was at the grocery store this morning as I am every Saturday morning. I got a later start than usual, I’m usually there by 8 but I didn’t get there until a little after 10 today.
Anyway, as I’m walking out the door after checking out, 2 male employees pushed past me and I thought “that was rude” but I heard one say “in the lot by the gas station” so I look in that direction and I see a male and a female yelling at each other. They’re close to my car so I’m thinking great.
She is 51 (I know this because one of the things she said was “I’m 51 years old and I’m not wasting anymore of my life with you”) and I wanna say he is in his late 40’s, early 50’s. She kept saying “no” “leave me alone” “don’t touch me” “get off me”. And he just kept saying “please just listen” “we can work this out”. I assume she was breaking up with him and he wouldn’t accept it.
Meanwhile people are gathering and watching. One of the employees was on the phone, maybe calling the cops? Families with kids are witnessing this. The couple was walking and pacing all over, just going at it. Her saying “leave me alone” and him begging.
Finally they got within 10 yards of me and i defended her. I yelled “no means no! Leave her alone!”
And this woman looked at me, walked towards me, and told me to mind my business and called me a b’tch. Fair enough on the “mind your business”. Maybe I should have. But when a woman tells a man “no” over and over, and he’s refusing? I have a problem with that.
But her yelling at me now instead of thanking me, continues to cuss me out and calls me names, I clapped back. “If you want people out of you business, take it somewhere private!”
They finally left the store lot and went to the neighboring one which has more people lol.
But I can’t help but think was I really the ah for trying to back her up? So many people mind their own business and bad things happen. I thought I was doing a good thing here. Maybe not smart. Maybe not safe. But good and right.
A woman 2 cars down from me did thank me. But did also say “this is why no one gets involved. It’s thankless and you’re mad to be the bad guy.”
Posted Sep 5, 2026, 3:50 PM UTC