Obviously when I was growing up there were plenty of people who were not of sound mind according to you.
One just did not throw snowballs at adults unless permitted to do so, either by the adult joining in or the adult's past joining, and even that sometimes didn't work.
I am of course making a contrast between an irrational response to childish fun (the situation as it really unfolded) and a rational one (a reasonable solution satisfactory to all parties.)
But you knew that.
Take care,