Really? So, ignoring him would have deescalated the situation? Seems like it would have made him angrier.
Believe it or not, yes
Ignoring him would throw caution to him
By engaging him, you are putting your guard down with that conversation. That is what he wants
The easiest deflection is to say that you don’t have any cash. The more devious panhandlers watch for cash transactions and know you just broke a twenty or whatever, so that doesn’t always work. If they get aggressive with you, you’ve got to either leave quickly or get aggressive in return. Some will follow, so leaving isn’t always the best reaction. If you’re going to get accosted, it’s good to have a crowd, for witnesses and for assistance, sometimes strangers will help, they don’t like it either.
“Big mistake.
Really? So, ignoring him would have deescalated the situation? Seems like it would have made him angrier.”
I would not be bothered one iota if he died “angrier”.