She demonstrated way more patience than I would have had.  That's the problem. She should not have needed patience.  She should have avoided them completely. When you are dealing with people who are trying to engage you, don't talk to them. Don't look at them.  Pretend they aren't there.  The language they speak is that any interaction is an invitation for further exchange: fight. They fight for fun -- they get together in huge mobs, show up in malls, and fight. They will fight if pregnant -- pregnancy means nothing to them.