The only people who talk about what assholes people in New York City are are the people who have never been there, let alone lived there.

Oh and PS this column itself is a pantheon to the passive aggressive plague the OP and so many others suffer from here in the PNW. You write about what you SHOULD have done, but of course you never would. You paint the guy wearing the NY hat as overly aggressive (which A, wearing that hat does not mean he's from NY, there are people who where those hates nationwide and B, what passive aggressives consider aggression is usually someone just being assertive or behaving normally).

As the owner of the aggressive dog, YOU are responsible for managing your non-socialized animal and YOU are responsible for getting out of the way of other people with that dog.

*wear those hats

LOL @ using "cocksucker" as an insult. Way to go I/A.

I am weary of people objecting to passive aggression. It may not be the ideal stance, but in many instances, it’s the safest. Imagine what it would be like if people were outright aggressive to every thing or one that doesn’t please them. Furthermore, since most everyone assumes they are perfect and make no mistakes, even a reasonable comment raises ire. That is why folks resort to passive aggression because it’s safe.

@veva2000 Passive aggression is not safe. And there is an option between aggression and passive aggression, it's called direct, assertive behavior. That is healthy and how emotionally stable, emotionally healthy interact with other human beings in the world. Passive aggression is a sickness that harms the passive aggressive person (eventually, in destroying their relationships and their jobs and their day to day actions) and harms those who are on the receiving end. Passive aggressive people are experts at redirecting their rage and making other people angry, making other people aggressive, and instigating confrontation which relieves their desire to release rage, all the while forcing someone else to do it. And then the passive aggressive person gets to open their eyes wide and say quietly, oh my I have no idea why they are so angry, what on earth was that all about?! Passive aggression is a serious mental disorder and it is not safe. It is sick.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/200806/afraid-rage-the-origins-passive-aggressive-behavior

The majority of teachers, parents, spouses and co-workers involved in daily interactions with passive aggressive individuals are ultimately beaten down by the relationship. Most end up feeling confused, angry, guilty, and doubtful about the stability of their own mental health. How is it possible for this destructive interpersonal pattern to occur over and over again with reasonable adults? How does it happen that the targeted adults end up accepting the blame and responsibility for this dysfunctional dynamic? The answer is clear and painful: they are unaware of the psychology of passive aggression.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passive-aggressive-diaries/201307/the-passive-aggressive-conflict-cycle

If a Yankees hat means someone's from New York, then half of Boston and Green Bay must've moved to this town.

Meanwhile, amen to No. 13's point about assertiveness. It's absolutely lost on this state. That middle ground isn't exercised because nobody sees it. And it affects everything here: Conversation, driving, discourse. If nobody's being assertive and just declaring what they want or actually accomplishing it, then you're just making backhanded comments and stewing on it until you're enraged. It explains a lot about the Marching Season that's occurred here during the last few summers.