I'm with you, 16th ave. That guy was totally out of line. I would probably have told him if he wants to "pop" my kid, he'd have to "pop" me first. As in, "let's see how brave you are now"...

Naturally she would get a piece of my mind about being rude to strangers, but later, in private - not in front of said stranger. When others are present, I'd always take my kid's side.